Chase Jordan
Staff Writer Lee's Summit Tribune
Autism awareness was at the forefront this week in Lee's Summit. Autism Speaks celebrated the day at the SummitWoods Crossing shopping center on Wednesday. The Lee's Summit Autism Support Group hosted Autism Awareness Night at Beauchamp's on the Rail Restaurant on Thursday. "When we get together as a community and as a family you realize that you're not alone," said Kirsten Sneid, a volunteer for Autism Speaks and a parent of two children with autism.
On Dec.18, 2007, the United Nations declared April 2 as World Autism Day.
Karen Horn, of the Autism Alliance of Greater Kansas City, read a proclamation from Lee's Summit Mayor Karen Messerli, marking April 2 as World Autism Day here. After the proclamation was read, blue and white balloons were launched into the air. "As the balloons lift into the air, may our hopes soar with them as we reach forward together bringing better compassion and awareness to those affected by autism in the by-state area and around the world," Horn said to the audience. Amy Brockelmeyer, of EFECT, has a daughter diagnosed with autism. "It's something people can't ignore. The statistics are growing," Brockelmeyer said. "There's got to be a reason for this to be happening. A day like this will bring to light how remarkable and how important the statistics are for people who don't think about it everyday like we do." Kelly Knosby, of Lone Jack, said it was a good time for families to come together. She attended the event with her sons, Matthew and Blaine. "I think it's important to show solidarity," Knosby said. A portion of the proceeds from the Beauchamp's event was donated to the Autism Alliance of Greater Kansas City. Lee's Summit Support Group co-founders Sherri Tucker and Debra Shaumeyer invited the Autism Alliance to the event.
"It's just amazing the number of people who are still not aware of the disability of autism," said Robin Russell, Autism Alliance member. "We just need to raise awareness to the community, so the community will accept our children."
Mike Sharp, Jackson County sheriff candidate, attended the event. He said he has a nephew who is autistic. "I know the trials and tribulations that we go through as a family having to deal with him on a daily basis," Sharp said.
Lorinda Gravel, of the Autism Alliance, said her 15-year-old son, Justin, is non-verbal.
"It's hard in the beginning because you go through a grieving process just like when someone has died," Gravel said. "It's hard because you think you have a regular developing kid then all of a sudden boom...
"He's the biggest love-bug you'll ever meet," Gravel said. "I wouldn't trade him for the world."
Several special guests and celebrities attended, including former Kansas City Chiefs players Deron Cherry, Kimble Anders and Anthony Davis. The Royals Blue Crew was also there.
"Anytime you can come out and give support to a cause that means something that's important to someone, I always like to do that," said Davis, a former linebacker for the Chiefs. "This is a great cause."
Autism Alliance volunteer Cory Mickelson helped arrange Autism Awareness Night at Royals Stadium. He said there were about 100 tickets left to be sold for the event.
State Rep. Jeff Grisamore, of Lee's Summit, attended the event and said advocating for individuals with disabilities, especially children and their families, is his highest legislative priority.
"The needs for the disabled and those in the disability community should receive the first portion of government funding," Grisamore said.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Sparks Fly at Lee's Summit Candidate Forums
Sparks fly at Lee's Summit candidates forums
R-7 board challenger, incumbents clash
By Brett DaltonThe Journal Staff
Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2008 8:04 PM CDT
At this week's two candidate forums, Sherri Tucker wasted no time explaining why she's running for one of the three at-large R-7 Board of Education seats."I have no reason to run for the school board other than my commitment to children with disabilities," said Tucker, who has a 14-year-old son with autism.As the only challenger to the three incumbents- Jon Plaas, Jeff Tindle and Jack Wiley - running for re-election Tucker spent much of her speaking time at two forums hosted by the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday and Wednesday criticizing the R-7 School District for what she believes is a lack of services and support for students with special needs."I'm running for school board because I believe that there is a segment of children who are being left behind, and I will not let that happen," said Tucker, who helped found the Lee's Summit Autism Support Group.The incumbents, however, dissented the audience that the role of the school board members is to make decisions based on the best interests of the entire school district, not one certain population of students."The job of the school board is not to micromanage," said Wiley, who joined the board in 2005. "We deal at the 30,000-foot level, not the 25-yard level. We serve as advocates of education - not for a single group, but for all students."
Tindle, seeking his fourth term on the board, said making decisions based on individual scenarios would cause the "district and its structure to collapse.""We must make decisions on the school board in your best interest as a general public, and that is making decisions for the district as a whole," Tindle said. "That sometimes means we're not making decisions in one child's best interest or a certain group's best interest."Plaas, a two-term member of the board, said school board members must represent all students, not a particular number. He referenced Tucker's statement that around 250 students in the R-7 School District are on the autism spectrum. To make his point, Plaas rounded that number up to 300.
