Award-winning memoir inspires parents to become their child's greatest supporter, advocate, and teacher.
- creative ideas for parents, teachers, therapists, caregivers
- every vignette chosen to educate, illuminate, inspire
- covers early-childhood intervention through adolescence
- deepens your understanding, shows how to create practical strategies that are individually tailored
- be empowered at home, while dovetailing with therapy professionals for greatest benefit
- learn to teach through unconditional love, nuanced observation, and flexible guidance
- short on time? detailed Index lets you find relevant examples
Endorsed by Temple Grandin and other leading educators.
Winner: Readers Favorite International Book Award, bronze medal, 2014
Passionate, lyrical storytelling engages the reader's heart and mind.
Benjamin Breaking Barriers provides a role model:
- to focus on strengths and help the individual thrive
- to work compassionately, face the challenges, and open doors to a hopeful future
- timeless: positive parenting and creative strategizing will always be relevant
A brief sampling of topics addressed:
motivation/rewards, eye contact, sensory integration, oral apraxia, communication skills, social skills, behavioral challenges, daily life-skills, emotions/personal energy, developing/playing games, the arts as therapy (music, dance, theater, visual art, handcrafts), biochemical issues, diet, therapy animals, school strategies, "Teacher's Guide," complementary therapeutic modalities
Life-journey of Benjamin Breaking Barriers, in a nutshell...
When Benjamin was diagnosed as a toddler, there was the real possibility he might never speak or break through the isolation and inner retreat imposed by his autism. His mother, Malva, (professional musician, experienced educator) developed innovative, stimulating, and intriguing situations that fostered connection and communication.
She learned the scientific principles of ABA, then expanded far beyond them in creative and artistic ways, emphasizing a loving and positive connection. This provided a healthy foundation for building up Benjamin's life-skills, systematically, bit by bit, in a way that his uniquely wired brain could process. She also sought out the expertise of various therapists and health professionals.
As Benjamin progressed, he was gradually mainstreamed at a Waldorf-inspired public charter school with the support of special-ed resources. Throughout his school y
