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
