Browse the following articles for a variety of topics regarding quality child care and teaching strategies.
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Printable Articles by Tara
Invite Interaction! You become really interested in the concept of interaction when someone you love seems to be "in their own world". The following are the completed parts of a 12 part series in progress. I hope to help you experience the amazing benefits of learning positive ways to connect with that special individual in your life that is experiencing challenges. Written mainly from the perspective of supporting individuals who’d be considered on the severe end of the autism spectrum, you will also find the concepts applicable to other relationships as well.
Invite Interaction! (Part 1) Why is it difficult for children with autism to interact? How can we help? Reasons it's so important to open our minds to learning - you can make a difference (yes, YOU!). Make a choice to begin.
Banish Boredom Forever! (Part 2) - How to drop assumptions and judgments and start having FUN!. Asking yourself a few simple questions helps your awareness and creativity blossom, no matter what the circumstances. Claim your power.
Deciding to Trust (Part 3) - Learn how to say "I care" or "I love you" without needing anything in return. Find out how to make your time, attention, and care as supportive as possible by realizing the value of autonomy. Discover the freedom of letting go of what you can't control, and taking responsibility for what you can.
The Non-Verbal Dance (Part 4) - Actions are the foundation to all advanced thinking and skill development. Connecting through action is powerful and effective with children at any level.
Building Foundations for Communication (Part 5) - Three no-fail methods to making interacting easier and more enjoyable for both parties. Increase your understanding of "play."
The Wonder of Words... (Part 6) - Where is the child on the action>thoughts>words staircase? How to encourage that next step with compassion and FUN.
Choose to Celebrate (Part 7) - Discover the power of celebrating! I can personally testify, making this choice is one of the most amazing shifts you will ever make to improve your life. What a wonderful gift special children offer the world!
Links to Articles by Tara
Providing for Autism: A Look into One Mother and Author's Life Greta Schraer is one of the professional nannies who blogs for Regarding Nannies.com – a national blog committed to providing resources for a strong, professional nanny foundation. This post features 5 intriguing questions regarding Tara’s insights about autism and her journey towards creating Books By Tara to help support others who work with children. (If you considering working with or becoming a nanny for a child with autism, be sure to read the comments too – great info!)
Get to the Goal One of the most important aspects of working with children who have special needs is working towards goals. When progress towards a goal isn’t made, it can be discouraging (to say the least!) Pediastaff.com featured this post in their Pediatric Therapy Corner to share 3 powerful tips that can help therapists, teachers, and parents do exactly what you want that child to do –keep trying until you reach sweet success!!!
Learning (and Re-Learning) How to Play Many adults who work with children appreciate the value of play and setting up the environment to support play opportunities. What about when a child doesn’t know how to play? What about when a child needs an exceptionally patient and responsive play partner to support his/her social and language development? A caring adult (such as YOU) can re-learn how to play by reflecting on the core attitude necessary to be spontaneous, flexible, and fun. Both adult and child learn to play together, and the results can be miraculous. Read these simple tips on what you’ll want to learn to support that special child and GO PLAY!!!
WANTED: Hope In Action Hope Magazine Online was so kind to extend an invitation to share the story about my background and the creation of the books. Do you want to change reality? This article describes the extraordinary power of acting on our hope for children. It also explains why we should be aware of our beliefs, because they fuel our daily choices that can make a profound difference in the quality of life for everyone.
Books By Tara help Autistic Children This was written to introduce the books to the readers of www.autismlearningfelt.com - a blog that reviews and discusses books, games, and toys that are beneficial for children on the autism spectrum. This article is an informative, brief summary of how the books came to be; and how they can support interaction.Books-Connecting Beyond the Pages - Great picture books are one of the BEST tools for building social connections with children, including those most significantly challenged with autism. Written for the PediaStaff eNewsletter to share creative ways picture books can be used to build the social connections necessary for promoting language development.
Autism: 10 Tips for Everyone Concerned about the increase in autism? So am I! This is a journey we are all on, and it is my hope to create more awareness so we can all learn and begin taking responsibility. Future generations will be shaped by the choices we make today. Make informed choices – here’s 10 ways to create change for the better.
The Autism Diet Connection Diet can have a positively profound effect on some children’s ability to function –sometimes even a full "recovery" from symptoms. Here’s a summary of some of the ways nutrition is connected with the symptoms of autism.
Autism: 10 Strategies for Implementing Diet Changes If your child’s diet consists of Pop-Tarts and McDonald’s, than adjusting things may not be easy. Switching from the Standard American Diet (SAD) to eating nutrient dense, whole foods takes determination and a creative attitude. It may seem overwhelming at times, but here’s 10 ways to keep yourself out of the funny farm while you make improvements. You know in your heart that it’s worth it.
Is Autism Genetic? It's Not a Fight, It's Our Future Genetics does not dismiss society’s responsibility to learn from this increasing condition and take action. Genetics are involved in everything from hair color, freckles, diabetes, and heart disease – it’s okay to be genetically "different" –we all are! We can still learn ways to improve our ability to support the growing number of children and families who struggle to make it through each day. "Autism" is a profound teacher that can teach us all ways to make the world a better place for everyone.
