Should Special Kids Take Standardized Tests? Intelligent Lives
Last updated on September 16th, 2018 at 02:57 pm
While you and your child might be excited about the new backpack, lunch box and outfits back to school also brings a lot of anxiety for students with learning challenges and special needs and their parents. Not only will they be subjected to homework and (gulp) tests, there is something else looming on the horizon – intelligence testing.
You have probably heard the quote “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Usually that is credited to Albert Einstein, although it has never actually been proven that he said it. I hope he said it, since he didn’t speak until he was three or four years old. Ironically, being unable to speak is sometimes defined as being ‘dumb” and yet Einstein was clearly very intelligent.
Intelligence testing, standardized tests and many other official exams are often unfairly biased against people with challenges, no matter how many accommodations are provided. It is disheartening and degrading to the student and the results can be devastating to the parents. We know our children are struggling, we know where they have strengths and weaknesses but we also know they have so much potential. The data presented in cold, hard print can be crushing.
Lately I have been opting my child out of as many of these tests as possible. I don’t need to put her through the frustration of a long test, and I don’t need a paper to tell me how she measures up against the rest of the students her age. She isn’t in a competition with the rest of the students in her grade in the state – she is only in competition with herself, to do her best each day and move along at her own pace. If you want to opt out of any standardized tests, contact your child’s school.
We don’t have to be at the level of Einstein to have a happy life. A new film called INTELLIGENT LIVES looks at three young adults with intellectual disabilities as they take on high school, college, employment and relationships. The film was directed by Dan Habib. Amy Brenneman served as the executive producer. Academy Award-winning actor Chris Cooper narrates the film and also shares the story of his son. You can host a screening in your area or attend one, just check out the website https://intelligentlives.org/
Sat. Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is Sensory Friendly
Last updated on August 13th, 2018 at 08:10 pm
Since 2007, AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other special needs “Sensory Friendly Films” every month – a wonderful opportunity to enjoy fun new films in a safe and accepting environment. Tomorrow, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is Sensory Friendly at AMC.
Sensory Friendly Films was born when Marianne Ross, of Elkridge Maryland took her seven year old daughter, Meaghan, to a matinee to see a movie starring one of her favorite actors. She intentionally picked an early showing figuring there would be fewer people there, but when Meaghan saw her favorite guy on the big screen she began to flap her hands, dance, twirl and jump up and down. Unfortunately a few other movie-goers complained to staff, and the manager asked the Ross’ to leave.
It occurred to Marianne there were probably a lot of people who found themselves in similar situations – or worse yet, didn’t even try to go see a movie for fear of the possible outcome. The next day, she called her local AMC Theatre and asked if Dan Harris, the manager, would be willing to set up a special screening for children on the autism spectrum. Dan not only took her suggestions, but made it even more sensory friendly.
The movie auditoriums would have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. 
Families would be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there would be no advertisements or previews before the movie and it would be totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing. It was a huge success! On this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
Families affected by autism or other special needs can view a sensory friendly screening of Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation on Saturday, July 28th at 10am (local time). Tickets are typically $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Coming in August: TBD
****************************************************************************************************************************
Editor’s note: Although Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation has been chosen by the AMC and the Autism Society as this month’s Sensory Friendly Film, we do want parents to know that it is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for some action and rude humor. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your family.
Tues. at AMC, Mama Mia! Here We Go Again is Sensory Friendly
Last updated on July 30th, 2018 at 02:25 pm
As always, the movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your kid. No angry stares from 
other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
AMC and the Autism Society will be showing Mama Mia! Here We Go Again as a sensory friendly feature film tomorrow, Tuesday, July 24th at 7pm (local time). Tickets can be as low as $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Still to come in July: Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (Sat. 7/28)
****************************************************************************************************************************
Editor’s note: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again has been chosen by AMC and the Autism Society for a Tuesday Sensory Friendly “Mature Audience” screening. Parents should be advised that it is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for some suggestive material . As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your family.
