I know you’re out there. You have a child with autism or some other special need, and you’re wishing you could skip Valentine’s Day. For whatever reason–watching your child get left out, the hyperactivity, the extra work, not hearing “I love you” from a nonverbal child.
I send you a virtual hug and chocolate. Continue reading
Here are a couple of interesting facts about Jackson Mississippi, first it’s the largest city in the state, and second, two experts in the world of Sensory Processing Disorder (Carol Kranowitz & Britt Collins) will be there on February 17th, at Jackson Convention Complex, for one day only, to talk to you about; different types of SPD, recognizing co-existing problems, discussing research studies, defining sensory diets and describing how they work, employing sensory activities that kids LOVE, assisting students with difficult transitions and much, much more! Visit www.FHautism.com or www.SensoryWorld.com for more information. Use the code HATS for a 15% discount!
Today I am happy to bring you Dr. Kathy DeOrnellas as this week’s Wednesday’s Woman. She is the co-author of a book I love, What I’d Wish I’d Known about Raising a Child with Autism. You will soon be able to read my review of this book over at Home Educating Family’s review site. In the meantime, there is a discount code at the bottom of this post if you just can’t wait! And now, here is “Dr. Kathy” in her own words…
Thank you so much, Jenny, for asking me to be Wednesday’s Woman! I would love to tell your readers about some exciting developments in autism research and hopefully enlist their involvement. Continue reading
I’m very excited. Today, my review of Bobbi Sheahan’s book What I Wish I’d Known about Raising a Child with Autism is going live on the Home Educating Family review site. I wish I had this book two years ago! Here’s an excerpt from my review:
Homeschooling mom Bobbi Sheahan is funny. She’s down-to-earth. She has four children, and two of them have special needs. One of her daughters has autism. I’d say these things make her the perfect choice for writing What I Wish I’d Known about Raising a Child with Autism. Frankly, I wish I’d had this book over two years ago!
Bobbi teamed up with her daughter’s psychologist, Dr. Kathy DeOrnellas, to write this book that gives “heartfelt guidance for the first five years.” These ladies wrote What I Wish I’d Known for those who wonder if their child might be on the spectrum and for those who know their child is on the spectrum. If you are an autism parent, you will laugh, cry, nod your head, and learn some things. You will feel as if you have met people who understand. You will feel like you are not alone.
To read the entire review and see if I think her book is really worth $14.95, head on over to Home Educating Family reviews. What are you waiting for? Don’t you want to see what I think of Bobbi’s book? THERE’S A GIVEAWAY! Go!
I’m guessing based on the demographics of my readers, that most of you are familiar with the 90s classic movie The Princess Bride. In there, Vizzini cackles, “Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!” Well, I have created my own spin on that famous line. Continue reading
I admit I was a bit surprised when I saw “How an Abortion Saved the Lives of Many” splashed across the top of the latest issue of Home Educating Family Magazine. However, I knew there had to be a twist. Continue reading
Once upon a time there was a little boy with Aspergers syndrome. Sometimes he had a hard time calming his body, especially when he started to get upset. His mommy loved him very much, and she tried to find ways to help him learn to calm himself.
One day the mommy had an idea. “I could get my son a rainmaker toy. He would enjoy watching the beads fall down, down, down through the holes. The rain-like sound they make as they cascade down will distract him from his anger, and be soothing to his spirit.” The mommy searched, and eventually found a rainmaker toy.
The mommy, as many Aspie mommies do, made a big deal of this toy. She created a great sales pitch, and explained to her little man how it was an Aspie tool. She showed him the beads falling and pointed out the calming sound they made. The mommy told her Aspie that when he started to get angry, he could get his rainmaker toy, sit on her bed, and calm himself by watching it.
She had high hopes.
The Aspie son decided to check out his new rainmaker toy. He took it to his favorite corner of the couch, curled up his legs, and tipped it over. The mommy went to the kitchen to start dinner, smiling as she thought of how this was going to help her son.
A few minutes later, in the midst of chopping vegetables, the mommy heard a different sound. It was not pleasant like rain drops. It was banging. And more banging. AND MORE BANGING. Her Aspie was banging on the top of the rainmaker toy. He was not calm. He was becoming frustrated. Quite frustrated, in fact.
You see, this little man was frustrated. Some of the beads were stuck at the top, and were not going down the little holes. Like they were supposed to. They were not following the rules.
And so, what was intended to be a calming toy became of source of consternation and now lays discarded on the bedroom floor.
Moral: Things are not always as they seem.
Now it’s your turn! Have you ever had a time when you bought something for your child, and things went horribly wrong, or it got used in a much different way than you anticipated? Share your story in the comments!