The Son-Rise® Program Realizing my son would be considered severely "autistic" shortly after his first birthday I began seeking answers. By far Son-Rise® is the BEST program that I have found! I’d love to see more and more public programs utilize the amazing Son-Rise® attitude. It is the most respectful, caring, effective, and FUN way to approach working with children who have significant challenges of any kind.
Son-Rise Book Review Read my review on the powerful, true story of Raun Kaufman’s emergence from autism. Now the CEO of the the Son-Rise® program and Option® Institute, his life continues to impact the world. No magic pill at all, the Kaufman family’s lives demonstrate the power that our attitude, our choices, and love can make in our lives.
Researchers Find First Signs of Autism Even in Infancy Does my child have autism? This response to a Time Magazine post emphasizes that parents do not have to wait for an official diagnosis to "take action." Connecting and playing with your child supports development, and is especially important for the child who seems unresponsive to others. If you have concerns, learn how to support your child through programs that specialize in interactive and relational therapies.
Informative Articles, Videos, and Interviews
Providing for Autism - A Look into One Mom and Author's Life the CincyNanny posted featured the books and the story behind them through this informative interview on the national nanny blog “Regarding Nannies.” What’s important for nannies to know, what resources are important for children with autism, and more is shared here on this fun, informative post that includes some personal photos.
Live at the Edge Interview Dr. Doris Jeanette specializes in holistic psychology. This is Dr. Jeanette’s unique interview with Tara McClintick on some unconventional perspectives of autism and the surprising things we all can learn from the increasing prevalence of this condition. This interview is spontaneous, thought-provoking, and unusually refreshing - enjoy!
Raising Playful Tots Interview Melitsa Avila, a UK primary and middle school teacher turned stay at home mom, created the Raising Playful Tots website and internet talk show to support modern educators and parents who value the traditional play experiences. Here she interviews Tara McClintick on why Books By Tara were created and how they can be used to support child development in fun, flexible ways depending on skill level of the child. Click here to read Melitsa’s list on why they liked the books! (This list and interview is also included in the Professional Reviews section).
It’s On with Zack! It’s on with the Autism Authors – Zack Gonzalez and Co-Host Nicci invite guest hosts/authors Tara McClintick (Books By Tara) and Kim Stagliano (All I Can Handle; I’m No Mother Teresa!) to discuss their favorite books on the subject of autism and the current autism news. All four hosts then interview Dan Olmsted – editor of www.AgeofAutism.com and author of a new book called Age of Autism which uncovers the hidden history of mercury poisoning in western medicine.
The World Needs All Kinds of Minds This is a super-inspiring 20 minute video of Temple Grandin describing the extra-ordinary difference a “differently thinking” individual can make in the world. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with children diagnosed on spectrum by using what is motivating to him/her to create fun learning experiences. The entire video is well worth watching, and the ending Q&A is simply beautiful. Temple Grandin is living proof that if we offer the right support to individuals with special needs, the entire world becomes a better place for everyone!
Inspiring Video and News Story about Team Hoyt - True Heroes This is a 5 min. 46 sec. video telling Dick and Rick Hoyt’s story, a father and some team that defy all odds and show how the power of love and drive to action can overcome any obstacle. Everyone who watches this video will be inspired and enlightened. It is my hope that we all learn to look beyond apparent “disabilities” to truly connect with the human being within – as this story shows, we can all learn and grow together. What can be accomplished together is nothing short of amazing. This is the video version of their story, and you can find the link to their official website to learn more listed with my favorite sites.
FREE Inspirational DVD of Three Families' Stories This is not an article at all, but everyone who has or works with a child diagnosed with autism should sign up to receive this FREE DVD of Jordan’s, Jade’s, and Kyle’s recovery stories. Jordan’s story “I Want My Boy Back” is a 50 minute BBC documentary of his family’s journey towards learning how to connect with their son and the amazing progress they all experienced. Kyle’s and Jade’s stories are each 20 minutes long, and are both video documentation of their experiences with the Son-Rise program from the beginning to the end – several years of reaching out are summarized in the most powerful, touching testimonials of how the right attitude and caring people can make a HUGE difference in the life of a child. Get this DVD and watch, it is amazing!
Videos of Son-Rise Provider in Action Check out what a program that focuses on interaction can look like - watch Julie Sando here. You will notice she is enthusiastic, at ease, spontaneous, and sensitive to both kids’ non-verbal and verbal communication. She believes in their potential, and it shows. Julie is an independant Son-Rise® Child Facilitator and Teacher and you can read more about her services at www.autisticallyinclined.com .
Printable Articles Tara Likes
Attitudinal Training – The Power of Thoughts and Feelings in Reaching Children with Autism– By: Steven R. Wertz and Kaitryn S Wertz. This article has been reprinted with permission from the Growing Minds Autism Programs located in Jupiter, Fla. Steven Wertz is trained in both ABA and the Son-Rise® Program . Kaitryn’s expertise is in Human Development and Mental Health. Both have over 20 years experience with families whose children are on the autism spectrum. I have printed and given this article to many, many people over the years in order to help them understand my son Jake better. I am thrilled to be able to share it with you. This is a must read for any parent, therapist, teacher and/or other individual who is blessed to interact regularly with an individual on the moderate –profound end of the autism spectrum.