"I have a great deal of empathy for Ms. Tucker and her situation," Plaas said. "(But) if we set aside a board seat for this special interest group with 300 students, then we have another six special interest groups (that want a board seat), pretty soon we have seven seats set aside and 2,100 kids covered. What about the other 15,000 students? And by the way, what about the other stakeholders - the parents, taxpayers, teachers, administrators?"Tucker, who has called for the district to provide better programs and trained teachers for students with special needs, replied to Plaas by saying she's not asking for a seat to be set aside, but rather for the community to give her the votes needed to take the seat. She also said the board needs a member who fully understands what it's like to have a child with special needs."I don't think you can put somebody on the school board who doesn't understand special needs and expect them to understand our unique needs," she said. "The kids with special needs need special services, and I think that's something that needs to be addressed and something the school board is not addressing right now."The candidates discussed specific issues such as No Child Left Behind and the district's proposed $54 million no-tax-increase bond issue and Prop C waiver continuance, which also is a no-tax-increase proposal.Earlier in the current school year, the R-7 School District was placed on the "District Improvement Level 1" list after two sub-groups - students with special needs and those who speak English as a second language - failed to meet the adequate yearly progress standards set by the federally mandated NCLB. Because those sub-groups failed to make AYP, the district as a whole failed, as well, according to NCLB standards.Shortly after the results of the 2007 Missouri Assessment Program tests were released, R-7 Superintendent David McGehee sent a letter to parents explaining why the district didn't make AYP and assuring parents that most students - aside from the two sub-groups - performed well on the MAP tests.
Tucker told the Journal earlier this year that she thought the district was blaming the failing sub-groups for "dragging them down," and said at Tuesday's forum that the school district would like to see NCLB "go away" and not have to face the accountability the law provides. The incumbents disagreed."I absolutely disagree with the comment that was previously offered that this school district would like (NCLB) to go away," Tindle said. "I've been on this board for nine years and I've never, ever heard that said."The incumbents all agreed that NCLB is a positive law that, like most federal mandates, has its flaws, as well.
On the topic of the no-tax-increase bond issue appearing on the April 8 ballot, Tucker and the incumbents disagreed on certain aspects of the proposed projects. Tucker expressed particular concern with the district's plan to use $2 million from the bond to renovate the former administrative office building on Miller Street to use as a school for special needs kids. Tucker argued that if the building is in good enough shape to use as a school building, then perhaps it was still good enough to keep the administrative offices in.She also argued that perhaps the money that will be used to renovate the building should go toward training teachers for special needs students.The incumbents responded by citing figures that show Tucker and the audience that renovating the Miller building will allow the district to educate special needs students who are now being sent to other school districts who have special needs specialists and programs in place. That change also will save the district money, Plaas said, as the district currently pays a significant amount of money to send those students to other districts. He added that the money saved will go toward hiring more special needs specialists for the R-7 School District.Wiley also countered Tucker's claim by saying that bond funds can only be used for physically building a facility and not for staff or administrators' needs, such as training.Tindle somewhat advocated for re-election of the three incumbents, saying "the current board works well together" and stating that the board only has power as a group, not as individuals. To that, Tucker responded she "can play as a team, as long as the team wants to play."During his closing comments on Wednesday, Plaas made a comment that seemed to sum up the message from the three incumbents during the campaign.
"I believe special-interest-group advocacy needs to be done from the podium in front of the board and not from a board seat," he said.Voters will decide who will sit on the next school board during the April 8 election.
R-7 board challenger, incumbents clash
By Brett DaltonThe Journal Staff
Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2008 8:04 PM CDT
At this week's two candidate forums, Sherri Tucker wasted no time explaining why she's running for one of the three at-large R-7 Board of Education seats."I have no reason to run for the school board other than my commitment to children with disabilities," said Tucker, who has a 14-year-old son with autism.As the only challenger to the three incumbents- Jon Plaas, Jeff Tindle and Jack Wiley - running for re-election Tucker spent much of her speaking time at two forums hosted by the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday and Wednesday criticizing the R-7 School District for what she believes is a lack of services and support for students with special needs."I'm running for school board because I believe that there is a segment of children who are being left behind, and I will not let that happen," said Tucker, who helped found the Lee's Summit Autism Support Group.The incumbents, however, dissented the audience that the role of the school board members is to make decisions based on the best interests of the entire school district, not one certain population of students."The job of the school board is not to micromanage," said Wiley, who joined the board in 2005. "We deal at the 30,000-foot level, not the 25-yard level. We serve as advocates of education - not for a single group, but for all students."
Tindle, seeking his fourth term on the board, said making decisions based on individual scenarios would cause the "district and its structure to collapse.""We must make decisions on the school board in your best interest as a general public, and that is making decisions for the district as a whole," Tindle said. "That sometimes means we're not making decisions in one child's best interest or a certain group's best interest."Plaas, a two-term member of the board, said school board members must represent all students, not a particular number. He referenced Tucker's statement that around 250 students in the R-7 School District are on the autism spectrum. To make his point, Plaas rounded that number up to 300.
