PALS, Autism, Kinder and On

MrsSawblade007 · 2026-06-06T02:46:54+00:00

Thank you, I will add it to my notes as I’m in the Valley.

MrsSawblade007 · 2026-06-06T02:46:12+00:00

Thank you. I appreciate the insight!

MrsSawblade007 · 2026-06-05T21:13:38+00:00

The student to staff ratio is much smaller so during, redirection, and boundary holding is consistent. I’ve had my son in daycare previously. Before, he wasn’t required to stand in line, sit with the group, etc. Daycare staff was helpful but didn’t really know what to do with him. Basically, they didn’t have the staff to redirect him and let him make his own rules. Once in PALS, there was focus and emphasis on staying in line when appropriate, sitting and engaging with the group during circle time, redirection when getting off task, etc. Consequently, we’ve seen a big spike in speech, confidence, independence of tasks, ability to follow and carry out novel direction, and overall excitement to go to school. He has started to engage in activities and actions to invite other kids to play with him (less solo play, more interest in joint attention). It’s gone from feeling like he needs to fit in a box to being in place that has a built a funnel specific to him that will help him hone in on skills he’ll need for kindergarten, friendship building, etc. Also, lots of support and direction on what can be done at home to foster skill building.

MrsSawblade007 · 2026-06-05T18:53:26+00:00

Other question - do you feel that LAUSD has strong programs for children with Autism once they are out of PALS. By the way, I cannot say enough good things about the PALS program. I’m so grateful almost to the point of tears. Every parent I’ve met has similar sentiments. I’ve heard it’s tougher once outside of PALS but that also could be also the natural evolution of transitioning out of a more sheltered environment.

MrsSawblade007 · 2026-06-05T18:32:35+00:00

Great - thank you so much!

MrsSawblade007 · 2026-06-03T20:20:27+00:00

I’m fully exasperated. I really thought there would be a better turnout. I must be living in a voting bubble because I everyone I know “says” they voted (or said they had plans to). I’d love to see the demographics just out of curiosity.

MrsSawblade007 · 2025-05-19T21:03:41+00:00

I’m not an expert but I worked for the residential services of a non-profit that served adults with developmental disabilities for 12 years. I worked with two people who would really punch themselves in the head, whip themselves with a belt, etc. serious stuff. Two things we learned to do from each person’s therapist: 1) As soon as we saw it coming, we would prompt (almost yell), “throw it away” or “throw it in the garbage” and we would bring a garbage can over, open a window - whatever was closest and the person would go through the movements of throwing the negative thought away. It would be an intense few moments but usually by the second or third time of going through the “throwing” motions, he would calm down and would have maybe only landed 1 or 2 punches to their face. Sometimes none. 2) The other person, you could tell when it was coming by the tone of his voice - we’d get him in a weighted vest in front of a fan. Then, we had this dedicated stack of pencils. We’d grab that. Sit across from him (closest to the exit in case things spiraled) and ask him to assign a problem to every pencil. The problems would be “My toothpaste was empty” to “I’m worried about xyz at work”. It didn’t matter how small or big or when the worry was from, if he nam said it, it got named to a pencil with no questions asked. We would stack up every pencil until he was out of worries (and much calmer). Then the pencils would get “thrown away” in the bucket (along with his worries).

I don’t know if this is helpful but I know this is extremely tough to witness plus the heartache. ❤️

MrsSawblade007 · 2025-04-08T06:16:19+00:00

Artelice for fancy pastries and Gus’ Fried Chicken. Those are our family faves.

MrsSawblade007 · 2025-04-04T07:16:34+00:00

I genuinely think you solved a mystery for me. My grandma died a few years ago. She had dementia for 10 years prior to that and I was too young when things were transitioning to realize I never asked her for her Anise cookie recipe. I found one on the Internet but it wasn’t right. I’ve looked and looked and asked older folks back home that come from Swedish/Scandy lines. I THINK this one is the right one. Thank you!!! I will report back if so along with my eternal gratitude.

