My Giveaways End Tomorrow for Books!

Friends, tomorrow I pick all the winners for my 3 books that are listed in the big giveaway here.  There are sooo many more you can enter too!

Click HERE to see all the items listed you can enter!

When People Say Its All In Your Head

Question:

Can I ask you, IF in the early years prior to a diagnosis when everyone claimed atypical child and it was your imagination - how did you cope with that?


Also, My son's school disagrees with his diagnosis. Easter we went to a friend's family and 3 of the people there deal with special needs children. All 3 of them approached me to talk to me about resources for him and were shocked to see the opposition I am getting from my District. I was crying because of the validation. Strangers can see it, my own son's school will deny him? Im beside myself. PDD and mood disorder and Sensory are his diagnosis now. I feel like I am going to explode!


My thoughts: 


In response to the first question, It was really, really hard. I would just smile, nod, and walk away. If my first explanation didn't work, there was just no use arguing. If anything, it really hurt. No one understands more than mom and dad who live with the child.  As far as the school goes,  Chaz's first school did the same thing so we had to switch schools for his sake. I know how you feel. If they will deny helping him then he deserves better.  

Do Tell Family Relationship Game Giveaway! Closed

Guess what?  The makers of Do Tell sent me this wonderful game and I couldn't wait to play it with my family.  Actually, I had been looking for a game like this for some time.  Even my daughter Ivy played and she was 5.  So me and my 3 sons and Ivy played.  I liked that the didn't drag on forever too.  In fact, when we were done the kids were begging to do another round.  It was fun and we got to act out scenes for each other which always made each other laugh!  Some cards would ask you to share from the heart which was neat because I learned things about the kids I didn't know.  After we played the game, the boys were even wanting to add their own scenarios to it.  I'm looking forward to even playing with this with my friends when they come over!

Also, families with autistic and deaf children have also submitted successful reviews ...and had a lot of fun playing.  You can see the reviews HERE.

I am excited to tell you that DO TELL is going to give one away to one of my readers!  Details a bottom of post!




Product Description 

Helps kids, parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and/or uncles open up to each other

Do Tell® Family takes two to eight players on a wildly imaginative, laugh-out-loud, uniquely imaginative and deceptively thought-provoking, journey.

Playing time approximately 45 minutes.  Simple to play. For ages 8 to 88!

Do Tell changes ordinary family time into quality family time. Specifically designed to enhance family communication and understanding, Do Tell opens family members up to each other in fun and surprising ways. It’s not about trivia or proving you have a great memory. It’s about having fun and getting to really know the people you love.

• Players participate through doing (demonstrating and revealing themselves through physical actions) and telling (exchanging ideas, revealing things about themselves and sharing opinions.

• This game recently earned a coveted Kidlutions Preferred Product Awardbecause it exemplifies what social-emotional development is all about. The obvious reason is that it brings families together to talk and laugh in a very meaningful kind of way. 

• It ingeniously gets family members to open up, to talk and to delve into conversations.

• The beauty of it is, the questions and the sentence stems do not seem contrived or blasé. This means that even the sometimes hard to engage tween and teen crowd won't be put off by the game. The questions are so well written, that they draw the reader in and make her really think about how she might respond or react to a given situation.

• This game may help your kids do better in school, too. That's because kids with good social-emotional skills tend to do better in all other areas of their lives.

Contest Closed

US entries only

Ended May 6, 2011

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Winner is Danielle!

*I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas a Minneapolis SEO and Web Design firm. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Teaching Children with Asperger’s about Personal Space

Question:


I'm really having a tough time getting my 8yr old w/ Aspergers to keep his hands OFF everyone. I explain and remind a zillion times a day. Ideas?


My thoughts:


Well, I'll give you an idea that works for others but didn't work for my son all the time. I explained that we should keep an arms length apart. To imagine that everyone has a bubble around them and we don't want to pop that bubble. So then he would walk around with his arms in front up him "popping people's bubble". I laugh every time I picture him doing it. BUT, it might help your child if you want to try since it's worked for others. 


If you'd like to join in the discussion on Facebook you can leave a comment THERE or you are welcome to comment here in the comments below. 