"I have a great deal of empathy for Ms. Tucker and her situation," Plaas said. "(But) if we set aside a board seat for this special interest group with 300 students, then we have another six special interest groups (that want a board seat), pretty soon we have seven seats set aside and 2,100 kids covered. What about the other 15,000 students? And by the way, what about the other stakeholders - the parents, taxpayers, teachers, administrators?"Tucker, who has called for the district to provide better programs and trained teachers for students with special needs, replied to Plaas by saying she's not asking for a seat to be set aside, but rather for the community to give her the votes needed to take the seat. She also said the board needs a member who fully understands what it's like to have a child with special needs."I don't think you can put somebody on the school board who doesn't understand special needs and expect them to understand our unique needs," she said. "The kids with special needs need special services, and I think that's something that needs to be addressed and something the school board is not addressing right now."The candidates discussed specific issues such as No Child Left Behind and the district's proposed $54 million no-tax-increase bond issue and Prop C waiver continuance, which also is a no-tax-increase proposal.Earlier in the current school year, the R-7 School District was placed on the "District Improvement Level 1" list after two sub-groups - students with special needs and those who speak English as a second language - failed to meet the adequate yearly progress standards set by the federally mandated NCLB. Because those sub-groups failed to make AYP, the district as a whole failed, as well, according to NCLB standards.Shortly after the results of the 2007 Missouri Assessment Program tests were released, R-7 Superintendent David McGehee sent a letter to parents explaining why the district didn't make AYP and assuring parents that most students - aside from the two sub-groups - performed well on the MAP tests.
Tucker told the Journal earlier this year that she thought the district was blaming the failing sub-groups for "dragging them down," and said at Tuesday's forum that the school district would like to see NCLB "go away" and not have to face the accountability the law provides. The incumbents disagreed."I absolutely disagree with the comment that was previously offered that this school district would like (NCLB) to go away," Tindle said. "I've been on this board for nine years and I've never, ever heard that said."The incumbents all agreed that NCLB is a positive law that, like most federal mandates, has its flaws, as well.
On the topic of the no-tax-increase bond issue appearing on the April 8 ballot, Tucker and the incumbents disagreed on certain aspects of the proposed projects. Tucker expressed particular concern with the district's plan to use $2 million from the bond to renovate the former administrative office building on Miller Street to use as a school for special needs kids. Tucker argued that if the building is in good enough shape to use as a school building, then perhaps it was still good enough to keep the administrative offices in.She also argued that perhaps the money that will be used to renovate the building should go toward training teachers for special needs students.The incumbents responded by citing figures that show Tucker and the audience that renovating the Miller building will allow the district to educate special needs students who are now being sent to other school districts who have special needs specialists and programs in place. That change also will save the district money, Plaas said, as the district currently pays a significant amount of money to send those students to other districts. He added that the money saved will go toward hiring more special needs specialists for the R-7 School District.Wiley also countered Tucker's claim by saying that bond funds can only be used for physically building a facility and not for staff or administrators' needs, such as training.Tindle somewhat advocated for re-election of the three incumbents, saying "the current board works well together" and stating that the board only has power as a group, not as individuals. To that, Tucker responded she "can play as a team, as long as the team wants to play."During his closing comments on Wednesday, Plaas made a comment that seemed to sum up the message from the three incumbents during the campaign.
"I believe special-interest-group advocacy needs to be done from the podium in front of the board and not from a board seat," he said.Voters will decide who will sit on the next school board during the April 8 election.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Missouri Autism Blue Ribbon Panel Makes Decisions
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It is the fastest growing disorder in the country, but services for families are slow to catch up.Those are the conclusions from a report about the “state of autism” in Missouri. However, there is a blueprint for change in the works.Autism-spectrum disorder affects one out of 150 kids born in the country. On Wednesday, lawmakers came to Kansas City to let families know they are ready to respond to what they label a “crisis.”Before delivering details of the report, lawmakers toured ABC 'n D in Kansas City. The facility is just one of the metro's centers for autism, a brain disorder that prevents normal social skills in an alarming number of kids.Through intense one-on-one training at an early age, the goal of the center is to get kids ready to succeed in the classroom. Early detection and treatment is proven to dramatically influence the severity of the disorder.Senator Michael Gibbons knows Missouri is lagging behind on its services, especially after he learned a child is diagnosed every 20 minutes."I thought it was frightening and something that we wanted to find out more about,” Gibbons said. “What we doing at state government? What can we do? How can we help families?”Earlier this year, Gibbons formed a 16-member group of doctors, educators and parents called the Missouri Blue Ribbon Panel on Autism. They listened to testimony from people across the state.One of them was Lee’s Summit mother Sherri Tucker, who has a freshman-aged son with autism. "There's an awareness now and I think people know we need to do something in Missouri to catch up to the rest of the country and I think this is a good thing,” Tucker said.Tucker and her friend, Debbie Shaumeyer, both attended the meeting in Kansas City. Back in April, NBC Action News reported on their struggles to improve educational services in the Lee's Summit school district."It's a very slow moving wheel. It's a very trying process on my family," Shaumeyer said.Shaumeyer said her six-year-old son Austin is already falling way behind other students in his Lee’s Summit classes. However, she does not think it’s too late for him to turn the corner. "That's one thing that our family does hold onto at this point is hope,” she said.The report includes 36 recommendations, some of which could go into place when lawmakers reconvene for their session in January.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Lee's Summit Tribune October 13, 2007 Article
Autism Support Group Hosts Informational Gathering
By Chase Jordan
Tribune Staff
Families and autism professionals came together for support and to share information during Autism Awareness Night.
