The Autism Answer Book is a great reference book that includes more than 300 of the Top Questions Parents Ask. Areas to review when reading this book are:

• What is Autism?
• Getting a Diagnosis
• School Success
• Treatment Options
• Fair Discipline
• Social Connections
• Communication Differences
• Valuing Passions
• Sensory Sensitivities

Pay special attention to Chapter 11, School Success. Here you will drill down and address topics that should be addressed in the IEP (Individual Education Plan) meeting.

I want to share a book with you. The Autism & ADHD Diet by Barrie Silberberg is a remarkable book that I refer to clients when I meet a child such as Noah. Today, I referred this book again and I thought I should post it on our web so that parents could easily locate the book and include it on their home reference shelf.

The rate of ASD has increased alarmingly in recent years. In 1995, one in 500 children was diagnosed with autism. In 2000, the rate was one in 250. Today, in 2008, it’s one in 150, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Noah's Story

Noah was a wild boy before he began second grade. His father and I were called to the school for an IEP (Individualized Education Program) meeting. Because of Noah’s out-of-control behavior, school officials didn’t want him there. Yet they were willing to have professionals observe him and try to fit him into a regular class. The plan was to meet again in November and decide what to do.

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Any parent with a child planning to attend college... MUST READ Zac Bissonnette, author of Debt-Free U on how to best manage the financial obligations of the college experience. Don't overspend and prevent loans...even if you have not financially planned for college...it can still be done... A must read for both parent and their child....helping to be responsible financial citizens...with a debt free future in mind.

BE S M A R T about the college choice.

A great opportunity to take your young kids to the Children's Theater to see If You Give A Mouse a Cookie.

Keep learning fun this summer with activities such as the Children's Theater.

Two books you should read are: Drive by Daniel Pink and The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner Both books sum it up by stressing the importance of having pride and interest in what you do. Most schools ignore career-oriented approaches with combined learning on the job classroom instruction. I read a sample test question from the Common Core State Standards Initiative test that intends to ensure that all students leave high school ready for college or careers: "Give me 8 sheep and then we will have an equal number," said one shepherd to another: "No, you give me 8 sheep and then I will have twice as many as you," replied another shepherd. How many sheep did each shepherd have to start with? Write an equation or inequality that has (a) no real solutions; (b) infinite number of solutions; and (c) exactly one real solution. It is much easier to score factoring test questions than that of language arts. I personally believe that is the core problem with our standardized testing approach.

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Do you want to help your child achieve their goals without the delay from personal road blocks? Today I met the author, Arlene Johnson and her book is titled: Success Mapping; Achieve What You Want ... Right Now!

If you are the parent of a high school junior or senior this is the book to buy for them this holiday season or for graduation! A must read before starting college!

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I just finished the book "Fixing my Gaze" by Susan Barry. This true story is about a neuroscientist who discovered the wonders and beauty of binocular vision at the age of 50.

Sue had strabismus as a child and while 3 surgeries managed to "straighten" her eyes she never developed binocular vision. This is actually very common among those who have had strabismus surgery. Only about 1/3 of all patients who undergo strabismus surgery develop binocular vision. Sue became a very successful neuroscientist despite her so-called disability. She really didn't think she had missed anything by not having binocular vision.

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