What is Autism? Autism is when our brains are wired differently from others. Our social and communications skills are not the same as a normal person. Having autism doesn�t mean we are not smart individuals; it just means we think quite different. There are different spectrums with having autism. Some spectrums are from having childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger�s Syndrome (ASD). The knowledge of a child being diagnosed with autism is now more prevalent. Early diagnoses are the best diagnoses. For example, failure to diagnose a child at an early age versus when he/she turns five causes this child to miss out on valuable opportunities for development.

Melody’s Gifts: An Inspirational Story Of A Family’s Determination That Neither Cerebral Palsy Nor Mental Retardation Would Silence Melody’s Song This is the kind of book that will be hard for a reader, whether parent or special education professional, to put down. Melody’s mother, Louise Wade, tells the story with intense emotions. She is not a writer but a mother with a story to tell, and she tells the story from her heart and soul. At times the reader may feel on top of the world, laughing and cheering at the adventures and victories of the family. At other times, the reader may cry softly as Louise expresses the depth of her grief that can only be found in a mother’s heart. This is a true story, heartwarming, inspiring, and encouraging, about the author’s daughter, Melody Marie, who was diagnosed at fourteen months of age to be profoundly brain damaged. Fortunately, the family was living in Pennsylvania at the time. They learned of the Doman-Delacato intensive patterning therapy program, which had a center just outside Philadelphia, and they were off and running. Louise moved with lightning speed to convince Jack, Melody’s dad, and Mike, her seven year old brother, that the time had come to get little Melody crawling, creeping, walking and talking. A determined, driven mother with a bountiful supply of energy, Louise had soon organized small teams of patterners, all of which moved as little brigades to meet the enormous challenge. The family’s energies were great and were rewarded with Melody’s achievements. Their lives changed as Louise felt that the Lord was calling her into a lifelong career in special education. The career of Melody’s dad, Jack, later changed to recreational therapy. Her older brother, Mike, majored in special education in college, and was President of the student chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children. Melody became an inspiration for each member of her family. The book reveals the inner-most feelings from her mother’s heart about Melody’s life from 1962 through 2008. She did her writing the old-fashioned way with pencil, paper, and lots of erasers. Louise, now in her seventies, has been relentless in her motivation. She applied great pressure on herself to get the story told before her health limited her physical activity. She drove sixty miles to enroll in a course called “Writing Your Life Story.” A small writing group emerged from the course and Louise never missed their meetings. She plodded along for months and years, then began to feel discouraged that perhaps she would not be able to see this project through to publication. She met Sheila Nelson by happenstance. Sheila began by proof-reading Louise’s work, then a series of events and circumstances changed her role to that of re-writing Melody’s story. Sheila recognized that the load seemed to be getting too heavy for Louise to carry alone to the finish line (publication). Louise describes Sheila as “an answer to my prayers! She worked tirelessly with the greatest dedication to complete the work. Her devotion, talent and abilities were paramount in the publishing of this work.” Emily Gabrysch and Daniel Burdess, students at New River Community College in Dublin, Virginia, designed the book cover. They took hundreds of pictures of Melody happily playing her spoons, tambourine, and bells. The family selected one picture and had it framed for Melody’s bedroom door. From that day on, Melody repeatedly encouraged her mother to “write in the book.” The illustrations are from Melody’s personal photo album and pictures in her bedroom especially designed for her enjoyment. Before she could talk, the family bombarded her with meaningful pictures. Each created much happiness for all. They proved to be valuable in her early language development. “A picture is worth a thousand words” actually may be critical in stimulating communication. Louise wants Melody’s story to make a positive impact in as many lives as possible. Parents will find many practical suggestions in the book. Special education professionals will read about many unique, creative teaching strategies. Louise feels certain that God gave Melody to her for this purpose. Royalties from the book are designated to continue to help people with special needs. The story will capture the reader’s attention with the “real scoop” on raising a disabled child. It covers more than facts. Louise’ perceptions of the emotional factors are core components. Her years of wearing the parent/professional hat yielded many “out of the box” techniques. She loved to think of original ways to teach almost everything. Her special education students’ performances consistently exceeded all expectations. The book covers Louise’s career in special education providing practical, hands-on strategies. Her fourteen students at Pinkard Court, a five-room school in Roanoke County, became well known. They became famous youngsters who travelled to Washington, D.C. for the