As little girls we played house and created a world with the perfect home, husband and child. Pretending to be a mom was a world with aprons, easy bake ovens, high heel shoes and pretty red lipstick. We knew this to be true, we saw it everywhere. It was in our living rooms everyday. Donna Reed, Leave it to Beaver, Make room for Daddy even I ...
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Thank you for the incredible response to this writing over 43,000 reads! Dear School Personnel, Community Members, Teachers, Parents and Neighbors, 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 ...
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Writings of support and inspiration for parents living the life unexpected – the life with a special needs child. To a parent with a special needs child there is no better resource than a parent who has been there. Through these writings and through The Coffee Klatch I hope to make the journey for other parents a little less of a roller co...
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Some promises are like pinky swears, little whims of a deed or intention to be kept. They started when we were children on the playground, in the school yard at pajama parties and created light hearted bonds of friendship. We were conditioned early to know the importance of “keeping promises” and the bonds that would be made or broken if n...
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The Coffee Klatch started on a whim. I often speak and write about the isolation, stigma and confusion of parents raising a special needs child. Many of those parents are on twitter to share information, seek support or find a friendly ear. Twitter is where it all began. It is where I met my incredible team of moderators and thousands of spec...
Read MorePotpourri, I have always loved that word. The word congers up wonderful thoughts of bountiful fragrances, a palette of beautiful colors and a feeling of tranquility. It brings »
Read MoreWill the new DSMV prove to be harmful for people with Fibromyalgia and other invisible disabilities labeling them mentally ill? I recently spoke with ABC News on the issue »
Read MoreAs many of you know, I have spent the last fifteen years researching and educating myself on the organic basic of anxiety disorders in children and teens. These many years »
Read MoreI was very fortunate to do an interview with Ashok Gupta on his theory and program for treating chronic pain syndromes with an eye on the amygdala. If you or someone you love »
Read MoreSometimes selfish tears renew us. I often tell a true story of when I first began on this special needs parenting journey over fourteen years ago. My husband and I went to »
Read MoreThe title of this blog may seem to some, well, ridiculous, but not to a parent of a child with special needs. Of course you have accepted what life has given you. We have »
Read More1. Spectrum: a) A continuous sequence or range b) Used to classify something in terms of its position on a scale between two extreme points 2. Comorbidity: a) The presence »
Read MoreFor those of you that listen to my show or read my blogs you have often heard me refer to the amygdala. I’m sure those of you are, quite frankly, sick of hearing me »
Read MoreI’m not one to judge, honestly I’m not. I’m also not usually one to bite my tongue but found myself in a position of having to do just that in an effort »
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