 The Asperger Teen's Toolkit by Francis Musgrave is a very exciting and needed book concept. As a mom of a Teen with ASD there really isn't much out there to help us guide our children through the rough waters of the teenage years. For that reason, I really appreciate the effort of this book. I especially like the toolkit concept, the use of graphics, and the chapter on depression. There is a Gender Identity and Relationship and Sex section that I would not use as they go against our religious values and aren't really something I would expect any book to cover as, I believe, they are better covered by family discussion. It's important to note that those sections are written with a secular world view and as a result may be offensive to some of my readers. Others may not have any concerns about them at all and, frankly, when there is nothing else like this on the market I'll take what I can get. The Gender Identity and Relationships and Sex sections are only 12 pages/ 136). I would just not use those 12 pages. I really saw great value in the rest of this book. The Asperger Teen's Toolkit covers important topics like bullies, depression, social media, health and more. Overall I think it's a very useful resource on a subject matter that greatly needs attention. Because I could not use all of the contents I would look for this book at a library rather than purchasing it. Those who want to purchase can do so HERE for $19.95 on July 21st, 2017 (Publication date). Disclosure: I received a free copy of The Asperger Teen's Toolkit from Jessica Kingsley Publishers via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I give this book three stars.    Tulsa Sunshine Center 2221 W Detroit St Broken Arrow, OK Local: (918) 615-6492 Fax: (918) 615-6493 My son was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder back in 2006. At the time we lived near Norman, Oklahoma and an amazing Occupational Therapist, Teresa Lee, entered our lives and made sense of all the "odd behavior" we were seeing in our child every day. I mean, what child doesn't like to go to the playground, and how could a simple bath bring screams of death out of my sweet little toddler? Miss Teresa was like Mary Poppins in my world. She taught me how to mother my difficult child. Moving to the Tulsa area was traumatic simply because I didn't think anyone could possibly replace her and I knew I couldn't do this on my own. Enter the Tulsa Sunshine Center. We now know that my son has ADHD, SPD, OCD and Asperger's Syndrome. My son began receiving Speech, OT and Behavioral services at the Sunshine Center shortly after our move here 7 years ago. He goes twice a week. They are a fantastic team and I honestly couldn't ask for more. Sometimes they are the answer he needs and sometimes they have been MY answer. It's a waiting room full of moms like me and we talk. We encourage each other. There's no judgement. As a homeschooler it's not always easy to take help from "the outside", but the staff at TSC have been more than considerate of my feelings. They ask about my curriculum to support it and suggest helpful ideas I can implement at home. They recommend android apps and soothing techniques and partner with our family in a valuable way.  Caibry and Miss Melissa on Minion Day. From check in, to the moment you leave, you will be treated as family.
 In OT with Mrs. Rachel (our new Mary Poppins), my son:
 Mrs. Karen is our speech guru. She has helped my son immensely. She now sees my oldest daughter and my third child as well. If you have a child who is embarrassed by their speech or demonstrating low confidence, Karen works magic. My oldest daughter has become a new person through Karen's influence. She learned not only how to pace her speech and articulate, but also grew the confidence to find her voice and use it boldly. I love the results we are seeing. For privacy sake, I won't show or comment on the Behavior health team except to say that they are gifted encouragers who are passionate about helping children. If you are in the Tulsa area seeking services in Speech, Occupational/ Physical Therapy, or Pediatric Counseling, visit their website to learn more. They accept several insurances and private pay. See the insurances they accept HERE. Why am I reviewing a place? I usually review products. The answer is simple: They've made a difference for my family and maybe they can for yours as well. I give them 5 stars and my sincere appreciation.  Go like them on Facebook.   Sarah's transition from starry-eyed teen to mother of ten is candid, innocent and relatable. Sarah discloses her teen years and her life changing journey into homeschooling. She describes the magical world of the woods where learning was a byproduct of life, not a rigid set of rules. She played her lessons like clever games, experienced her own version of history and became a free thinker in the most positive way. Her journey of love, faith and the shedding of labels is poignantly shared through narrative chapters and journal excerpts. As she embraces dreams and falls into her calling, you can't help falling with her and believing that anything is possible when God is at the helm. From homeschooling to missionary life, to dyslexia and motherhood, Sarah's life is on display in 294 pages complete with family photos. Each intimate, every prayer the reader witnesses fulfilled draws you closer to Sarah until you reach the end and either swear she is your friend or wish that she was. You can order your copy of Life, Love & Dyslexia: Sarah's Journal on Amazon. While you're there, be sure to look for Windows to Our World: Sarah's Journal which continues her story.  Dyslexia Games The Thinking Tree LLC 617 N. Swope St. Greenfield, IN 46140 United States 317.622.8852 PHONE (Dial +1 outside of the USA) 267.712.7889 FAX Disclosure: I received this book directly from the author in exchange for my honest review. Learn more about Dyslexia Games/ Thinking Tree, LLC at http://www.dyslexiagames.com/  Series A Books 1-6 Teach Your Child To Read, Write & Spell: 100 Easy Bible Verses Psalms for Beginners Dyslexia Games The Thinking Tree LLC 617 N. Swope St. Greenfield, IN 46140 United States 317.622.8852 PHONE (Dial +1 outside of the USA) 267.712.7889 FAX I admit that I discovered the DyslexiaGames.com website through a Facebook ad. It was their colorful, whimsical covers that caught my eye and my interest was piqued by the fact that they were materials designed with special needs learners in mind. Inventor, Sarah Janisse Brown, was just a homeschool mom like us. She wasn’t planning a business, she was solving a problem. When Sarah’s daughter, Anna, was found to have Dyslexia she did what many of us have done, she went searching for answers. However, unlike many of us, Sarah found the answer she was seeking as she began to work with her daughter’s creativity to combat the symptoms of dyslexia. Her experiments proved helpful to her daughter, equipping her with the power to read fluently. These pretty, whimsical books give me hope that my daughter can also use these tools to correct her dyslexia symptoms. Sarah’s products also work well with children on the autism spectrum or those with ADD/ ADHD. Since I have all of these issues present in my home, I’m very anxious to see how each product works for my children. I recently received a box filled with goodies to try and I’m expecting another box coming in a couple of days. I can’t even tell you how eager I am to give them all a whirl. These are beautiful books, well made and homegrown from the heart of a mommy who wanted to help her child learn. What can beat that? Consider this my teaser. In the coming weeks I’ll be sharing my thoughts with you on each specific item I receive. In the meantime, let me show you what I’ll be trying:  (value $129.50 physical or $97.50 for digital downloads)
 Teach Your Child To Read, Write & Spell: 100 Easy Bible Verses Psalms for Beginners (Current value $34.99) This workbook is truly beautiful and packed full scriptures to copy, illustrate and subtly engage children in the act of spelling, writing and reading. When pages are completed they can be colored and the book preserved as a faith-filled keepsake of your child’s learning journey.  We also received a .pdf copy of the Devotional Homeschooling Journal & Handbook (Current value $24.50). This resource claims to enable students to study eight subjects with daily Bible reading. Comprised of over 350 pages, I have confidence it will live up to those claims. In the next few days I’ll be receiving:
If you’re already sold, hop by Amazon to see the full range of books available for homeschooling, creativity and dyslexia.  |
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