December – really?

I must remember not to blink – it seems like every time I do, another month (or more!) whips by me! Do you feel that way?

SPD Canada has been enormously busy, but all in amazing positive advocating ways. SPD Canada was so fortunate to be involved in the trade show at the Alberta Teachers’ Association special needs conference www.specialeducation.ab.ca. It was held in beautiful Kananaskis country, and I drove there with a dear friend of mine Diane Luzny, owner and operator of InnovAid www.innovaid.ca. For both of us, it was the first time we had attended this trade show, and we were excited to know that there were over 780 delegates attending.

My hope was to meet and talk with at least 100 of those delegates and I can say with great glee that I spoke to, and handed out brochures, to over 200! So many great teachers, educational assistants, psychologists, and others, were so receptive and positive and eager to learn more about SPD. And it gets even better!

Erik Linthorst www.autisticlike.com was the keynote speaker at this event and was also interested in SPD Canada. He was so gracious, and speaking to him was like talking to family. We spoke the same language; we had the same frustrations and fierce sense of determination and resiliency to not give up, not let go, and not let our children’s future be determined by a diagnosis with or without recognition in the DSM. Erik spoke on Sunday to over 500 delegates on SPD. I beamed with pride, for Erik, for the teachers/professionals and for all of you. We are out there and making a difference. That I promise you.

Our next big event was the research symposium of the SPD Foundation www.spdfoundation.net, recently in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of attending these conferences and symposiums – not only will you walk away with research from the Foundation, paediatric neurologists, psychologists, occupational therapists, vision therapists and speech pathologists, but equally important, you will come to a place where everyone speaks the same language. There is a sense of home coming and acceptance, and a sense of worldwide unification.

SPD Canada was so honoured at this event to receive an International Advocacy Award from the SPD Foundation. It was a shock and pleasant surprise, and it is something I will remember for the rest of my life. This award goes to all the dedicated volunteers on the SPD Canada Board, as well as all of you who are advocating for your children, your students, your grandchildren and any others impacted by SPD. This award is for all of us who diligently, day and night, advocate for children and adults with SPD. Congratulations to all of you for giving them the voice they deserve!

I met Carrie Fannin from www.sensoryplanet.com and Hartley www.hartleysboys.com, both great websites to join parent to parent and have more support. Ida Zelaya from www.sensorystreet.com is a dear friend who has worked hard and posted a plethora of free downloadables on her website to benefit all of you. We have great news for all of you: Exceptional Family Magazine www.exceptionalfamily.ca are running an article written by Rebecca Summach O.T. www.growingchanges.ca and SPD Canada on SPD. We are thrilled to bits and so thankful to Aviva Engel for allowing this story to be presented in their magazine!!!!

The Christmas season will soon be here, and with so much variance in schedules at school and at home, remember to keep this season as simple as possible, with many body breaks throughout the day. Routine both at school and during the Christmas break is so important to our children. Like us, they need their visual day timers to know what is coming next and for how long. Visual timers are a life saver for our family – if you don’t have that, then the beeper timer on the microwave is the next best thing.

From all of us at SPD Canada, we wish all of you Season’s Greetings, and may 2011 bring all of us more strength and knowledge and understanding and may we grow into this disorder with sincere collaboration.

Cheers

Lori Fankhanel