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This Follow Through Mom
When my son was first diagnosed with Autism, my top concern became getting him the services he needed. I had a lot of guilt for not knowing about his Autism sooner and not getting him enrolled into special services sooner. Although it’s typical for boys with Aspergers to be diagnosed a little later than other…
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Caring about a Diagnosis
I was born into an exceptional family, raised by my mother who was deaf, a rubella baby, with a heart condition. I have been a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for 20 years in four different states. I am also the co-founder of the Hands & Voices Military Project, we are part…
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Autism is Not a Label
Since my son was diagnosed with Autism I’ve had some pretty intense conversations about the word. I’ve read lots of blogs, become a fan of several Autistic YouTubers and listened to all of Temple Gradin’s Audible books. Here is something I’ve been wanting to say: Stop calling Autism a label. A label is something you…
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Where Two Roads Meet
Where Two Roads Meet: A High Functioning Boy and his Godmother Relate By Chelsea R. Hull and Taletha Derrington Very recently my six year-old son was diagnosed with Autism Level 1 plus ADHD. The diagnosis is where I began my journey into the grieving process. I started reaching out to people who truly understand Autism…
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Reading Tips for First Graders
“With a hybrid teaching model starting this fall, I want to get ahead on teaching my child. “ Do you have a 1st grader entering school next year? 1st grade is a critical year for learning to read, so make sure you follow research-based practices. Kids learn how to read and spell best with a systematic phonics…
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Staying Creative this Summer
Parents, We’ve all been thrown into the driver’s seat. Are you buckled up? Well, this doesn’t have to be a rocky road. Let’s smooth things out. Why not create art together? Paint rocks! Color those coloring books! These are all forms of written expression and will keep your littles one’s mind fresh with creating “content”…
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Intrigued
Have you ever met someone you thought would make a great friend? And then you learn that person has a certain expertise in an area which you do not? In learning about that a person, do you become intrigued? When it comes to our children, we know we are their true experts. Professionals are also…
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Two on Foot
Does it ever feel sometimes as though you just don’t know which way you are going? Left looks nice but so does right? Maybe one child is walking down one path and the other child can’t resist walking down the other? Can you find the beauty in that? Emily is almost 14 months old now…
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Happy Dance
After about 2 months of watching Emily sign Dad, she finally looked right at me and signed mom about five times yesterday. Everything about her sweet little hand was, perfect. She used proper palm orientation, the correct hand shape and even made eye contact. It felt great! Emily may not talk or smile as much…
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They Will Learn What You Teach Them
Learning a foreign language, and the culture that goes with it, is one of the most useful things we can do to broaden the empathy and imaginative sympathy and cultural outlook of children. ~Michael Gove Our pediatrician was impressed to see Emily copying some basic signs at her six-month checkup. She is of the age…