The Lee's Summit Autism Support Group brought in about 26 service providers and more than 58 guests attended the event Monday, Oct. 1 at the Legacy Christian Church in Lee's Summit.
Vanessa Shields, of Lee's Summit, attended the event and has one son with autism.
"It's so hard to get information," Shields said. "There's really no on e central location that doesn't overwhelm you."
Joyce Lindsey has three sons and one of them is diagnosed with autism.
"It was an excellent turnout," Lindsey said. "I feel that it really served a need in the community. We had people coming from both sides of the state line."
Co-founders Sherri Tucker and Debra Shaumeyer said the purpose of the event was to make families with autistic children aware of available services and to network with other families.
"My phone rang from 9 o'clock until 5:30, and half of them were families that just got a diagnosis in the last week," Tucker said. "There's nowhere to go, so they're going to network and meet other families. That's probably even more important than the providers."
Shaumeyer's 6-year-old son, Austin, was diagnosed with autism near the age of 4.
"We started the group because we have a lot of disappointed families right now in the school district," she said. "Our purpose is to work with the Lee's Summit R-7 School District to make change, to work together as a team. Knowledge is power."
The group's co-founders were pleased with the turnout and the volunteers.
"We had to turn service providers away because we were limited with the space," Shaumeyer said.
Tucker said the gathering helped service providers network with families they would otherwise have difficulty finding.
Kelly Lee, autism education coordinator for the R-7 district and founder of Camp Encourage, attended the event to provide information to guests.
"I think it's wonderful to see so many families and it's wonderful to have this many resources to point those families to and get encouragement and the support that they need," Lee said.
She said there are some 200 students in the district diagnosed with some form of autism.
"Supporting families with children on the spectrum is something that is very close to my heart," Lee said. "I think it's extremely crucial that the district collaborates with parents."
Nancy Michael, of ABC'nD Autism Center in Kansas City, provides services for children 18 months old to children in the fourth grade.
"I met a lot of families interested in the Autism Center and some have been interested in occupational therapy and also just questions about their child's services." Michael said. "I think it's a wonderful opportunity for parents to learn about a vast number of services for children with autism because they can come and see the displays and talk to those people that are part of those programs, and I also think it's a great time for those families to network."
Georgia Mueller, Kansas City regional coordinator for MPACT, said her group works to ensure that all children with special needs receive an education that allows them to achieve their personal goals.
"We teach families how to become advocates for children, so we teach them the laws," Mueller said. "We teach them how to understand their rights and responsibilities and understand the rights and responsibilities of the school, and that way when they go to ask for appropriate service for their students they know that they're standing on solid ground."
Mueller has a son with autism in the Center School District.
"He actually has a pretty severe level and we had to work very hard with our school district to get them to do the right thing," she said. "I know that most school districts would not automatically do what we were able to gain. Most parents don't really like to ask what's appropriate for their child, whatever that my be. It's frustrating."
JJ Ringgold, of Lee's Summit, attended the event and is the parent of an autistic child.
"I got some new information this time about nutrition," Ringgold said. "I felt comfortable talking to them."
Clare Jeffress, of Greenwood has five children and two of them have autism.
"It was very wonderful. I think it should happen every six months." Jeffress said.
By Chase Jordan
Tribune Staff
Families and autism professionals came together for support and to share information during Autism Awareness Night.
The Lee's Summit Autism Support Group brought in about 26 service providers and more than 58 guests attended the event Monday, Oct. 1 at the Legacy Christian Church in Lee's Summit.
Vanessa Shields, of Lee's Summit, attended the event and has one son with autism.
"It's so hard to get information," Shields said. "There's really no on e central location that doesn't overwhelm you."
Joyce Lindsey has three sons and one of them is diagnosed with autism.
"It was an excellent turnout," Lindsey said. "I feel that it really served a need in the community. We had people coming from both sides of the state line."
Co-founders Sherri Tucker and Debra Shaumeyer said the purpose of the event was to make families with autistic children aware of available services and to network with other families.
