Regression or Progression?

I recently did my mid-integration checklist and interview for Justin’s Listening Training. As he is getting ready for his next intensive, I wanted to share some amazing gains I observed – new behaviors that I attribute to his first round of EnListen® and additional supports from home, including: Introduction of Chewelry to redirect chewing (I’ll [...]

Our Listening Training Experience So Far

Listening Training? Huh? Is that some new form of obedience school for children? No, silly! It’s an awesome auditory processing tool that I decided I wanted my son to experience. From EnListen®: Listening is the primary foundation for competency in speaking, reading, writing and social interaction. There is a difference between hearing and listening. Hearing [...]

What You Think About You Bring About

How often do we find ourselves dreading an event, visit, or simple errand with our child? We look at past behaviors or incidents and expect the worst, based on what we experienced previously. We may even go so far as to picture the meltdown occurring and already start feeling frustrated and frazzled by the anticipation [...]

Braving the Public… Meltdowns and “The Look”

I posted a question on Twitter and Facebook last week that stirred quite a few comments! The question was: Parents: how many times have you gotten “the look” in public places… as if people were saying “Why can’t you control your child?” The myriad responses I received ranged from “It is so stressful, we don’t [...]

What’s So Familiar About Cheese?

Why Emergency Responder Education Part II – Behaviors

Yesterday I participated in a beautiful 9/11 memorial service and emergency preparedness festival. I am still brought to tears when the events of that horrific day are described by anyone, especially those who serve in public safety. I am honored to be a part of a huge calling to encourage citizens to get involved and help [...]

A Valiant Effort + Failure = Great New Programs

So I passed the Firefighter written exam with flying colors – very exciting!  I come from a family of firefighters, paramedics, and police officers, and this opportunity made me light up with passion.  I helped start our county’s Citizen Volunteer programs with Fire Rescue four years ago and have been chomping at the bit ever [...]

I Took the 7 Link Challenge!

I was perusing through my favorite feeds and came across a unique content idea from ProBlogger that I just HAD to use! The article recommends publishing a list of 7 links to posts that I (and others) have written in response to 7 categories, complete with reasons why I chose each particular post. Here are [...]

Mommy’s Love Donation

I always do my best to provide a positive, supportive and loving environment for my children. If you’ve read anything I’ve posted over the Social Web you know that I celebrate them as often as possible. Yet, at times, their self-image suffers. My son is especially verbal about it. If I ask him to stop [...]

Social Skills Tips from Special Guest Sue Diamond

Children who present with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Central Auditory Processing Disorder, and language and learning disabilities tend to have issues with social skills (pragmatic language). They want to interact, join in, play, converse, and have friends.  However, many times they are isolated and ostracized by their peers because they miss social cues.  They may [...]