Summer and Beyond: How to Get Your Special Needs Child To Read
Last updated on July 3rd, 2020 at 03:08 pm
Many schools have started assigning Summer Reading to keep kids in good habits and also to avoid the dreaded summer brain drain, where they lose some of the skills learned during the academic year due to lack of practice. Sometimes the reading assignment can be fun, like a competition to see who reads the most pages or books or minutes. Sometimes it can be a straight assignment like a project or a report. But even if your school doesn’t specifically assign any reading, it’s a good idea to encourage your kids to keep reading all summer long.
I know many kids with special needs or learning challenges absolutely hate reading. It is truly unpleasant for them, so who can blame them? For now there are other ways to make books appealing. When my kids were little we used them to play games like The Floor is Lava and Dominoes. Then I read the books to them after play time. Reading to your child is important even if you think they are “too old” for it – they are not. Something as simple as “Hey, this is interesting, listen…” may get them motivated to explore (or listen) further.
Ideas to keep kids reading – or get them reading
- Let them read whatever they want – manga, movie novelizations, comic books all count. I even let my daughter read a toy catalogue once because it was the only thing that motivated her.
- Let your child be your tour guide. This works on vacation or locally. Let them do research on a location that interests them and pick out some place to visit. This also works with restaurants and reading menus.
- Take them to the library. Check your local locations for puppet shows, clubs or events…and hey, look, there are lots of books, too! Maybe one will catch their eye. Again, let them choose. You may not want to read a novel with a gory zombie on the cover but if it gets them interested, so be it.
- Bring books to places where you will be waiting, like doctors and dentists appointments. Put baskets of them in the bathroom.
- Audio books can also help kids with visual processing and other challenges. Many are free online through your local library or other sites – just do a quick search.
- Who are your child’s heroes? There are biographies on every historical figure, sports star and celebrity.
- Yes, it’s okay to let them reread Harry Potter again – as long as you get them thinking about what they noticed this time that they never did before.
Another way to get kids with special needs or challenges interested in a book is if the story is about a kid with challenges. Students will recognize their own struggles and situations and pick up some new strategies. Feel free to read the books yourself – grownups may learn some of the clever ways these kids avoid work and play their teachers.
Here are some reading suggestions about children with special needs for teens. Ask a bookstore employee, teacher or librarian for other suggestions.
- Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper features a girl with cerebral palsy
- Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt follows a girl and her older brother as they discover they have dyslexia
- El Deafo by Cece Bell, a graphic novel about a girl with a clunky hearing aid
Have you or your child read a great book lately? Let us know about it!
Ant-Man and The Wasp are Sensory Friendly 2x This Week at AMC
Last updated on July 15th, 2018 at 07:24 pm
As always, the movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your child. No angry stares from 
other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
AMC and the Autism Society will be showing Ant-Man and The Wasp as a sensory friendly feature film tomorrow, Tuesday, July 10th at 7pm and Saturday, July 14th at 10am (local time). Tickets can be as low as $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Still to Come in July: Mama Mia! Here We Go Again (Tues. 7/24); Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (Sat. 7/28)
****************************************************************************************************************************
Editor’s note: Although Ant-Man and the Wasp has been chosen by AMC and the Autism Society for a Sensory Friendly screening, parents should be advised that it is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for some sci-fi action violence. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your family.
Tues. at AMC, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is Sensory Friendly
Last updated on July 15th, 2018 at 07:32 pm
As always, the movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your child. No angry stares from 
other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
AMC and the Autism Society will be showing Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom as a sensory friendly feature film tomorrow, Tuesday, June 26th at 7pm (local time). Tickets can be as low as $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Coming in July: Ant-Man and The Wasp (Tues. 7/10 & Sat. 7/14); Mama Mia! Here We Go Again (Tues. 7/24); Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (Sat. 7/28)
****************************************************************************************************************************
Editor’s note: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom has been chosen by AMC and the Autism Society for a Tuesday Sensory Friendly “Mature Audience” screening. Parents should be advised that it is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for intense sequences of science-fiction violence and peril. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your family.