National Council for Exceptional Children convention. The audience of over five hundred marveled as retarded pupils demonstrated money skills and telling time through music. The Roanoke Red Cross personnel were impressed as the children did volunteer work utilizing assembly line work skills. As Louise taught higher functioning retarded children at Hardy Road, an open space school, the group surprised many by publishing their very own newspaper each month. The book includes experiences in Dubuque, Iowa when Louise and family moved there for her to devote her expertise to helping profoundly multi-handicapped children reach their highest potential. This story covers a wide range of opportunities for the Wades. The reader may tune in to life at Camp Winnebago. This tri-state camp served retarded people, young and old, from Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Jack had the lead as Camp Director, Louise was the Program Director, and Mike served on the staff. Wendy, the sister four years younger than Melody, was a special friend to everyone at camp. The counselors and campers voted her the most helpful little girl there. Melody has taught her family a lesson that promises to be one of the most important for the reader to learn. She taught them the value of being a cheerleader. Louise’s belief has been that a solid self-concept is the key which enables children to reach their maximum potential. Melody knows that she is wonderful. The stories throughout the book illustrate the reality of this truth. Louise fears that a current education trend in teaching many special needs children lacks the development of critical life skills. Often, they are thrust into situations beyond their intellectual capacity. They need individual instruction within specially designed classrooms. The toughest decision in the life of the Wade family is discussed in depth in this book. Providing opportunities to maximize Melody’s independence meant researching the concept of living in a group home. It was far easier, although selfish, to hang on to her. Professionally, Louise was adamant in counseling parents to recognize their responsibilities in this matter. However, it was Mike, Melody’s older brother, who was the pivotal person who made this happen in Melody’s life. The story of Melody’s move to Sunshine Place, a group home in Harmony, Minnesota, will touch the reader deeply. Perhaps the most sensitive issue covered in the book is the provision made for Melody’s care upon the death of her parents. The “Universal Fear” chapter deals with the fear every mother of a special needs child experiences, regardless of age, race, social class, or nationality. The level of disability varies widely among these children, but the worry remains constant for every mother. There are no books, codes of ethics, or rules of thumb dealing with this issue. Once candidly discussed, accepted, and planned by a family, those involved tend to experience a feeling of peace and comfort that they had previously lacked. Every reader can gain something valuable, whether methods or insights, persistence or encouragement, from this book. Reading it will be time well spent.

Melody’s Gifts: An Inspirational Story Of A Family’s Determination That Neither Cerebral Palsy Nor Mental Retardation Would Silence Melody’s Song This is the kind of book that will be hard for a reader, whether parent or special education professional, to put down. Melody’s mother, Louise Wade, tells the story with intense emotions. She is not a writer but a mother with a story to tell, and she tells the story from her heart and soul. At times the reader may feel on top of the world, laughing and cheering at the adventures and victories of the family. At other times, the reader may cry softly as Louise expresses the depth of her grief that can only be found in a mother’s heart. This is a true story, heartwarming, inspiring, and encouraging, about the author’s daughter, Melody Marie, who was diagnosed at fourteen months of age to be profoundly brain damaged. Fortunately, the family was living in Pennsylvania at the time. They learned of the Doman-Delacato intensive patterning therapy program, which had a center just outside Philadelphia, and they were off and running. Louise moved with lightning speed to convince Jack, Melody’s dad, and Mike, her seven year old brother, that the time had come to get little Melody crawling, creeping, walking and talking. A determined, driven mother with a bountiful supply of energy, Louise had soon organized small teams of patterners, all of which moved as little brigades to meet the enormous challenge. The family’s energies were great and were rewarded with Melody’s achievements. Their lives changed as Louise felt that the Lord was calling her into a lifelong career in special education. The career of Melody’s dad, Jack, later changed to recreational therapy. Her older brother, Mike, majored in special education in college, and was President of the student chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children. Melody became an inspiration for each member of her family. The book reveals the inner-most feelings from her mother’s heart about Melody’s life from 1962 through 2008. She did her writing the old-fashioned way with pencil, paper, and lots of erasers. Louise, now in her seventies, has been relentless in her motivation. She applied great pressure on herself to get the story told before her health limited her physical activity. She drove sixty miles to enroll in a course called “Writing Your Life Story.” A small writing group emerged from the course and Louise never missed their meetings. She plodded