I also did some research and found this from Prospering with Aspergers and it mentions in the book , shown on the left,  Dr. Jed E. Baker provides a helpful exercise called:


“Don’t Be a Space Invader.”

The concept itself is pretty easy to teach. Draw a picture of two stick figures. The rule is, “Stand at least an arm’s length away.”

The second statement is, “Don’t Get Too Close.”

Here are some suggested activities to help teach this activity:

1. Role-play with the student a situation in which s/he must change her/his personal space.

You may want to enlist the help of another student or a sibling as an outside observer. The observer’s task is to say when the two actors (yourself and the child with aspergers) get too close, and when they are the right distance from each other.

People can switch roles. Here are some other situations to role play the proper personal space distance:

a) Greeting others the first time you see them, and saying goodbye when you leave.

b) Standing in line at school or in public (for example, at a movie, or at a store).

c) Interrupting someone to ask a question about what was said, or to ask permission to do something.

d) Riding public transportation (for example, not sitting too or standing too close to others)

e) Requesting something from someone (asking for a snack someone else is holding, or asking to play with someone’s game or toy).

f) Using a public restroom (for example, not using the urinal right next to another person if there are others available further away)..

2. Give the student incentives to practice the skill.

Tell the student you are going to test his/her ability to stay at least an arm’s length away. Then, at random times, get too close to him/her at different times, and see if s/he catches on.

3. Correct inappropriate distance when it happens.

Tell the student, “Don’t be a space invader because it will make others uncomfortable, and then they won’t want to play with you. Keep an arm’s length away.”

4. Provide rewards for when the children get it right, keeping appropriate distance:

a) Give verbal praise for correct or partially correct distance.

b) Consider giving tokens, pennies, or points for times during the day in which the child maintained an appropriate distance from others. When the child builds up a certain number of points (5 tokens, for example), give a special reward, such as snack, stickers, or privileges to play a special game.

A child with Aspergers can be given ‘homework’ of maintaining appropriate distance. Here are some good homework questions:

Who will I try this with?

When?

What happened?

How did I do?

Encouragement is the Best Medicine for Aspergers Kids

Chaz dad cheering him on

I know that there are a lot of doctors out there. Really good ones.  Doctors are important.  But what happens when we go home?  What then?

Recently I found out that a single mother to an Autistic son just committed suicide.  I wish I could rewind and find this woman.  Did you have a friend that would back her up?  A family member that would say "You can do it. Just take a day at a time?" Did she have a support group where she could relate with other moms?  My heart goes out to this boy.  I can't imagine the confusion and set back for him.

Chaz has come a long way. I say it a hundred times on here.  I'm convinced that the biggest help for him has been encouragement amongst other things.  I know there is treatment, therapy, good teachers.  I remember the days when his school day was done.  He would run from the bus and into my arms just sobbing.  He'd say "It's so hard mom.  Just so hard."  I would cry with him and hold him for as long as he needed.  I give him some milk and cookies. Whether it's through activities with the family, sports, games at home, the family are their biggest cheerleaders.  They need us to say "You can it" and "It's gonna be okay, I promise".  "Tomorrow is a new day".  So many times he'd be quick to give up and walk away.  If it was too much, he'd back away.  I know that encouragement, pushing bits at a time, and trying new territories helps him grow.  Some days I know when he's at his limit and I give him that space.

I love this saying and I want to truly live by it.  I'd love to share it with you:

*Encouragement is the best medicine to give someone. If I were to pick any gift to have in helping others, that would be the one*

To this day I don't make him do homework after school.  These days are long for any kid but add that to an Aspergers kid who is just overwhelmed at times.  Since taking away homework, which I've fought for, I've seen a difference in him.  He needs him down time.  He's at school dealing with enough as it is and being gone for 9 hours a day.  The last thing I'm gonna do is make him sit at a table some more and work

Remember that although doctors, therapist, teachers, school aids are good.... Encouragement is the best medicine and it won't cost you a dime.