"My phone rang from 9 o'clock until 5:30, and half of them were families that just got a diagnosis in the last week," Tucker said. "There's nowhere to go, so they're going to network and meet other families. That's probably even more important than the providers."
Shaumeyer's 6-year-old son, Austin, was diagnosed with autism near the age of 4.
"We started the group because we have a lot of disappointed families right now in the school district," she said. "Our purpose is to work with the Lee's Summit R-7 School District to make change, to work together as a team. Knowledge is power."
The group's co-founders were pleased with the turnout and the volunteers.
"We had to turn service providers away because we were limited with the space," Shaumeyer said.
Tucker said the gathering helped service providers network with families they would otherwise have difficulty finding.
Kelly Lee, autism education coordinator for the R-7 district and founder of Camp Encourage, attended the event to provide information to guests.
"I think it's wonderful to see so many families and it's wonderful to have this many resources to point those families to and get encouragement and the support that they need," Lee said.
She said there are some 200 students in the district diagnosed with some form of autism.
"Supporting families with children on the spectrum is something that is very close to my heart," Lee said. "I think it's extremely crucial that the district collaborates with parents."
Nancy Michael, of ABC'nD Autism Center in Kansas City, provides services for children 18 months old to children in the fourth grade.
"I met a lot of families interested in the Autism Center and some have been interested in occupational therapy and also just questions about their child's services." Michael said. "I think it's a wonderful opportunity for parents to learn about a vast number of services for children with autism because they can come and see the displays and talk to those people that are part of those programs, and I also think it's a great time for those families to network."
Georgia Mueller, Kansas City regional coordinator for MPACT, said her group works to ensure that all children with special needs receive an education that allows them to achieve their personal goals.
"We teach families how to become advocates for children, so we teach them the laws," Mueller said. "We teach them how to understand their rights and responsibilities and understand the rights and responsibilities of the school, and that way when they go to ask for appropriate service for their students they know that they're standing on solid ground."
Mueller has a son with autism in the Center School District.
"He actually has a pretty severe level and we had to work very hard with our school district to get them to do the right thing," she said. "I know that most school districts would not automatically do what we were able to gain. Most parents don't really like to ask what's appropriate for their child, whatever that my be. It's frustrating."
JJ Ringgold, of Lee's Summit, attended the event and is the parent of an autistic child.
"I got some new information this time about nutrition," Ringgold said. "I felt comfortable talking to them."
Clare Jeffress, of Greenwood has five children and two of them have autism.
"It was very wonderful. I think it should happen every six months." Jeffress said.
LSASG Human Interest Greenwood Dispatch
By Katy Keller
One year ago, Chris and Cheryl Martin of Blue Springs were delivered the heart wrenching news from their doctor that their 6-year-old son, Josh, had autism.
Although the pair had a feeling before the visit that their son had the disorder, the couple said they knew it was important to educate themselves about autism. "The best thing you can do for your child is to be your child's advocate," Cheryl explained.
The Martins were on of dozens of families who attended the 2nd annual Lee's Summit Autism Awareness Night on Oct. 1. The free event, organized by the Lee's Summit Autism Support Group, provided families with resources to assist them in raising and educating children with autism spectrum disorders.
The hearts behind the Lee's Summit Autism Support Group are Debbie Shaumeyer of Greenwood, and Sherri Tucker of Lee's Summit. The ladies formed the group in Nov. 2005 after seeing the need of support for parents of autistic children in R-7 School District. Shaumeyer's 5-year-old son, Austin, has autism. Tucker's 14-year-old son, Jake, has Asperger's syndrome.
The R-7 School district has begun to work more closely with the local autism group. In addition, Shaumeyer and Tucker are going beyond school boundaries and reaching into the state legislature to speak about the impact of autism.
Last month, Shaumeyer testified to the Missouri Autism Blue Ribbon Panel on the U.M.K.C. campus. She focused her statement on insurance and the lack of coverage for autism families.
The 16-member Blue Ribbon Panel is comprised of senators, psychologists, and members of the Missouri Autism Coalition. The group ultimately makes decisions based off of testimony of parents and experts, then passes their findings onto state legislators to tackle autism in Missouri.
Shaumeyer revealed she was terrified about speaking, but she knew that she was testifying on behalf of Austin.
"I don't think any of them truly knew how far behind the state of Missouri is in tackling autism," Tucker asserted. "You can go and talk about issues, because issues are easy to talk about. But when you go and talk about your kid, that's hard thing to talk about."
Since first forming the Lee's Summit Autism Support Group, Shaumeyer has seen autism come to the surface in the community, ten fold. However, Tucker sees their journey differently.
"I think that we are getting more frustrated than when we started because when we started, we thought the issues were this big," Tucker explained by pinching her fingers together, "and now we know the issues are this big," she clarified with wide open arms.
Yet, the colleagues and friends agree that their fight for autism is infinite.
"Our fight is endless, our advocacy and our battle to make changes with autism is endless. It will be one place after another, forever," Shaumeyer expressed.
