Orlando Central - Issue #5 (July 2024)

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OFM_PARENTING_GUIDE_724 - FINAL_Pages 6 / 13 / 24 5 : 02 PM Page 13 Helping Hands strating that you’re your child’s fiercest supporter S can also help them develop the vocabulary and confidence to advocate for themselves . D It is a skill that requires some patience and E managed expectations to develop , though . “ Remember that helping a child as a self - ad - E vocate is a process , not a one - time conversation , ” says Diane DiSanza , Pace Brantley’s principal . N “ Keep the dialogue open , offer ongoing support , and adjust your approach as the child matures and their needs evolve . With consistent support L and empowerment , children with learning dif - ferences can become strong Aself - advocates . ” I WHAT TO DO WHEN : Your Child is Facing Adulthood C Your child is more than their diagnosis even when E it informs how they interact with the world , but that diagnosis can make the prospect of an inde - P pendent life daunting for everyone . The path to that future is punctuated with S opportunities for children to discover their capa - bilities as they grow and mature , while always demonstrating there’s a safety net ready to catch them when they experience life’s inevitable hic - cups as they claim their hard - won independence . “ We work with older children and teenagers , and the teenagers hesitate to make attempts be - cause they don’t want to fail , ” Beckman observes . “ We want to make sure that they have lots and lots of success in a controlled setting , and then give them activities for carryover at home and in their community setting . … But you’ve got to set it up in small enough increments that they will have success . Change is hard and it’s a process : You have to be realistic in your expectations and you have to be systematic in your approach . ” Developing a relationship with the dedicated professionals serving as a supportive , safe constant in a child’s life as they make their way toward adulthood can help them — and their families — realize their full potential . “ With the right support system , there’s a life of increased independence that parents and care - givers never thought possible , ” Aragon says . “ We help teens and young adults as they transition into adulthood with life - skills and work training , and provide opportunities for supported and indepen - dent living opportunities . We provide group homes with 24 - hour on - site support , transitional living with roommates in apartments , and at Quest Vil - lage , adults with developmental disabilities live in - dependently with on - support if needed . ” “ We’re spending many , many hours — any - where from 20 to 40 , usually — with your child a week , and we’re going to spend a lot of time with those individual caregivers and parents , ” adds Fit - tro . “ We want to know all of the things you know because this is something that is very long term . When families walk through the door , I reiterate that they really should keep their minds open as far as the possibilities that exist for their child . ” 46 ORLANDO FAMILY july 2024 ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

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OFM_Profile_FSDB_0724_Profile 6 / 13 / 24 11 : 53 AM Page 1 PROMOTION B U S I N E S S S P O T L I G H T Blind students participate in a renowned music program that includes chorus , band and instrumental ; the show chorus performed at Disney this year and has also sung the national anthem before an Orlando Magic game . Deaf stu - dents have a performing arts program as well ; the dance troupe does choreography and also has per - formed at a Magic game . A wide selection of other clubs is offered , too , from groups focused on robotics or science fairs to the outdoors , chess , math , yearbook , drama and more . “ Pretty much anything a child is interested in , there is going to be something for them here , ” Snow says . “ That is something that I believe makes us very special in the state of Florida , because a lot of our students just don’t have access or may not feel included in a public school . We truly believe in educating the whole child , so it EverybodyBelongs goes beyond the classroom . ” For all of those reasons , FSDB has proven to be the perfect home for deaf and blind students Studentswho may not feel throughout the state , and many have even moved to acceptedelsewhere fit right in at Florida from different states or foreign countries to benefit from the school’s offerings . Snow encour - the Florida School for the Deaf at FSDB ages families of prospective students to learn more & the Blind , which provides an about FSDB by visiting its website or following its hen the members of this year’s gradu - social media accounts , and starting the application educationalexperience unlike atingclass from the Florida School for and admissions process , which can be initiated any the Deaf & the Blind ( FSDB ) got a W time of year . any other . by MATT COSENTINO chanceduring the traditional senior dinner Those who end up at FSDB will surely have a to share feedback about their experiences at the school , one of the recurring themes was the sense of memorable experience , like one recent graduate acceptance they felt during their time on the St . Augustine campus.For kids who may have struggled to whose mother approached Snow following com - fit in at previous stops on their educational journey , that tight - knit community was exactly what they mencement ceremonies . needed . “ With tears in her eyes she said , ‘ Thank you for “ One of our main messages here is that at FSDB , you belong , ” says Tracie C . Snow , who has been on all that you have done for my daughter , ’ ” recalls the staff for nearly three decades and has served as president since 2020 . “ It changes students ’ lives : They Snow , who is also the parent to two deaf sons who learn more about who they are and what they’re capable of because those limits are removed . It’s just an graduated from FSDB . “ It was so hard for this incredible community that they can be part of as early as age 3 and all the way to age 22 . ” mother to put her daughter on the bus every single Established in 1885 , FSDB is the only school of its kind in the state and one of the few in the country Sunday ; it broke her heart . However , she knew it geared solely to students who are deaf / hard of hearing , blind / visually impaired or deafblind . With programs wasthe best thing for her and she’s so grateful for the ranging from a statewide parent infant program and early childhood to elementary , middle and high schools , experience she had here and the confident young as well as opportunities for high school students who defer their diploma to receive additional education as lady she has become . More doors are opened to her they transition to adulthood , FSDB serves more than 1,000 children per year . forher next chapter than ever would have been if she Fully accredited as a state school , it is completely tuition - free for Florida residents , whether they live had stayed where she was . ” locally and travel to and from school every day , or come from further out and are part of FSDB’s boarding program . Those kids — who make up about two - thirds of the enrollment — also receive transportation just like the day students , and on a normal schedule arrive on campus around 4 : 30 p.m . on Sunday afternoon and head home at 2 p.m . on Friday to spend weekends with their families . FSDB has a reputation for academic excellence , and as a public school its students take the same courses , follow the same state standards and take the same testing as any other district in Florida . Its teachers are cer - tified in a certain subject area , like math or science , and are also required to be certified in either deafness or blindness , which allows them to focus on an expanded core curriculum and provide specialized instruction . “ In the blind department , those would be aspects of learning how to use a cane in terms of orientation and mobility , learning how to read Braille , learning how to use assistive technology to access computers or print , ” Snow says . “ They are also learning how to advocate for themselves . In the deaf department , our stu - dents are learning those same types of skills with advocacy as well as learning both American Sign Language and English . ” Florida School for the The school also provides a wide array of specialists such as physical , occupational and speech therapists , audiologists , psychologists and more . Deaf & the Blind Families often tell Snow that athletics are a prized aspect of the FSDB experience , with students having St . Augustine the opportunity to compete in 11 sports , including football , basketball , cheerleading and goalball , a sport ( 904 ) 827 - 2200 specifically for blind / visually impaired students in which the school recently won a national championship . FSDBK12 . org ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM july 2024 ORLANDO FAMILY 47

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