Bombus Special Education Advocacy

04/13/2024

Autism Awareness Month!
Jocelyn Trapani
FACT! Anxiety fuels selective mutism. Making a child speak, judging a child for not speaking, or shaming a child who can’t, is only hurting that child. We all have struggling and that is okay, remember to be gentle on individuals, it’s not defiance nor should it be judged as such! 🐝

Helping kids with selective mutism find their voice:

It is extremely debilitating for a child with selective mutism to have to go to school every day and interact with peers. When they’re unable to speak, they not only are missing opportunities to connect with others, but they’re unable to meet important milestones and ask for help when necessary.

There are excellent evidence-based treatments available for children with selective mutism, though.

This involves a robust behavioral intervention program that helps children learn skills to face people, places, and situations where they were previously nonverbal.

The goals include increasing verbalizations in helping kids flex brave muscles so they can talk in a variety of settings.

Good treatment should involve parents and should teach them the same skills so that they can best support their children when they’re not in session.

This involves helping parents develop skills to help children brave talk in situations like school, at the ice cream store or the library.

For more on selective mutism:
https://childmind.org/topics/anxiety/ -mutism

04/05/2024

Autism Awareness Month
Bombus Special Education Advocacy

“Perfectly imperfect” are the words that I feel compelled to use when thinking of individuals on the spectrum for autism.

Personally and professionally, I’ve been blessed to be intertwined with many individuals who have, and even ones that are apparently on the spectrum, but weren’t properly diagnosed. I find their apparent way of speaking the truth liberating. I think we could all use a little more of that in this world!

Sadly, I’ve seen so many of these individuals go unheard trying to communicate their truth. This comes with judgement, misdiagnoses, institutions, hospitalizations, medications and retraction from the world left with feeling misunderstood.

We need to create a safe place for these righteous individuals and that begins with understanding that they thrive with constantly and predictability. I find myself having to go over the agenda of the day, sometimes minute by minute, because this is what they need.

Every evening as my son walks down the stairs for dinner he asks the same question, “what’s for dinner?”. I chuckle as I respond knowing by the time I finish responding he is in front of his dinner, but I love to be integrated into his world this way.

Although, I am not perfect with my ex*****on, our home has a three day rule. If I want to disrupt my children’s normal routine, I give them three days advance notice. If it is shorter than those three days, they can say no with no questions asked. I’ve found by being respectful of this need, more often than not, they are open to my ask even within those three days. But if not, it’s important to not think of this as defiance but how they perceive feeling safe, in control, and heard.

For years, when I was unaware of my children being on the spectrum for autism, I would get angry, frustrated and feel they were being defiant. And with “defiance” comes emotions that look disruptive. Disruptive behaviors creates unnecessary judgment, and then it’s an open door that can lead to an incorrect diagnosis. Sadly, that is a slippery slope.

I think we are making a mountain out of a mole hill as a society ignoring their truth. We all have needs to make us feel safe, and being respectful of this is one I’ve found huge success with when raising my children.

03/30/2024

You are safe, it’s time to heal. The fears that tell you that you aren’t safe, are only the projected fears of the abusers knowing one day you may speak the truth. You are not alone, and by not healing, we continue to allow our heart, body, mind, soul and spirit be controlled. We have no control if we don’t heal. Healing is hard, but it is much more scary to stay quiet. Empower YOUSELF and take back control. If you’re not sure where to start, start with speaking with an open heart to YOUR higher power. Mine was nothing more than the apparent energy of this universe. I drove down a country road looking into the sky and said although I’ve lost my faith in God, I can’t deny the universal energy of this world. And from there my healing began. God only revealed himself when he knew I was ready to understand that he never left me, actually just the opposite he has always been protecting me.

Light waits by your side for an invitation and will never intrude on your free will, darkness does not care. Think about that. 💜 🪽🌈👼🙏🤍

03/30/2024

I’ve spent the last 3 years understanding personally and professionally through my company, Bombus Special Education Advocacy the depths of trauma. Alarmingly shocked, how often it goes misdiagnosed as a mood disorder. In my personal and professional life, I’m left questioning why so often trauma is not considered but rather the focus is on the everlasting reaction of oneself, that can look and feel bipolar, or similar to other mood disorders, that is only until someone finds a safe place to heal.

And that’s when one’s life begins to shift through this unwavering unconditional love without judgement or reticule at the hand of God.

Healing is not easy, but I’ve never felt more safe having control of my mind, rather than be controlled by my inability to recollect the painful truth about my past. I cried, I screamed, I broke things, I sat in silence, I layed in bed, I slept, I stared at the walls, I prayed, I journaled, I meditated, I isolated; I was ALONE. Alone with my thoughts, exposed memories, my new truth, feelings of confusion, anger, resentment, betrayal, sadness, but oddly feelings of hope, love, feeling understood, supported and most importantly safe. 🙏🪽🌈

It’s hard to heal if you don’t know what you are healing from. It’s even harder to heal if you don’t open your heart, body, mind, soul and spirit to the universe, the angels and my true savior, Jesus Christ.