The ultimate goal, Tucker said, is about unity, community, and reaching families.
"I want to make sure that everybody (affected by autism in the R-7 School District) knows what their child needs, and finds a way to get it, and that they're not alone."
Dispatch Bits
The Lee's Summit Autism Support Group meets on the first Monday of each month at the Legacy Christian Church of Lee's Summit, 2150 East Langsford Road. For more information, visit http://www.lsautism.org
One year ago, Chris and Cheryl Martin of Blue Springs were delivered the heart wrenching news from their doctor that their 6-year-old son, Josh, had autism.
Although the pair had a feeling before the visit that their son had the disorder, the couple said they knew it was important to educate themselves about autism. "The best thing you can do for your child is to be your child's advocate," Cheryl explained.
The Martins were on of dozens of families who attended the 2nd annual Lee's Summit Autism Awareness Night on Oct. 1. The free event, organized by the Lee's Summit Autism Support Group, provided families with resources to assist them in raising and educating children with autism spectrum disorders.
The hearts behind the Lee's Summit Autism Support Group are Debbie Shaumeyer of Greenwood, and Sherri Tucker of Lee's Summit. The ladies formed the group in Nov. 2005 after seeing the need of support for parents of autistic children in R-7 School District. Shaumeyer's 5-year-old son, Austin, has autism. Tucker's 14-year-old son, Jake, has Asperger's syndrome.
The R-7 School district has begun to work more closely with the local autism group. In addition, Shaumeyer and Tucker are going beyond school boundaries and reaching into the state legislature to speak about the impact of autism.
Last month, Shaumeyer testified to the Missouri Autism Blue Ribbon Panel on the U.M.K.C. campus. She focused her statement on insurance and the lack of coverage for autism families.
The 16-member Blue Ribbon Panel is comprised of senators, psychologists, and members of the Missouri Autism Coalition. The group ultimately makes decisions based off of testimony of parents and experts, then passes their findings onto state legislators to tackle autism in Missouri.
Shaumeyer revealed she was terrified about speaking, but she knew that she was testifying on behalf of Austin.
"I don't think any of them truly knew how far behind the state of Missouri is in tackling autism," Tucker asserted. "You can go and talk about issues, because issues are easy to talk about. But when you go and talk about your kid, that's hard thing to talk about."
Since first forming the Lee's Summit Autism Support Group, Shaumeyer has seen autism come to the surface in the community, ten fold. However, Tucker sees their journey differently.
"I think that we are getting more frustrated than when we started because when we started, we thought the issues were this big," Tucker explained by pinching her fingers together, "and now we know the issues are this big," she clarified with wide open arms.
Yet, the colleagues and friends agree that their fight for autism is infinite.
"Our fight is endless, our advocacy and our battle to make changes with autism is endless. It will be one place after another, forever," Shaumeyer expressed.
The ultimate goal, Tucker said, is about unity, community, and reaching families.
"I want to make sure that everybody (affected by autism in the R-7 School District) knows what their child needs, and finds a way to get it, and that they're not alone."
Dispatch Bits
The Lee's Summit Autism Support Group meets on the first Monday of each month at the Legacy Christian Church of Lee's Summit, 2150 East Langsford Road. For more information, visit http://www.lsautism.org
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Lee's Summit Tribune Article
Lee's Summit families start autism support group
Group bonds together in time of funding shortfall for special education
By Chase Jordan
Tribune Staff
Sherri Tucker and her family moved to Lee's Summit because she believed her son would receive the best education here.
Jacob was diagnosed with autism 11 years ago. He is now 14 years old.
"I chose where we moved in Kansas City, solely on my son. I didn't care about location. I wanted to live where Jacob had the best opportunity," Tucker said. "We moved here when he was in kindergarten."
The family is not pleased with the R-7 School District.
"We can be living in Raytown or Independence and pay less tax and pay less for the water bill and still not get any worse of an education," Tucker said.
In November 1006, Tucker and Debra Shaumeyer created the Lee's Summit Autism Support Group. Shaumeyer is the mother of a 5-year-old autistic son.
"What we want to do is get the school district to work with us to give the best education they can. In the sate of Missouri that's not an easy thing to do," Tucker said. "Most of the time we talk about what goes on in the school district."
Tucker described Individualized Education Plan meetings, which are attended by seven to 15 school officials.
"So you sit there and these people tell you that your child is never going to be normal, which is a very hard thing to handle," Tucker said. "You assume that these people are giving you all the right information and you believe them and you sign on the dotted line. What you never find out is that those people are never going to give you what you need until you're smart enough to know what you need and you fight for it."
Tucker said Missouri is 48th in the country for special education funding.
"In the state of Missouri, when your kid gets diagnosed with autism, the doctor ways go forth, you're done, and you're on your own," she said. "We're working on legislative issues and trying to work with the school district."