Eczema and Sensitive Skin

Caleb looks almost identical to Chaz as a baby

I recently did a review for these all natural diapers made by Mother-ease that are easy on sensitive skin.   When Chaz was a baby and toddler, he had such sensitive skin it would bleed.  I tried so many disposable diapers but each one would give him a rash real bad.  I felt so bad for him.  Even his face would have a rash and bleed.

I sooooo  wish I had something like this for him when he was a baby.  I am now using this for my youngest son.  Just wanted to share in case any of my friends here are experiencing the same issues.

You can read my full review HERE!

Aggressive Behavior Towards Siblings

Question: I am needing some help. Andrew is becoming increasingly aggressive at home. We have no problems with it at school only at home. He has been viciously attacking Kendall with no predictive behaviors. He can be laughing one minute then smacking, kicking, dragging, or attacking Kendall. We don't know what else to do. We have tried time outs, attempted to find out what triggers the behaviors,etc. He is also becoming increasingly destructive and defiant. I just don't know what to do. Any words of advice?



My ideas on it: I totally understand how you feel. My son went through this for a few years. I am trying to jog my memory back. I remember that sometimes when he was feeling aggressive I would keep him by my side and ask him to be my buddy for a bit. If I was doing laundry, I'd have him tag along around the house with me and help me. Sometimes I'd literally have to hold him in a bear hug for a bit till he stopped kicking and fighting. I would talk really, really calm. Almost like unwinding him. Also, I lately earmuffs has been working and weighted vests to calm him down. When I was really desperate, I would put him in a chair with coloring stuff, relaxing piano music playing and put a seatbelt over waiste. Like in a car but at the dining room table. I remember in those days not getting very much done because I had to keep Chaz and his younger brother (only 12 mths younger than him) under my watchful eye at all times. It was easier for me to clean at night when they were sleeping. My son that is only 12 months younger is a total sweetheart and I had to fiercely protect him. Don't feel guilty about your house if this is the case! I still get more work done at night than in the day. Once your son is in school, they also will really work with you (if you get the right school) and help your son.  I felt helpless so many times. But you ARE helping him and it's just crazy for you right now. I promise that as he matures, these behaviors will change also. At that age they act out more physically. Chaz's teacher taught him to use his words rather than hit. Then I would encourage it at home too. When he wanted to hit, instead he learned to say "I am VERY angry!" Now he rarely hits. He is still aggressive but mostly with wrestling rather than hitting. I have 6 kids but he's learned to only wrestle the older boys and not the little ones. :) It's a rollercoaster ride of your life but just keep hanging on! It'll get smoother as he learns how to handle his aggression.Hope this helps!


*Feel free to add your experience and/or suggestions in the comments!  

Read an excellent article by John Robison called:

When Should You Tell a Child They Have Asperger's?

When did you tell your child?  If you haven't, when do you think you will?  Would love your thoughts on this article.

When Does Mom Get Me Time?

Sometimes I get questions on my facebook page or just people needing to have someone to talk to.  A woman recently wrote...

Some days it's very hard not to take all the Aspieness of our lives personally. The inability to actually connect on an emotional level is beyond frustrating. What set this off? After nearly two hours of fun in the sun at the beach....just the two of us, my daughter tells me she wants to go home because she's homesick. What??  It's 85 degrees....we live in PARADISE (less than two miles from the sand). WHY do we have to go home? Because my daughter has Asperger's and a tremendous amount of anxiety to go along with it. I get that it's not about me. But when is it going to be about me? So now we're home and I've vacuumed the upstairs........sigh.

We took a much needed break and went swimming this
weekend. 

There is nothing wrong with needing "me time".  In fact, that helped me during the really turbulent years with Chaz.  Even if all you do is take a bubble bath with a candle and a book every single night, it'll give you a small break your brain and emotions desperately crave.  Yes, we have to change some things for Chaz, but in a large family, he knows we can't always cater everything to him.  We bring along tools that help him to calm down.  Example: iPod, hand held game, books, dvd player, ear muffs, drawing materials, snacks, etc. Even sunglasses help Chaz.  If we needed to take breaks for Chaz and go into a quiet area for a bit then we'll do it. In 2009 we all went to Disneyland. There were times where we just needed to take breaks from all the craziness and just snack and relax in our own area where we could have some peace.  My point in all that is there are other ways to find some peace without having to give up a much needed getaway.  Please, don't ever feel guilty for needing some me time.  Sometimes that's the one thing that keeps our sanity and helps us to be a more patient mom/wife.




Can vote once a day!  :D
   

Giveaway Bonanza Honoring Autism Awareness Month is Here!

It's HERE!

The 5th Giveaway Bonanza honoring Autism Awareness Month!  Click HERE to see a listing of giveaways across the web.  There are over $1,100 books and DVD giveaways and you can enter any or all of them to win!  I have 3 of my own listings in there but there are many, many more to see and enter! There are reviews and giveaways on books about ADHD, Autism, Aspergers, Bipolar, IEP, Parenting, Sensory Processing Disorder, Social Skills, Stress, and more!

If you'd like to keep updated of my giveaways each week you can follow here on Google, email subscribe, Twitter, or on Facebook!

Water Safety for Autism and Aspergers Kids

Compliments of Autism Asperger’s Digest

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Water Safety: The Ultimate Life Skill

By James Ball, BCBA-D

Excerpt reprinted with permission from Autism Asperger’s Digest, July/August 2010 issue. www.AutismDigest.com

According to the National Autism Association, drowning is the #1 cause of injury-related deaths in children with an autism spectrum disorder. In 2005, 14 children with ASD died from drowning, when these children wandered off and were attracted to the water. Children with ASD do not fear “death” the way we do. At early ages, they do not understand the finality of death nor are they afraid of those things that could cause death, like water.

We know:

• Kids drown without a sound.
• It takes approximately one inch of water to drown in – a frightening statistic.
• 90% of drowning deaths occur while the child is being supervised.

Therefore, it is critical that, right from the very beginning when our kids are young, we teach them water safety and how to swim. Learning this lesson too late can be tragic and heartbreaking.

Teaching Water Safety and Swimming

Sensory Issues

A significant proportion of kids with an ASD have sensory issues, which complicates how we teach them to swim. The old-fashioned way our parents did it (throw you in and see what happens) just doesn’t float. (Yup, that’s what my father did, and I’m lucky I made it!) Kids with an ASD may need to ease into the pool and get used to the water before they are able to enjoy the experience enough for concrete lessons to start. Others may love the pressure they get from the water and just jump right in, not cognizant of drowning as a danger. It’s important we make the experience enjoyable from the start. From there you can teach them what they need to do once in the water.

Teach Swimming

The same teaching strategies that make kids with an ASD successful in the classroom will also make the child a successful swimmer.

• Minimal Distractions

Make every attempt to minimize distraction while the child is in the water. If there are a lot of people in the pool turn the child around, so she can’t see what is going on at the other end of the pool. Also, pool areas echo, so be prepared if the child has any vocal “stims” and try to redirect the child back to the swimming. Or schedule lessons on off times, when less people are present, or, if needed, do private lessons.

• Use of Visuals

Use pictures to show the child the steps involved in swimming. Combing the visual with your explanation will give him multiple ways of understanding the sequence of steps and your expectations. Laminate the pictures and bring them in the pool. You may also want to show the child a video of swimming prior to getting in the pool. Video modeling is a great way to teach new skills. If you can’t find a pre-packaged teaching video, create one of your own using a neurotypical sibling or friend as the “actor.”

• Consistency

Whatever approach you decide to use (there are tons of examples on the web) make sure you use it consistently every time. Spectrum children learn through repetition, and lots of it!

• Task Analyze

Break down the steps to swimming and teach each one until the child can do the skill with little or no guidance. Do not overwhelm the child with too much information all at one time. Just putting his face in the water may be a huge accomplishment in and of itself!

Teach Water Safety

Swimming and water safety are not synonymous. They are different skills and should be addressed differently. All children, whether or not they ever want to put their little toe in the water, should be taught water safety skills. And the #1 rule is this: unless an adult is present, the child should never go into any body of water, be it a kiddie or adult pool, a fountain, a stream, a pond or lake, or the ocean. They need to be taught this very specifically and concretely.

The more able child: Many children on the autism spectrum are highly rule driven (sometimes to a fault). In this instance it is a great thing! Make specific rules around water.

