Category Archives: Parent

The Teacher’s Kid – It’s not what you think…

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I had the opportunity this evening to enter into a discussion with a colleague: a fellow teacher who is also the parent of a five-year-old Autistic son. So as we talked this man commented, “It is great that you are … Continue reading →

Posted in Activist, Advocacy, Autism, childhood, Disability, Educator, neurodivergent, Parent, prejudice, Teacher | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Crossing the line: The Danger of Compliance

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

As Amy Sequenzia so eloquently states: “ABA is not only abusive to Autistic children, it makes ableism and abuse acceptable. “Experts” want 40 hours/week of this and parents who don’t comply can lose their children. ABA creates a culture of … Continue reading →

Posted in ABA, ableism, Autism, Behaviour, Compliance, family, Intervention, Parent | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Painting the Dog and Love as Self-care

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

My brain is full of stuff that I am trying to work through – and I trust in the process – really I do… but I have to remind myself of this – or I can get in the way. … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Autism, connections, Parent | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Forward and back…16 years of Ausome!

Posted on November 22, 2014 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

This fabulous young man turned 16 today… It was a day of looking back and looking forward… a low-key, laid-back day with very few demands. In reality, today was a sort of culmination of small birthday events that have been … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, Advocacy, Autism, Autistic, B films, Parent, privilege, Rail Against Stigma, Space and Pace, TASH | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Voting “yes” – because I trust you… #bced

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Yup… Voting ‘yes’ and that vote is not saying that I think this is a good deal… because it is not… But it is better than I think we would get if we were legislated back… and I trust, respect … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, BC Teachers Federation, BCTF, Christy Clark, Collective Responsibility, family, Parent, Public Education, social justice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

MLA… MIA – What’s the Diff?!? #bced

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

The [neo]Liberal elected representatives of our Provincial Government are refusing to meet with constituents to discuss the current crisis in education in British Columbia. One MLA posted this outside his office. To be fair… he did so after children wielding… … Continue reading →

Posted in Christy Clark, Collective Responsibility, Educator, Parent, Teacher | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Megan Metcalfe: I don’t want you to “negotiate” #BCTF #bced

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

The following is a guest post by BC Parent, Megan Metcalfe: I sent a letter to Christie Clark’s office, Peter Fassbender’s office, and my MLA about two weeks ago. I got a response just today. It was addressed from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christy Clark, Collective Responsibility, Educator, Parent, Public Education, Silence, Special Education | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Not alone… #BCTF #BCFED #TeachersStrike

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Yesterday evening, along with other members of my district’s local, I went to the BC Federation of Labour’s rally in Vancouver to support the BCTF and it was heartening to see the support from so many unions and members of … Continue reading →

Posted in Activist, Autism, BC Teachers Federation, BCTF, Educator, Parent, Public Education, social justice, Special Education, Teacher | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Papa, the Shillelagh, and a head in the clouds….

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

As I was growing up, I recall my mother often seemed practically concerned about my fanciful ways and ideas, and my tendency to have my head somewhat ‘in the clouds.’ My mother might be considered a bit of a worrier, … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Autism, family, Father, Humour, language, Parent | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Fear, Hate, and Exclusion: It’s time to silence Autism Speaks!

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I will begin with the words of my son, H, when he was 13: “I am not a tragedy and autism is a part of who I am. Mom – autism means I think differently… and that is a good … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, Autism, autism stigma, Autistic People Speaking, Educator, Neurodiversity, Parent, Special Education | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments