The Coffee KlatchThe Coffee Klatch - A virtual cup of coffee for parents of special needs children.

The Bright Not Broken Show

Admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 02:58:11 +0000

Premiering May 16th Coming Wednesdays on The Coffee Klatch Special Needs Network THE BRIGHT NOT BROKEN RADIO SHOW GIFTED KIDS, ADHD, AND AUTISM: WHY TWICE-EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN ARE STUCK AND HOW TO HELP THEM Hosted by Diane Kennedy and Rebecca Banks, authors of Bright Not Broken and The ADHD-Autism Connection with Dr Temple Grandin. Diane is

Look Very Carefully – Priscilla Gilman

Admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:24:34 +0000

“Look Very Carefully”: The First Day of National Poetry Month and Autism Awareness Month On this first day of April, the first day of both National Poetry Month and National Autism Awareness Month, I share this image of quiet, stillness, beauty, peace, and promise. The photo was taken by Benj’s great-uncle Pete and sent to

Rethinking Autism – Changing The Conversation One Video At A Time

Admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:46:06 +0000

Join Dana Commandatore April 22nd on The Coffee Klatch – Autism Awareness Month Special Event

To Whom It May Concern

Admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:26:02 +0000

To Whom it May Concern, I am the parent of a special needs child. I was overwhelmed, confused, heart broken and struggling to unravel the complexities before me. Please do not pass judgement of me without knowing why I did not attend the school PTA breakfasts or community picnics. Please take a few minutes to

The Bean The Little Guy and The Cuz

Admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:22:15 +0000

The Bean and I went to my hometown this weekend — back to the place that spawned my being. I have no immediate family there, just cousins, second cousins and friends. We took the prerequisite tour – my dad’s grave, the old neighborhood, house, schools, haunts and anything else to bore the hell out of

Raising Rebel Souls – Autism

Admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:18:25 +0000

Sunday, April 1, 2012 Autism Awareness Today is the first day of April and also the first day of Autism awareness month. There are many things I have yet to learn about Autism, and I plan on devoting a good portion of the rest of my life to doing just that. There are many things

Guidelines For Choosing A Special Education Advocate

Admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:15:26 +0000

Many parents choose to use a special education advocate to support them in getting what their children need in special education. Nonlawyer advocates do not have a license to practice law, and they are not attorneys. They provide their services according to the laws of their state. Advocates are often professionals with training in special

Fictitious Thinking: The “New” Definition of Autism

Admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:13:34 +0000

Fictitious Thinking: The “New” Definition of Autism Published on January 21, 2012 by Jennifer Laviano Do you remember the character Cassandra from Greek mythology? Her curse was that she could accurately predict the future, but nobody would believe her when she warned them about it. Today I feel like Cassandra. In 2009, I wrote a

April is Autism Awareness Month

Admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:10:57 +0000

Last year at this time I had written, “As many of you are aware, autism occurs in 1 in every 110 births in the United States, and for boys, the rate is closer to 1 in 70.” As of today March 30, 2012, almost one year later the CDC as updated their most recent numbers

2011 An Autism Year In review

Admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:07:54 +0000

2011 was a good year. Connor, now ten and a half years old, is becoming quite the accomplished young gentleman. He attended fifth grade in a general ed classroom without a para or teacher’s assistant. He completed an etiquette class, joined the cross-country team and learned to swim. He began taking responsibility by completing his