• You do not go near water without an adult with you. You may even make it more specific, adding distance to the water, how near the adult should be (i.e., an arm’s length away, in visual sight, holding your hand, etc.) and/or citing specific people, like Mommy/Daddy/Grandpa).

After the rule is established, practice it. Don’t assume the rule on paper makes complete sense to the child in a real life situation. Take the child around water and see what happens. You want to know if there are loopholes in your thinking and make necessary adjustments in your teaching. Each time the child follows the rule, heap on the praise and reinforcement.

The less able child: We still use rules for the less able child, but we may break them down more concretely and use more visuals to teach them. For instance, the rule might be something like this: “You do not go into the water without a familiar adult holding your hand.” Have the child take your hand, walk to the pool and jump in with you. Every other time the child is around a stream, pool of any sort, lake or ocean, have her take your hand, walk to the water and go in together. Again, reinforce the child when he follows the rule and does what is expected.

Water is an awesome sensory experience for children with an ASD. It can foster language, social skills, and fine/gross motor development. It can also be a place where tragedy can strike at any moment. Remember, enjoy the water, but also respect it. Teach your child what to do around water and how to be safe. Then go out and have a wonderful summer!

Find more information about swim instruction at one of these websites.

American Red Cross. www.redcross.org

NCPAD Swimming Resource. www.ncpad.org/videos/fact_sheet.php?sheet=315&view=all

Swim Lessons.com. www.swimlessons.com

YMCA. www.ymca.net/programs

BIO

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Jim has been working in the field of autism for 20+ years helping children, teens and adults with ASD. An author and requested national speaker, Jim runs JB Autism Consulting Services, working with schools to find success in designing programs for students with autism/Asperger’s. Learn more at www.jbautismconsulting.com.

Copyright © Autism Asperger’s Digest. All Rights Reserved. www.AutismDigest.com

Prefense Non-Alcohol Hand Sanitizer Giveaway!

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Chaz has always been particular about keeping his hands clean.  I remember when he was only a toddler crying because his hands were dirty.  Playing in the mud was not a fun activity by any means.  After my boys picking up the flu from school and passing around the family, I've decided it's about time to start carrying hand sanitizer around.  Some moms however are hesitant for their kids to carry it around because of the levels of alcohol in it and how kids tend to put their hands in their mouth.  Prefense Non-Alcohol Hand Sanitizer takes care of that problem and it's not sticky on your hands at all.


Product Description

Why our hand sanitizer is superior to others on the market! 

• No alcohol! Prefense is made of all-natural organic ingredients and has absolutely NO alcohol in it!
• Our technology protects you for 24 hours or 10 hand washings!  This is what moms really love to hear about!
• Prefense is non-toxic and safe for kids! It will not hurt you if swallowed!
• Prefense is silica based which means it doesn’t dry out your hands like traditional alcohol sanitizers.  It actually smoothes and softens your hands. You can totally see this when you apply it!
• Prefense protects against staph, strep, E.coli, drug resistant MRSA strains, and more. We fight germs that other hand sanitizers can’t.
• Because “one spray lasts all day” our 1.5 oz Prefense Botanicals Hand Sanitizer offers 120 applications, costing only $.08 per day, compared to $1.20 per day with alcohol hand sanitizers.  

You can learn more by visiting them on Facebook and Twitter.

Giveaway to US residents and it's easy to enter!

Contest ends April 22, 2011 at 3pm

How to enter:

Just leave a comment with your email address! 

(1 entry)

Bonus entry:

Follow this blog or subscribe via email

(Leave separate comment with email address)

(1 entry)


*********
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

When a Friend Moves Away #Aspergers

On my Aspergers Mom page on Facebook a friend asked:

"Help! My sons neighborhood friend came over yesterday. He told us he moved and he just came to say good bye. I'm so stressed thinking what today and the next 2 weeks will bring. My aspie does not do well with change! This is his best friend! They are together EVERYDAY. Any advice? I know in life "things" happen so I'm going to use this as an experience. I just hope we can maintain a calmness of some sort."

