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Letter from a colleague to Ingrid Poupart in Canada
Sorry to have taken so long to email and thank you for Maude’s book. You left the book for me and I left for Toronto the next day for a funeral. I wasn’t sure what the book was all about but I read the book on the train going and coming from Toronto. Ingrid, the book spoke to me. You have so often talked to me about Maude and the kind of work that she is doing. What a knowledgeable and accomplished practitioner. The whole approach just made perfect sense to me. The idea that DIR/Floortime is process orientated. And that’s what our Centre is all about: not the product so much but the process of learning which leads to a better product. My niece has an autistic son who I saw recently at a Xmas party and after reading this book, I feel certain that this type of approach would help him. But like always, it needs to be someone who is very skilled and knows what they are doing. What was also key is that Maude integrated the approach into her work at the Centre, the school and home. My brother (the grandfather) told me that his daugther had been talking about a programme in Pennsylvania. I’m dying to know if it is Maude’s centre that she had learned about. Certainly if I had an autistic child, I would want Maude’s expertise.
Thank you for thinking of me and giving me the book. It was eye opening and enlightening. I feel more knowledgeable and that is empowering
Best, Emily
Matt O’Malley, the subject of Maude Le Roux and Lauren O’Malley’s book “Our Greatest Allies,” is now a 14-year-old young man headed for high school. As he prepares for middle school graduation, 8th grade students are asked to write a short piece to share their thoughts and experiences about middle school with 6th and 7thgraders. Here is a short excerpt of Matt’s reflection.
8th Grade
Reflection
One area I have shown growth in during middle school is Math. I struggled a lot in 7th grade. Though, in 8th grade, I have improved, but math is still pretty hard and fun at the same time. I learned to control my emotions using the zones because I learned how to make friends using the emotions in the green zone. The green zone keeps my heart rate the same speed. I did get better at being flexible. I really didn’t want to have a swim team party at my house because I barely knew anyone, and I had to spend the entire spring break cleaning. After the party, I realized it was okay to be flexible every once in a while.
During middle school, I learned that running is awesome, stuffs is a word, I have amazing classmates, incredible acquaintances and friends, laughing with my friends every time we watch a video or movie or show, science rules, reading is cool, going on class trips, athletics, how to bowl, and how to live life in middle school.
The hardest thing in middle school was to make friends. Even today, it is still hard for me to make friends. It is very hard for me because I need to say “hi” to them. I need practice in making friends. Just remember to use your social filter. That is why it is hard for me to make friends.
Here are some things you need to know about middle school. You need to make friends, behave, and be positive. You don’t want to be that guy who always works alone in a group, and you should try to not make social errors. If you end up making a social error, people will think very weird and strange thoughts about you, and even hurting the feelings of others. However, if you do follow directions, be kind to others, get good grades, and ask for help – people would want to be your friend. It is very important to have friends. If you don’t have a friend, you will end up being lonely…
Matt O’Malley
written about 6 years after his story