Senator Matt Bartle, of Lee's Summit, said Missourians are not interested in raising taxes. He said Missourians rejected the last seven ballot proposals to raise taxes. (I've read that there is a surplus. This issue has nothing to do with raising taxes)
"We're ranked 48 or 49 in a lot of things," Bartle said. "We're a low spending state because we're a low taxing state." Bartle said autism is a problem that Missouri is going to have to deal with.
"Autism is a growing problem in Missouri and in the United States, and it's putting a strain on social services and the school system," he said. "We have to figure out what's causing autism. It's a major cost drainer in Medicaid and the education budget."
According to the Lee's Summit group, there are more than 210 students diagnosed with autism in the district. They believe that the teachers in the district should be trained in autism.
"A lot of these kids with autism are in special education, so their teacher would be trained in autism," Tucker said. "But my son is not in special ed, he's in regular ed. So he has seven teachers everyday that don't have a clue and they're going to educate my son."
Tucker said there have been times when her son became sick or had "meltdowns" because of the different expectations of teachers.
Jerry Keimig, R-7 director of special services, said that it is not possible to train every teacher in the district.
"We provide the most comprehensive autism training than any other school district that I'm aware of," Keimig said. "It's not feasible to train every teacher for every disorder. There are 50 to 60 different medical or emotional diagnoses."
The district hosted a four-day workshop in June.
"We try to make autism a priority. I don't know any other disability that we do four-day workshops on," Keimig said.
Stacey Martin, autism specialist, said about 75 people participated in the workshop. (I would say that at least half of those were not employees of the district. Five or six were members of our group)
"We try to target those teachers who have not had training before. We do our very best to make sure they have the training they need to meet the needs of students," Martin said. "We are always looking for new things to learn about autism. We're always eager to help these kids."
Superintendent Dr. David McGehee said it would be difficult to make every teacher an expert, but believes they should have some basic knowledge of autism if they are teaching a diagnosed child.
"There are opportunities for the teachers to be trained," McGehee said. "You can't deal with all students the same because they have different needs. It's a challenge in today's education system."
McGehee said the support group does a good job dealing with autism.
"I appreciate Mrs. Tucker's approach in the group. I don't look at them as antagonist or anything because we need to find a common ground," McGehee said. "Sometimes people perceive it as a fight. I perceive it as continuing dialog."
Tucker said she wants to work with the school district to improve in this area. "I don't want to be negative, but I want to let people know there're other people with the same issues," Tucker said. "I want people to know that we need to progress in this area."
Group bonds together in time of funding shortfall for special education
By Chase Jordan
Tribune Staff
Sherri Tucker and her family moved to Lee's Summit because she believed her son would receive the best education here.
Jacob was diagnosed with autism 11 years ago. He is now 14 years old.
"I chose where we moved in Kansas City, solely on my son. I didn't care about location. I wanted to live where Jacob had the best opportunity," Tucker said. "We moved here when he was in kindergarten."
The family is not pleased with the R-7 School District.
"We can be living in Raytown or Independence and pay less tax and pay less for the water bill and still not get any worse of an education," Tucker said.
In November 1006, Tucker and Debra Shaumeyer created the Lee's Summit Autism Support Group. Shaumeyer is the mother of a 5-year-old autistic son.
"What we want to do is get the school district to work with us to give the best education they can. In the sate of Missouri that's not an easy thing to do," Tucker said. "Most of the time we talk about what goes on in the school district."
Tucker described Individualized Education Plan meetings, which are attended by seven to 15 school officials.
"So you sit there and these people tell you that your child is never going to be normal, which is a very hard thing to handle," Tucker said. "You assume that these people are giving you all the right information and you believe them and you sign on the dotted line. What you never find out is that those people are never going to give you what you need until you're smart enough to know what you need and you fight for it."
Tucker said Missouri is 48th in the country for special education funding.
"In the state of Missouri, when your kid gets diagnosed with autism, the doctor ways go forth, you're done, and you're on your own," she said. "We're working on legislative issues and trying to work with the school district."
Senator Matt Bartle, of Lee's Summit, said Missourians are not interested in raising taxes. He said Missourians rejected the last seven ballot proposals to raise taxes. (I've read that there is a surplus. This issue has nothing to do with raising taxes)
"We're ranked 48 or 49 in a lot of things," Bartle said. "We're a low spending state because we're a low taxing state." Bartle said autism is a problem that Missouri is going to have to deal with.
"Autism is a growing problem in Missouri and in the United States, and it's putting a strain on social services and the school system," he said. "We have to figure out what's causing autism. It's a major cost drainer in Medicaid and the education budget."
According to the Lee's Summit group, there are more than 210 students diagnosed with autism in the district. They believe that the teachers in the district should be trained in autism.
"A lot of these kids with autism are in special education, so their teacher would be trained in autism," Tucker said. "But my son is not in special ed, he's in regular ed. So he has seven teachers everyday that don't have a clue and they're going to educate my son."
