Product Reviews
Product Review Part II: Step Ahead of Autism
Feb 19th
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After reading Step Ahead of Autism by Anne Moore Burnett, I felt that the stories and tools provided were so thorough and practical that I had to break up my review into two segments.
This is Part II of my review.
Steps Six through EightIn each step Anne shares a part of her story and then turns her experience into practical tips and exercises for us to practice immediately.
Step six is ADVOCATE. Here is where we journey with Anne into her first IEP meeting experience, which wasn’t smooth by any means. She openly and courageously shared how she was More >
Product Review Part I: Step Ahead of Autism
Feb 2nd
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I just finished reading Step Ahead of Autism by Anne Moore Burnett. I have to say this is one of the most inspiring and practical Autism books I have ever had the pleasure of diving into.
As a researcher by nature, most of the books in my library discuss the biology involved in sensory integration dysfunction, the nutritional and behavioral repercussions of certain food sensitivities, and the implied neuroscience behind certain brain function as it relates to Autism. Anne’s story is a refreshing and honest tale of her journey with her son Joey, who was diagnosed at More >
7 Benefits of Practicing Yoga for Autism
Nov 10th
I recently purchased Yoga for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Dion and Stacey Betts. My son was quite reluctant to try this with me (because it sounded like “therapy”). I honored his request to not be bothered with it, but what I DID do was bring the book in his room and pretend to struggle with the poses myself, finally asking in an exasperated fashion if he could help show me what I’m doing wrong. It worked! Not only did he correct my moves, he hungrily kept asking, “Are there more in the book? Can we do another one? Do More >
Special Announcement! Gluten Free Gigi’s 2011 Holiday Guide
Nov 5th
I know I’ve already posted a blog this week, but this is too exciting not to share TODAY!
I wanted to let you know about a great resource for special diets for this holiday season.
My friend, Gigi, of GlutenFreeGigi.com has created a Holiday Guide featuring over 40 fantastic recipes, each with its own step-by-step How-To video!
All the recipes are GLUTEN FREE CASEIN FREE and free from dairy, soy, and nuts! I can’t tell you how excited I am – this is an amazing and essential tool in my arsenal to help my son not be a Grinch this season because he has More >
Product Review: The Kitchen Classroom
Oct 7th
I was recently sent The Kitchen Classroom: 32 Visual GFCF Recipes to Boost Developmental Skills by Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer and wanted to share how much my son and I love it!
Having tried unsuccessfully a few times to go 100% Gluten Free/Casein Free at home, this book offers refreshing solutions and delicious, fun recipes to help make this an achievable goal for us. One of the biggest problems I encounter is purchasing gluten free versions of Justin’s favorite foods: they are twice the price and after one bite he declares that he hates it. Boom – out $7.00 for a box of More >
Round Two of Sound Training – My Son’s New Gains
Jun 8th
We’ve successfully completed our second round (“intensive”) of Sound Training and I am once again blown away by my son’s progress. It wasn’t until I sat down to create his update that I realized just how many new gains I’ve observed in the past few weeks.
During the “off time”, his brain is integrating all the changes that were created during his Listening Time. Remember, children may have different rates of integration when it comes to seeing noticeable gains. It is a process – not an overnight miracle!
You can check out the list of gains (and what I thought might be More >
How Chewelry Saved Me $14.99+ a Month
May 25th
He came home from school each day with holes in his shirt. He destroyed countless pencils, board game coins, and “reusable” plastic straws. But the worst: the perpetual trips to GameStop to replace the myriad styluses (stylii?) that were nibbled to mere nubs. Oh, I tried ultimatums, tried using economic substitutes, and even tried begging and whining
The truth is, he can’t help it. Children with autism have difficulty in regulating their sensory experiences. They can have hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to various sensations. Excessive chewing is an example of sensory hyposensitivity.
Through a social media connection, I found Chewelry by Kid Companions and More >
Product Review: Escapes, Music for Relaxing by Jeff Gold
May 2nd
I recently received a CD entitled “Escapes – Music for Relaxing” by Jeff Gold. It is described as “One hour of soothing instrumental music to uplift and revive you. As refreshing as a long walk along a perfect beach, ‘Escapes’ is the ideal tempo and rhythm for creative inspiration, massage, yoga, scenic drives or just winding down.”
This beautiful music – composed, performed and produced entirely by Jeff – is true to its word and then some. The chief reason I wanted it was to see how it might help my son relax, especially when he’s in the throes of a sensory meltdown. More >
How Important is Digestive Support?
Mar 28th
It’s well documented that many children on the Autism spectrum can have a broad range of digestive struggles. For some it can manifest as constipation, diarrhea, bloating or abdominal pain. Until recently, my child’s bathroom “sessions” would typically last 45 minutes or more, and he would have myriad accidents because he simply did not look forward to the painful experience.
Other children may have no outward appearance of symptoms but within their digestive tract there is disorder in the form of inflammation, leaky gut and food intolerances or sensitivities.
I recently started my son on a digestive enzyme, specifically formulated to aid More >
TYSA Brings TOPSoccer to the Community Again
Mar 22nd
Spring is in the air, and on the TYSA soccer field it is also buzzing with excitement! Young athletes with a spectrum of disabilities – some familiar with each other from the program’s debut in Fall 2010 and some new faces – greeted each other on Sunday, March 13 at Henderson Park.
“We are very excited about the start of the second season of the TOPSoccer Program at TYSA. The feedback from the parents, players and volunteers from our inaugural season has been tremendous. We look forward to building upon the initial success of the program and the opportunity it provides to More >