Ohhh, my heart just fell for him.  I know how hard it is sometimes to just make a good friend where they'll accept you for who you are. Especially for Aspergers kids.  My thoughts quickly went back to when Chaz was in Kindergarten and he finally found a good friend.  This boy was not Aspergers but he was very mature for his age.  He also had lots of patience.  I never saw him get upset with Chaz and whenever my son was around him, I saw the calming affect he had.

Taking Chaz's friend with us to Science Center (far left)

My response to the question on Facebook:

Is it too late to get his information of where he moved? I know how you feel. My son finally found a friend who was our neighbor. They got along fantastic. Chaz still has never found a friend like that since where they could hang out all the time and just really connected. Chaz was broken hearted. The next best thing I did was ask for the boy's new address so Chaz could write him and maybe even call. Also, we made sure to invite him for birthdays. Once we even drove far to pick up Chaz's friend and took him to the Science Center with us. If your child's friend is moving too far, writing a phone calls could really help. :)  Sometimes Chaz has even been able to use Skype to have video conversations and loves to show his new toys.  

Can vote once a day!

The Child with Autism: Learns about Faith Review

Can Purchase at
Future Horizons

 Contest Ended: Winner is Iloveanaspie! 

(After you read about this book, scroll to the bottom to read how to win it!)

The Child with Autism:

Learns about Faith

by Kathy Labosh

Binding: Paperback 

Pages: 97

$14.95

15 ready-to-use scripture lessons, from the Garden of Eden to the parting of the Red Sea

We've always taught our kids lessons straight from the bible every night before bed.  Ever since Chaz was a baby/toddler he's been learning about the Garden of Eden, David and Goliath, Jonah and the Whale.  However, we've never had scripture lessons to use like this.  So I pulled up a chair and looked up one of the lessons about Joseph and his coat of many colors.  It was really neat because after I read with them, we got into a discussion about it.  I love questions that we can ask and discuss with each other. It also lets you include a visual illustration and tells you what you need to set it up.  It's nothing that is long and drawn out so it keeps their attention.  I really enjoyed sitting with my boys talking about our lesson for the day which usually led them into opening up about things going on in their daily lives.

The book explains:


How They Learn
Before you can begin to teach a child with autism, you need to understand how autism affects the ability to process information.  You will understand why most traditional methods don't work for these children.  But most importantly, you will learn simple teaching methods that do reach children with autism...

About the Author:

Kathy Labosh graduated from Penn State and became an economist. She is now a stay-at-home mom to Sam and Nicky, both of whom are children with autism. It became her mission to help others in similar situations. Kathy formed a Special Education Religion Class and is the author of a specialized curriculum for children with autism, currently in development. Kathy has also received an Honorable Mention for children’s fiction from Writer’s Digest.

Kathy continues to work on additional books in The Child with Autism series, including The Child with Autism at Home and in the Community (2011), The Child with Autism Goes to Florida (2011), and The Child with Autism Learns MORE about Faith (in progress).

Ms. Labosh is also a speaker on the topic of autism. She spoke at the 2005 Catholic Educators conference, and has presented information to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She frequently speaks to groups near her home. 

****************

GIVEAWAY!!!!

Contest Ended

It's so easy to enter this giveaway.  

All you have to do is be a follower of this blog or subscribe by email.  

Then leave a comment stating that you are a follower. Please also leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!  :)

Bonus Entry:

Follow Aspergers Moms Page on Facebook!

(Leave separate comment on here with email so it's a second entry)

Autistic Basketball Player

This boy had me crying, cheering, and laughing with joy while watching him in this video.  This video will make your heart soar...

The Gift of an Aspergers

Chaz has brought me on a journey I never, ever expected in a million years.  

I never expected to love someone for it so much.

Chaz was my firstborn out of six and he has taught me more than learning to change a diaper, sleepless nights, how to handle stress, and which video games are popular.  

He opened me up to a whole to new world of compassion, empathy, patience, endurance, faith, true contentment, determination, joyfulness, creativity, passion, and true love.