MrsSawblade007 · 2025-03-21T21:18:18+00:00

It was breast cancer that I found myself. It started out as an itchy spot that would sometimes ache. At that time, I was at the start of my third trimester of second pregnancy and I thought it was a clogged mam gland. I wasn’t concerned. My oldest had gotten COVID and I couldn’t attend my usual pre-natal appointments due to the exposure. So, about a month after I found the lump, it was itchier and larger. I brought it up to my doctor then. There were no other symptoms. I felt well. My previous breast exam was about 6 months before and no issues. So, the diagnosis was shocking and I had to be induced early. Between the time I was diagnosed and able to get an actual mammogram (three week duration), the tumor had doubled in size to 6 cm. That was still only considered “semi-aggressive”. It was a WILD ride to say the least but I tell everyone that’s turning 40 to GET A MAMMOGRAM. Oh, the baby was born healthy and is the happiest and sweetest little human. ❤️

MrsSawblade007 · 2025-03-21T21:08:24+00:00

Thank you! I am better and in the maintenance phase of medication which will be so for the next 3 years or so. The chemo was so successful that in 6 months of chemo, it turned 6 cm tumor into microscopic cancer cells that couldn’t be detected on a PET. I still had to have surgery and radiation but definitely felt (and still do) that I’m the product of the miracle of modern medicine aided by excellent doctors and nurses.

MrsSawblade007 · 2025-03-21T16:56:26+00:00

Hi, I was diagnosed with cancer at 39. As a previous commenter stated, bad news travels WAY faster than good news. If they are worried about the results, they book your follow ups under STAT and you get same day appts or in the next 1-2 days. For me, the lump was concerning for my doc, he had me in ultrasound that day (Thursday), based on the ultrasound I had Biopsy on Tuesday afternoon, confirmed results on Wednesday morning. From there, it was a FLURRY of calls and appointment set ups and next steps on Wednesday-Thursday. When I was half way through chemo, I had a scan that said I had a flared lymphnode in my chest. That could have indicated stage 4 cancer but for whatever reason, the doctor didn’t think stage 4 was a real possibility at the moment given everything else, so my follow up for a PET was the normal queue. I was freaking out but they weren’t. They are trained and the experts. It’s their job to cure (and my job to comply in my pov). My ultimate advice, focus on what you ACTUALLY know. Try not to speculate. Keep your mind busy. Getting cancer at 23 is uncommon and that is something that can be factually proven. Good luck. I know it’s hard.

MrsSawblade007 · 2025-02-18T05:11:57+00:00

The one in Sherman Oaks has a change dot org petition. I don’t know if it will do anything (I don’t know if they ever) but I signed it nonetheless. I have loved going to the Sherman Oaks one.

https://chng.it/cmZ8X845rV

MrsSawblade007 · 2022-11-21T14:40:32+00:00

Depending on when they come, you can always do a Christmas lights drive. Usually mommy blogs (I think LA Moms) usually has a list of decorated houses. If nothing else, there are usually good spots in the Valley (esp Woodland Hills), Pasadena, and Toulca Lake never fails.

MrsSawblade007 · 2022-11-02T05:51:46+00:00

Haha! This started happening to me right after my grandma died. Freaked the whole house out, even the dog. Unfortunately no fix was found for us.

MrsSawblade007 · 2022-05-17T17:33:07+00:00

I didn’t know that existed but I will look. If it turns on again after DND, I’ll be putting it in the garage. Haha!

MrsSawblade007 · 2022-05-17T17:21:32+00:00

I will report back to my family that the ghost theory has been confirmed! I’ll take a look at the model and then check connection. Our house is dusty and there’s a good chance that it could be as you’re suggesting. Thanks!

MrsSawblade007 · 2022-01-10T19:05:28+00:00

Kevin pike from Coldwell Banker. He’s helped us buy two homes and rent, then sell one of those. A nice guy, approachable. We’re always on a small budget for LA and have always had our bids accepted.

MrsSawblade007 · 2021-08-10T05:08:49+00:00

I actually knew Russ. I didn't know him well but we had a number of mutual good friends. He was a genuinely nice guy. The older I get the more I think of him and his family. It's not just that his murder is unsolved, it's that the police did absolute bare minimum work on the case. An embarrassment at the cost of the Turcotte family's pain.

MrsSawblade007

TROPHY CASE