Thank you, God and my team! 🤍🌈🪽👼🙏💜 You’re my rock, my strength and my hope. You’ve let me spiral to the depths of hell to allow me to grow, gain clarity, and wisdom. You accepted and loved me when I didn’t know how to love myself and taught me unconditional love. I was broke, both knowingly and unknowingly, but you never wavered from the words that you spoke: Deuteronomy 31:8 - He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. ♥️

11/02/2023

Your support is needed! 🐝
Chenoa Manor is seeking your assistance in preparing its residents for the upcoming winter months. Your support is greatly appreciated, and any contribution, no matter the amount, will make a difference. Our goal is to raise $5,000 to address immediate needs. Additionally, there are numerous other ways to contribute to this wonderful cause, which aims to connect animals and youth in a way that we can all learn from. Together, let's make a positive impact! Click on the link to find out ways to help! Thank you!

During the fall and winter seasons, the natural vegetation that our residents munch on throughout the warmer months goes dormant. In order to keep everyone happy and fed, we are required to spend a tremendous amount on hay and feed for the many mouths in need of sustenance. That's where you come in...

10/28/2023

💐 If you need flowers for the upcoming months, please consider Bloombox and use Chenoa15 at the checkout. Chenoa Manor will receive 15% of the proceeds! Thank you! 🐝

🌲 Our Fall fundraiser with BloomBox was so successful we’re back at it for the holidays! 🌲

From November 1-15th order handmade wreaths, fresh cut wintergreens, holiday planters, garland and more! BloomBox will hand-deliver your items directly to your home between November 17th & December 5th and donate 15% of your order directly to us!
Use our unique fundraising code CHENOA15 at checkout for your order to apply to our fundraiser!

07/24/2023

💜 💜 With school just around the corner, remember that this unconditional acceptance and understanding is what children need to feel safe, strive, shine but MOSTLY deserve.

Having spent a lot of time at Chenoa Manor these past months, acceptance of exactly who you are is the magic behind the successful integration of animals from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Judgement only creates expectations but meeting someone without judgment creates organic opportunities. 🐝

I have been extremely disconnected from social media due to working on a very meaningful project. My dream has always been big, but truly unclear on how to make meaningful change for kids. I knew advocacy would be a first step to a very big dream. I’m humbled, excited and will need ALL your continued support, love and help going forward. As we know when there are misunderstood children that it takes a village in creating an environment of acceptance.

Details to follow in the next few weeks. Stay tuned! 🐝 💜

"I wish more people were more like animals. Animals don't try to change you or make you fit in. They just enjoy the pleasure of your company. Animals aren't conditional about friendships. Animals like you just the way you are. They listen to your problems, they comfort you when you're sad, and all they ask in return is a little kindness."
~ Bill Watterson

05/14/2023

Happy Mother’s Day! The one day that it ONLY matters that you are smiling and looking at the camera 📷! 😂 Happy YOU day! 💜 🐝

05/03/2023

Teachers, Teachers, Teachers......

Thank you for teaching our children during the pandemic. You took care of our children, all while managing the stress of the pandemic and now the aftermath of the ongoing struggle with student's social, emotional and academic regression.

But who is looking out for you? Has anyone checked in on you to make sure that you are okay?

When I obtained my teaching credentials, we weren't taught how to manage a pandemic or any world event that could take the life of your students, your family or yourself. Instead, with an expected smile on your face and a bounce in your step, you were the ones that took care of our children's academic, social and emotional needs. And if that was not enough, you had to deal with the anxiety, frustration, fear and concerns of the parents/caretakers. We (yes I was one, and so were you) expected our children to not miss a beat; obtain services, progress academically, socially, emotionally, follow IEP's, all while juggling your own fears of getting sick, taking Covid home to compromised family members, newborns, children, loved ones, etc.........

Today, we are still dealing with the negative implications from this period of time all while putting pressure on teachers to "make things right". But, are you "alright"? Or are you struggling, maybe not even knowing really just how much this impacted you because it has never been acknowledged just how difficult and scary this time was for you. You went into empty schools to teach remotely, you then welcomed our children back with masks all while trying to keep a sense of normalcy. We all know how much this time period impacted our children, our family and ourselves. Yet, we continue to put pressure, demands, express disappointment, and "judge" teachers for their "lack of empathy", being "disconnected", and not "getting it". Maybe, just maybe, this is because those teachers are struggling. How can we continue to expect teachers to pick up all the pieces, with out understanding how this truly impacted them. Unless we recognize and support the needs of the teachers, we are going to continue to lose incredible teachers and see more and more burn out.

I am a strong believer in trauma informed schools, but that starts with the teachers. I am in no way saying all teachers have struggled and need help, but I think it is naive to just look the other way. We continue to expect teachers to not miss a beat; when in speaking with some of you, working with some of you, reading your posts, as well as listening to other parents' experiences, that this is an unrealistic expectation when so very little has been done to truly support the impacts that this time has had, and continue to have, on you. 🐝 💜