I was that person at one time that just saw a kid being naughty in the store and was quick to assume the parents just didn't discipline.  I never thought that maybe her child had autism.  Or anything that might cause their senses to be overloaded.  I never thought that  maybe the mom could use a kind gesture or words of encouragement.  Chaz taught me not to judge just by the surface of something.  Even if that child didn't have Autism, all kids and moms have bad days. No one is perfect.  Maybe they missed a nap, were hungry. Maybe the mom just received news of a loved one passing and doesn't have the strength to handle a tantrum and is exhausted and heart torn.  Maybe the child is just having a tantrum.  Not the end of the world and that certainly doesn't mean they are a bad parent.

Chaz taught me to just smile at someone who even has a scowl on their face.  Maybe they lost their job last week or they just don't feel like anyone loves them.  Maybe they live alone and don't have someone to greet them when they come home and serve them a hot meal or say I love you.  Maybe, just maybe, someone being rude to you thought about ending their life once they get home. Maybe my smile and a pleasant "Hope you have a good day" will make them rethink a bad decision.

I thought I knew it all before I had kids.  Chaz taught me that I was missing out on what true love really means.




Can vote once a day!

The Child with Autism: At Home & in the Community Book Review

Purchase at Future Horizons

Giveaway Ended:
Winner is peridot8003!

Pssst...

Giveaway Rules at bottom of this post. 

The Child with Autism: 

at Home & in the Community

by Kathy Labosh and LaNita Miller

Binding: Paperback
Pages: 100 

Price: $14.95

At Home & in the Community has over 600 must have tips for making home life and outings easier for everyone!

The part of the book that first caught my attention was in the preface of the book shared by Kathy Labosh.

"I would  like to claim that I am the super-parent who can do it all, but it is better to be someone who realizes her limitations.  To survive, you have to recognize your need for other.

The roots of the Community portion of the book reach back to a time when I felt despair."

She goes on to share that her son learned best while being taken into the community.  That's where most of the hints and strategies come from as they were gleaned from first hand experiences.  She would like to share with people through this book and, wow, what a blessing for us. 

In this book you'll learn about:

• Your mental attitude and the importance of taking care of yourself

• Making time for your marriage

• How to help your child with their sensory issues in their room.  (Types of sheets to buy, clothing, how to adjust their surroundings for comfort).  

• Behavior and Communication

• Diets that may help and how to learn what foods possibly might affect them negatively.  How to find out yourself.

• Hygiene (I loved how it suggested to relax about toilet training.  Chaz did not learn till he was over 4 years old how to potty in the toilet).

• Tips for keeping your possessions clean and protected

• Tips on teaching manners

• Protecting your "escape artist".  (I still remember when Chaz escaped when he was two. He was furiously peddling on his tricycle to 'grandma's house' which was about a mile away.  I was scared out of my mind)

• Social outings and interacting with their peers.  What places help teach typical play with their peers.

• Tips for eating out with your ASD child

...and so much more like visiting the mall, the barbers, the grocery store, the movie theater, church, the amusement park, sports and sporting events, the doctors, taking medicine, the dentist, the hospital, the library, family gatherings.

This is a HUGE compilation of ideas and tips!  I've had to learn the hard way in the past while going into unknown territory with my son.  How wonderful this book would have been for me to get a heads up on how I can create an atmosphere my son can handle.  WHEREVER we are going. These are hands on suggestions that only another parent of an autistic child could have learned through personal experience. 

*************************************

Meet the Author:

Kathy Labosh graduated from Penn State and worked as an economist. She is now a stay-at-home mom to Sam and Nicky, both of whom are children with autism. It became her mission to help others in similar situations. Kathy formed a Special Education Religious Class and is the author of a specialized curriculum for children with autism. She also received an Honorable Mention for Children’s Fiction from Writer’s Digest.

Kathy continues to work on additional books in The Child with Autism series, including The Child with Autism Learns about Faith (2011), The Child with Autism Goes to Florida (2011), and The Child with Autism Learns MORE about Faith (in progress).
LaNita Miller is the author of beginning textbooks, and received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Austin Peay State University, and her master’s degree in Special Education from George Peabody College, which is part of Vanderbilt University. She is currently completing her certification in behavioral analysis. She has over twenty years’ experience in the special education classroom.

  

ENTER GIVEAWAY!!! 

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