Autism Awareness

Today is Autism Awareness Day -- and in honor of this day and my son Gabriel, along with all of YOUR sons and daughters, I have planned an amazing line up of interviews and guest bloggers throughout the month of April.

We begin the month with Dr. Roya Ostovar, author of The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder who will give us a fresh new discussion on SPD, and also share her experience working with kids on the spectrum in her private practice. She has some great insights into sensory issues, and is gracious enough to be giving away a copy of her book.

Then we are going to talk about 'Diagnosis Day', when you first hear out of a doctor's mouth, "your child has autism"; a day that changes everything, and nothing, all at the same time. My friend Caitlin Wray is going to share her relatively new experience, after her son was diagnosed this year.

Lynda Farrington Wilson will join us, with a great interview sharing her book Squirmy Wormy, a story based on her experience with her son, who has autism, and will highlight ways to help kids learn to manage their own sensory needs. Self regulation is key! I am also thrilled to say that Lynda has kindly offered to give away a copy of her book as well.

Then, my son Gabriel will make his debut here on HLW3B, as he leads a child-to-child interview with Taylor Morris, a teenage girl with Aspergers who will be here talking about the value of self-advocating and allowing us to see her world from the inside out. If you haven't had the chance to see Taylor, check her out here. This promises to be an amazing interview -- and an one you can actually share with your own kids.

Today is a day for awareness, to help bring understanding, but it is also more importantly, a day to celebrate the differences among all of us!

Are you wearing blue?
H