12 Easy Steps to Creating the Most Comprehensive IEP
It’s that time of year. Your daughter comes home from school and flings her backpack at you. “Teacher says to tell you there’s a paper in there for you.” Instantly your palms start sweating, your heart starts pounding, and you feel like you want to throw up. You know what’s inside without even looking. It’s […]
Continue readingWords of Wisdom: Celebrating Lights Of Goodness
Inspirational words to bring understanding and compassion for people with special needs. “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however near or far away.” — Henry David Thoreau Special needs Cherished Ones, either young or old, […]
Continue readingSelf-Esteem and Autism: Powerful Strategies You Need to Know
In my work in the autism community as an autism specialist for the past 20 years, I have seen there is no goal more important than helping your child cultivate self-esteem and an overall positive sense of self. This is important not only because it will help your child experience more confidence, happiness, and fulfillment […]
Continue readingAmazing Tips for A Successful Flight With Your Child With Autism
There are many reasons why a family may use air travel. Maybe your child with autism wants to visit his/her grandparents. It could be a holiday visit with family members who live out of state. A simple summer vacation trip out of state could involve your child with special needs preparing to board a plane […]
Continue readingAn Exclusive Look at AUTISM With Teresa Dannaway
Encouragement speaker Derrick Hayes gives an AUTISM interview by asking six questions through each letter in the word AUTISM to give readers insightful perspectives from parents, experts, entrepreneurs, and other leaders in the field. Today’s AUTISM Interview is with Teresa Dannaway who has an eight-year-old-year-old son (Tyler) with autism and apraxia. Around 15 months Tyler started having seizures and […]
Continue readingBest Ways Special Needs Parents and Teachers Can Create a Dialogue
No matter if you consider yourself aggressive, assertive, or the least confrontational person on the planet Earth, when it comes to our children, most of us have a special level of emotional intensity and defensiveness when it comes to defending their well-being. This can be magnified if we believe our children are not as capable […]
Continue readingGo Away: An Exclusive Short Story
The ink flowed smoothly from the purple gel pen onto the unlocked pages of the journal. Pent-up feelings that had no other way to escape tumbled onto today’s tirade: “Please, somebody make it stop. Make it go away. I swear I’m going to kill myself if I have to hear this one more day!!” […]
Continue readingWays to Achieve Tele-Conference Course Success with Special Abilities
Online and tele-conference courses have become prevalent in secondary and post secondary institutions, especially in rural areas. I have heard more than once that being able to learn in this way is a life skill. My son was diagnosed as high-functioning autistic when he was three-and-a-half years old. Throughout his education, he has had many […]
Continue readingWhat I Learned About Parenting and Autism as a Neurotypical Kid
Your children are just as worried about you as you are about them… My younger brother, Preston, was diagnosed with autism on December 29th, 2002. My mother would often retell the story in great detail, saying, “I’ll never forget the neurologist slamming us in the face with the diagnosis while you and Austin were standing […]
Continue readingNew Book Provides Advice on How to Become Your Child’s Strongest Advocate
As a parent of a child with extra special needs, there’s always a lot going on. Parents can be overwhelmed by child development experts, complex funding, and disability systems. There is frustration with aspects of their child’s school and therapy programs. With the constant juggling act, there is little time or energy to navigate through […]
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