World Autism Awareness Day Giveaway

02 Apr, 2012 by in lynn parsons, special needs, world autism awareness day 7 comments

With today being World Autism Awareness Day, Fire and Ice has paired up with author Danyelle Ferguson, author of (dis)Abilities and the Gospel to being you a very special giveaway.
Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It has had a huge impact on our family as my second oldest, almost 7, was diagnosed on the autism spectrum at age three and my youngest was also diagnosed with autism two years ago. Our weeks are filled with occupational therapy, medical visits, educational meetings and behavioral interventions. Our years have been filled with IEP meetings, blood work, legal meetings, surgeries, speech therapy and hours of advocacy for my childrens’ insurance and treatment.
Author Danyelle Ferguson and I had the privilege of appearing together on a television segment of Good Things Utah earlier this year to talk about our experience as mothers of autistic children. Her insights to special needs parenting are invaluable and on such a big day for the both of us we thought it would be wonderful to offer them to our readers. So, she and publisher Cedar Fort Books are offering one of her books co-written with Lynn Parsons to help raise awareness of useful interventions for special needs.

(dis)Abilities and the Gospel
by Danyelle Ferguson and Lynn Parsons
Paperback, 272 pages
Published May 6th 2011
by Cedar Fort, Inc.
ISBN 1599558203
Each day, parents and church leaders struggle to teach individuals with special needs. Using helpful information, real-life stories, and a touch of humor, (dis)Abilities and the Gospel provides ways for you to effectively teach people of all ages with autism, Down syndrome, bipolar disorder, memory loss, and other disabilities.
Inside this useful guide, you’ll find
• Guidance for building strong family relationships
• Steps to teaching prayer and scripture study
• Practical and creative teaching tips
• Programs to help with transitions, communication barriers, and behaviors
• Techniques to help others feel welcome and valued
Find the answers you need and overcome the challenges of teaching the gospel. (dis)Abilities and the Gospel will help you develop each person’s ability to learn and grow as you build peace in your home or classroom.
(dis)Abilities and the Gospel is a resource that may be read, reread, and used many times. . . . The authors have beautifully woven the frustrations that so many people have experienced into an action-living plan to help children with special needs. —Lloyd Kinnison, PhD. Texas Woman’s University, Special Education Department
This book is an unexpected and very welcome gift to the community of churches and their leaders. It addresses so many of the problems that children, young adults, and adults with disabilities face in church activities. —Brenda Winegar, Early Interventionist/Cofounder, Kids on the Move

About the Authors: I had the pleasure of meeting both Danyelle and Lynn at the LDS Story makers conference one year ago. They each took time out on more than one occasion to help me through some of my own questions about individualized education plans and resources in my state. Danyelle Ferguson is a wife, mom, book editor, reviewer, and writer. She keeps busy raising four angels-in-training, the oldest of which has Autism. She and her husband, John, co-founded a non-profit organization, Friends of GIANT Steps, which raises money to supplement an Autism preschool. Danyelle has been active in the Autism community for over ten years, during which time she learned that prayer and a sense of humor are the keys to not only enduring but enjoying the special needs journey.

Danyelle Ferguson discovered her love for the written word in elementary school. Her first article was published when she was in 6th grade. During high school, she placed runner up in the Pennsylvania School of Excellence for Arts program, specializing in creative writing. Since then, she’s won several awards for her poetry, short stories, articles, and other writings. Her work has been published in anthologies, newspapers, school journals, and online. Her book, (dis)Abilities and the Gospel, was released in May 2011 through Cedar Fort Publishing.

Danyelle grew up surrounded by the beautiful Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania. Then she lived for ten years among the majestic Wasatch Mountains. She is currently experiencing mountain-withdrawal while living in Kansas with her husband and family. She enjoys reading, writing, dancing and singing in the kitchen, and the occasional long bubble bath to relax from the everyday stress of being “Mommy.”

Find out more on Danyelle Ferguson’s Website and Blog. Parenting Partner, Autism Speaks

 or Author Lynn Parsons’ Website and blog

The Giveaway: Enter to win one ECopy of (dis)Abilities and the Gospel by filling out the rafflecopter form below. Open internationally, this giveaway ends April 7, 2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

7 Responses to “World Autism Awareness Day Giveaway”

  1. Jinky

    Wonderful post. I know of one young man, 16 or 17yo, who has autism and he’s absolutely wonderful! His simple and astute testimony every fast Sunday is heartwarming and genuine. His overall cheeriness is contagious. I love him!! –Thanks for spreading awareness.

    jinkyisreading at gmail dot com

    Reply
  2. Chrisbails

    Great post. My son has autism. He is great, well loved by his teachers, helpers, and classmates. All the students in his class know that Dylan has autism and they help him. This is his second year of kindergarten and it has helped so much. Dylan has a lot of people that teach him and take care of him everyday. I love the teachers for that. When Dylan was 4 years old, we noticed some things that were off. We were told he had autism, but not a severe case. Dylan has grown out of the bad stuff, and everyonce in awhile he will have issues. He still hates loud noises and has to cover his ears. Last year at school he would run off from the teachers, throw himself on the floor, and just not pay attention. Now he participates in class and plays with the other kids. I am so proud of him. He read me his first book the other day and did not need any help at all. I cried just a little.
    christinebails(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  3. Doug and Kelly

    Awesome. They did a great job. I know some of the tears cried and laughter from publishing this book. If you ever need a little help or a new idea or pick me up. Just sit down and read some of this book.

    Reply
  4. Doug and Kelly

    Awesome. They did a great job. I know some of the tears cried and laughter from publishing this book. If you ever need a little help or a new idea or pick me up. Just sit down and read some of this book.

    Reply
  5. Doug and Kelly

    Awesome. They did a great job. I know some of the tears cried and laughter from publishing this book. If you ever need a little help or a new idea or pick me up. Just sit down and read some of this book.

    Reply
  6. Anne

    thanks for the giveaway! my son everett also has autism. His primary teacher and I would love to use this book to help him. What a blessing winning this book would be!

    Reply
  7. kbrebes

    I’m a tutor of children and some have autism, so I’m interested in reading this book and spreading and sharing the good news about it!

    kbrebes at aol dot com

    Reply

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