Chantal Sicile-Kira ---Inspiration To All Special Needs Parents

Her name, Chantal, is the same as my daughter's. This stopped my web navigation at her site. The captivating content of her posts kept me there most of the evening. Her mission is "to empower parents and educators with the knowledge they need about autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including Asperger’s Syndrome (AS)."

At The Autism Advocate, she writes "Practical tips and musings on raising children and teens with autism" with interesting articles on sensory processing challenges, a topic of concern in our life.

The families of Special Needs children should be thankful that through her writing and speaking engagements, Chantal Sicile-Kira continues sharing her struggles and successes.

Career highlights of this remarkable mom:

*Award winning author, speaker, Autism expert and mom of two

* New book, her fourth, is 41 Things To Know About Autism (Turner, March 2010),

*Advocate for her autistic son, Jeremy, led to the Newsweek cover story “Growing up with Autism’

*Jeremy’s story featured in the MTV documentary ‘True Life’ series was the recipient of a 2008 Voice Award.

*Bilingual, Chantal has worked in North America and Europe

*Chantal’s first book, Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and other ASD’s

*Her second book, Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum: A Parent’s Guide to the Cognitive, Social, Physical, and Transition Needs of Teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorders

*Third book, Autism Life Skills: From Communication and Safety to Self Esteem and More: 10 Essential Abilities Every Child Deserves and Needs to Learn (foreword by Temple Grandin, PhD) was published by Penguin (US) in October 2008, and Random House (UK) in May 2009. 

To contact: 

twitter: http://twitter.com/sicilekira

Web site http://www.chantalsicile-kira.com/

Blog  http://www.chantalsicile-kira.com/blog/

Do you have an autistic teen?
 Does your community have support services for autistic individuals when they no longer attend public school?

Mar 15 Special Needs Stats and News-Genetic Abnormalities Leading To ASD

CMA Detects Genetic Abnormalities
 Leading to ASD

WASHINGTON: A new study has found that a genetic test that samples the entire genome, known as chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), has about three times the detection rate for genetic changes related to autism than standard tests... (Chromosomal microarray analysis detects genetic changes related to ASDs better than standard tests) CMA detects genetic abnormalities leading to ASD more often than a standard karyotype and fragile X testing *The study has been published in the April issue of Pediatrics.

Mar15 Sensory Tip- Kid Companions Delightfully Stimulating

Life is overwhelming for kids with sensory issues. Structure your child's home or school environment for him/her to be successful. Help quiet and soothe this young stressed soul using Kid Companions. They have delightfully stimulating, textured surfaces to promote oral and hand exploration.

Mar 15 Chewing and Biting Tip-Chew With Attitude!

Our task was to design an oral-motor tool to satisfy the need to bite and chew while being socially acceptable at school. Chew with attitude! The chewy Kid Companions are unobtrusive and discreet. Perfect alternative to toys and chewys that may be an embarrassment to user.

Mar 15 Fidgeting Tip- Kid Companions- Acceptable Fidgets

When my granddaughter was born at 2lbs 14oz, we knew we had a long journey ahead of us. Armed with the need, the research and the will to find an acceptable fidget for this sensitive child, that is how the Kid Companion was born.

< Grand-daughter at 8 mo. Finally out of the woods, she was a gfcf, beef free, breastfeeding and growing baby girl... Now a healthy 7 y/o with special needs.