Category Archives: HFASD

Appreciation for my school district and colleagues

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I have to send a shout-out to my school district and colleagues for their wonderful reception and response to my keynote address for our Student Services Training Day. I love presenting, and do so rather often – but today was … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Aspergers, Autism, Autism Positivity, diversity, Documentary, HFASD, inclusion, promote social understanding, Public Education, self-advocacy, Special Education, Teacher, Vectors of Autism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Adding the I to IEP: H is at the table

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

There was another first for our 13-year-old this week. We worked with the wonderful team at H’s Distributed Learning School to update his Individual Education Plan (IEP) and for the first time ever H was there to take part. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Autism, Distance Education, Distributed Learning, Goals, HFASD, IEP, inclusion, scaffolding, self-advocacy, Shame, Special Education | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Cleaning H’s Room: Aaack! Will we ever move on from this?

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

H is a collector! He is a collector of facts, like the Amazing Craig (H’s Dad) and like myself! And also like me… he is a collector of stuff! We both love thrift stores and the thrill of a treasure … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Aspergers, Autism, executive function, HFASD, Indiana Jones, Journey, Michael Jackson, Parent, Star Trek, Star Wars | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Mom… tell me what I did wrong: Autism and Social Development

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

In my role as an educator I often remind others (myself included) to consider that H and others like him who are Autistic are working doubly hard to make their way in the world. The effort my child makes to … Continue reading →

Posted in aproximating typical, Aspergers, Autism, Goals, handling discomfort, HFASD, Parent, Social cognition, Tears | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

Approximating typical: navigating the label “high functioning autism”

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

School can be a difficult place for children on the Autism spectrum. It can be particularly tricky for those who approximate typical, who seem almost to be like everyone else. These are the children who are sometimes referred to as … Continue reading →

Posted in Aspergers, HFASD, Neurotypical, promote social understanding | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 45 Comments