Tucker said there have been times when her son became sick or had "meltdowns" because of the different expectations of teachers.
Jerry Keimig, R-7 director of special services, said that it is not possible to train every teacher in the district.
"We provide the most comprehensive autism training than any other school district that I'm aware of," Keimig said. "It's not feasible to train every teacher for every disorder. There are 50 to 60 different medical or emotional diagnoses."
The district hosted a four-day workshop in June.
"We try to make autism a priority. I don't know any other disability that we do four-day workshops on," Keimig said.
Stacey Martin, autism specialist, said about 75 people participated in the workshop. (I would say that at least half of those were not employees of the district. Five or six were members of our group)
"We try to target those teachers who have not had training before. We do our very best to make sure they have the training they need to meet the needs of students," Martin said. "We are always looking for new things to learn about autism. We're always eager to help these kids."
Superintendent Dr. David McGehee said it would be difficult to make every teacher an expert, but believes they should have some basic knowledge of autism if they are teaching a diagnosed child.
"There are opportunities for the teachers to be trained," McGehee said. "You can't deal with all students the same because they have different needs. It's a challenge in today's education system."
McGehee said the support group does a good job dealing with autism.
"I appreciate Mrs. Tucker's approach in the group. I don't look at them as antagonist or anything because we need to find a common ground," McGehee said. "Sometimes people perceive it as a fight. I perceive it as continuing dialog."
Tucker said she wants to work with the school district to improve in this area. "I don't want to be negative, but I want to let people know there're other people with the same issues," Tucker said. "I want people to know that we need to progress in this area."
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
LSR-7 AMONG 166 MISSOURI DISTRICTS RECEIVING CONFUSING DESIGNATION BASED ON NCLB
The Lee's Summit R-7 School District is among 166 Missouri districts being designated as "District Improvement Level 1," based on requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001. Although the goals of No Child Left Behind to ensure success for each child and to provide for school district accountability are worthwhile, the law has several flaws, especially in its accountability mechanism.
Like a number of the school districts receiving this designation, the R-7 School District has earned the state's coveted Distinction In Performance Award all six years it has been offered. In fact, the district is one of a handful of Missouri districts to earn this honor all six years with a perfect score each year. This year again, R-7 students scored above the state average in all areas on the 2007 Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests.
The R-7 School District's designation as "District Improvement Level 1" was based on the scores of a very small number of students in two small sub-groups – special-education and English language learners (students who speak English as a second language) in the area of communication arts. These special-needs sub-groups are required to meet the same high standards on the Missouri Assessment Program communication-arts tests with no exam modifications that would take the students' disabilities or special language challenges into account. A misleading aspect of this legislation is that only districts with a large enough sub-group population can be identified, thus holding harmless smaller districts with similar or lower levels of achievement.
While the intent of No Child Left Behind is admirable, this particular component does not pass the "common sense" standard when the test scores of a small number of students – less than 2 percent for Lee's Summit R-7 – cause a successful school district to be placed in this category. Fortunately, the United States Congress plans to consider revisions to No Child Left Behind this fall, and it is possible that this aspect of the law may change. In the meantime, R-7 School District staff will continue to work tirelessly to meet the needs of each child.
To read a letter with additional information about this federal requirement from Dr. David McGehee, Lee's Summit R-7 School District superintendent, please visit the following web address: http://www.leesummit.k12.mo.us/pdf/parentinfo/ParentNotificationAug07.pdf.
Like a number of the school districts receiving this designation, the R-7 School District has earned the state's coveted Distinction In Performance Award all six years it has been offered. In fact, the district is one of a handful of Missouri districts to earn this honor all six years with a perfect score each year. This year again, R-7 students scored above the state average in all areas on the 2007 Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests.
The R-7 School District's designation as "District Improvement Level 1" was based on the scores of a very small number of students in two small sub-groups – special-education and English language learners (students who speak English as a second language) in the area of communication arts. These special-needs sub-groups are required to meet the same high standards on the Missouri Assessment Program communication-arts tests with no exam modifications that would take the students' disabilities or special language challenges into account. A misleading aspect of this legislation is that only districts with a large enough sub-group population can be identified, thus holding harmless smaller districts with similar or lower levels of achievement.
While the intent of No Child Left Behind is admirable, this particular component does not pass the "common sense" standard when the test scores of a small number of students – less than 2 percent for Lee's Summit R-7 – cause a successful school district to be placed in this category. Fortunately, the United States Congress plans to consider revisions to No Child Left Behind this fall, and it is possible that this aspect of the law may change. In the meantime, R-7 School District staff will continue to work tirelessly to meet the needs of each child.
To read a letter with additional information about this federal requirement from Dr. David McGehee, Lee's Summit R-7 School District superintendent, please visit the following web address: http://www.leesummit.k12.mo.us/pdf/parentinfo/ParentNotificationAug07.pdf.
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