along for months and years, then began to feel discouraged that perhaps she would not be able to see this project through to publication. She met Sheila Nelson by happenstance. Sheila began by proof-reading Louise’s work, then a series of events and circumstances changed her role to that of re-writing Melody’s story. Sheila recognized that the load seemed to be getting too heavy for Louise to carry alone to the finish line (publication). Louise describes Sheila as “an answer to my prayers! She worked tirelessly with the greatest dedication to complete the work. Her devotion, talent and abilities were paramount in the publishing of this work.” Emily Gabrysch and Daniel Burdess, students at New River Community College in Dublin, Virginia, designed the book cover. They took hundreds of pictures of Melody happily playing her spoons, tambourine, and bells. The family selected one picture and had it framed for Melody’s bedroom door. From that day on, Melody repeatedly encouraged her mother to “write in the book.” The illustrations are from Melody’s personal photo album and pictures in her bedroom especially designed for her enjoyment. Before she could talk, the family bombarded her with meaningful pictures. Each created much happiness for all. They proved to be valuable in her early language development. “A picture is worth a thousand words” actually may be critical in stimulating communication. Louise wants Melody’s story to make a positive impact in as many lives as possible. Parents will find many practical suggestions in the book. Special education professionals will read about many unique, creative teaching strategies. Louise feels certain that God gave Melody to her for this purpose. Royalties from the book are designated to continue to help people with special needs. The story will capture the reader’s attention with the “real scoop” on raising a disabled child. It covers more than facts. Louise’ perceptions of the emotional factors are core components. Her years of wearing the parent/professional hat yielded many “out of the box” techniques. She loved to think of original ways to teach almost everything. Her special education students’ performances consistently exceeded all expectations. The book covers Louise’s career in special education providing practical, hands-on strategies. Her fourteen students at Pinkard Court, a five-room school in Roanoke County, became well known. They became famous youngsters who travelled to Washington, D.C. for the National Council for Exceptional Children convention. The audience of over five hundred marveled as retarded pupils demonstrated money skills and telling time through music. The Roanoke Red Cross personnel were impressed as the children did volunteer work utilizing assembly line work skills. As Louise taught higher functioning retarded children at Hardy Road, an open space school, the group surprised many by publishing their very own newspaper each month. The book includes experiences in Dubuque, Iowa when Louise and family moved there for her to devote her expertise to helping profoundly multi-handicapped children reach their highest potential. This story covers a wide range of opportunities for the Wades. The reader may tune in to life at Camp Winnebago. This tri-state camp served retarded people, young and old, from Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Jack had the lead as Camp Director, Louise was the Program Director, and Mike served on the staff. Wendy, the sister four years younger than Melody, was a special friend to everyone at camp. The counselors and campers voted her the most helpful little girl there. Melody has taught her family a lesson that promises to be one of the most important for the reader to learn. She taught them the value of being a cheerleader. Louise’s belief has been that a solid self-concept is the key which enables children to reach their maximum potential. Melody knows that she is wonderful. The stories throughout the book illustrate the reality of this truth. Louise fears that a current education trend in teaching many special needs children lacks the development of critical life skills. Often, they are thrust into situations beyond their intellectual capacity. They need individual instruction within specially designed classrooms. The toughest decision in the life of the Wade family is discussed in depth in this book. Providing opportunities to maximize Melody’s independence meant researching the concept of living in a group home. It was far easier, although selfish, to hang on to her. Professionally, Louise was adamant in counseling parents to recognize their responsibilities in this matter. However, it was Mike, Melody’s older brother, who was the pivotal person who made this happen in Melody’s life. The story of Melody’s move to Sunshine Place, a group home in Harmony, Minnesota, will touch the reader deeply. Perhaps the most sensitive issue covered in the book is the provision made for Melody’s care upon the death of her parents. The “Universal Fear” chapter deals with the fear every mother of a special needs child experiences, regardless of age, race, social class, or nationality. The level of disability varies widely among these children, but the worry remains constant for every mother. There are no books, codes of ethics, or rules of thumb dealing with this issue. Once candidly discussed, accepted, and planned by a family, those involved tend to experience a feeling of peace and comfort that they had previously lacked. Every reader can gain something valuable, whether methods or insights, persistence or encouragement, from this book. Reading it will be time well spent.