Staff Writer
Julie van der Poel began her career in the IT industry, where over the course of a decade she wrote user documentation and training programs, developed and managed an educational services department, and eventually headed up a marketing team for an internet startup. Her somewhat accidental career shift towards special education came about during her six-year stint as an expat in Europe. Out of necessity, she became a full-time advocate and teaching support for her young son while they lived in Amsterdam. A move to London found Julie working with high school seniors in her son’s special needs school. It was this experience that fueled Julie’s passion for transition issues facing students with developmental and learning disabilities. Upon returning to the United States, Julie became an Independent Living Skills Instructor for postsecondary students. In this role, Julie developed curriculum and taught students everything from money handling and budgeting, to nutrition and household management.
Julie attended Georgia Tech where she earned a B.S. in Management. Julie now resides in Washington, DC with her family and two labradoodles. When she is not writing for Autism After 16, she spends most of her time ensuring that her 16-year-old son with Autism Spectrum Disorder and his exceptionally bright 8-year-old sister are getting appropriate educations.
Being a single mom is tough. Being a single mom of a child with disabilities is… well, even suckier.
One day last week, I discovered a pile of Cameron’s school work on my coffee table. I’m used to these piles magically appearing.
I'm currently reading a book about helping adults with learning disabilities achieve independence.
A horrible tragedy has occurred within Cameron’s school community. The father of a second grade student was critically injured, and his life hangs in the balance.
Friday night, Cameron attended his high school prom. This wasn’t his first prom, as his school invites all high school students to attend each year, and Cameron had attended the year before last.
I jumped right into the midst of the game, becoming a Hunter/Warrior version of myself, looking for the silver bullet that would magically make him “normal.”
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Between this column, my blog, and my series of children’s books, I have been able to produce a steady stream of written material.
The first I knew that Mickey’s school was holding a student art auction was from an email from Cindy, the school principal.
Being a single mom is tough. Being a single mom of a child with disabilities is… well, even suckier.
Yes, I do know my son is almost 27 years old and can handle many more things on his own than I give him credit for, but sometimes it is so hard to step back and let that happen.
I read a fascinating article this week: Jeff Howe’s CNN Money piece, “Paying for Finn: A Special-Needs Child.”
One of the more difficult things people are facing today is looking for the right job. That was one of my big challenges when I graduated from college;
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