Posts Tagged: disabilities and the gospel

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

(dis)Abilities And The Gospel Blog Tour & Giveaway

15 Jul, 2011 by in lynn parsons 5 comments

(dis)Abilities and the Gospel
by Danyelle Ferguson and Lynn Parsons
Paperback, 272 pages
Published May 6th 2011

by Cedar Fort, Inc.
ISBN 1599558203

5 stars

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

My Review: There could not be a better time for me to be reading this book. Six years ago our first child was diagnosed with special needs, a year later her brother was diagnosed with Asperger’s, and this year our youngest child was diagnosed with autism. As a mother with experience in sensory processing, mood disorders, speech delays and ADD… I applaud both of the authors! They know what they are talking about. Their words are heart felt and well researched; their methods have been tried in the home and in the classroom.

(dis)Abilities and the Gospel is a must read for leaders, teachers and parents. Our experience would have been much different had this book been around years ago as our children had their first experiences outside the home and in the classroom. (dis)Abilities and the Gospel insightfully weaves every day techniques such as chunking, PEC’s and rewarding positive behaviors into a language all can understand and apply. It will quite frankly be a life saver for each person who picks it up looking for answers.

About the Authors: I had the pleasure of meeting both Danyelle and Lynn at the Storymakers conference a couple of months 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. I can guarantee that 20 minutes spent with Danyelle if you win the giveaway would be well worth it! Fire and Ice gives five stars and a huge thank you to the authors for writing such an inspired book.
Find the Authors:

Danyelle Fergson’s Website and Blog

Lynn Parsons’ Website and blog







(dis)Abilites and the Gospel Blog Tour ScheduleJune 2nd – Christine Bryant @ Day DreamerJune 7th – Tristi PinkstonJune 9th – Tamera @ 3 Boys & a DogJune 14th – Ashlee @ Topsy Turvy CakesJune 17th – Heather JustesenJune 23rd – Rebecca TalleyJune 27th – Don CareyJuly 6th – Danette @ Everyday AdventuresJuly 8th – Sheila Staley @ LDSWBR
July 11th – Kathy @ I Am a Reader, Not a WriterJuly 13th – Jessica @ FringiesJuly 15th – Heather @ Fire and Ice by Little Red Reads
July 18th – Nichole Giles @ Star Crossed Book Reviews
Purchase (dis)Abilities and The Gospel:
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Deseret Book

Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card and a free 20 minute consultation with Danyelle!
You can ask her about parenting, church surivival, adapting lessons – or even about writing and publishing.

Two names will be drawn on July 22nd. The drawing will include 1 winner of a $25 Amazon gift card and free consultation; and a second winner of a free consultation. Winners will be announced on http://www.queenoftheclan.com/

There are many ways to enter. You must leave a comment on the reviewer’s blog letting us know what you’ve done. Please include your email address.

1 Point Each:
– Leave a thoughtful comment about the blogger’s review.
– Add the book to your “to-read” list on GoodReads– Follow our blog blog
– Follow Danyelle’s blog– Follow Lynn’s blog– Follow Danyelle on FB– Follow Lynn on FB- Follow Danyelle on Twitter @DanyelleTweets
– Follow Lynn on Twitter @ParsonsLynn

2 Points Each:
– Tell your friends about (dis)Abilities and the Gospel on Facebook with a person links to Danyelle Ferguson & Lynn Parsons
– Tell your friends about (dis)Abilities and the Gospel on Twitter with links to @DanyelleTweets

5 Points:
– Interview Danyelle or Lynn for your blog or write a blog post about why you’re excited about (dis)Abilities and the Gospel. Be sure to leave a direct link to your post in your comment so we can visit and say hello!