Parent's Corner and more...
This is truly one of my favorite places on our site. Why? Because it is on this page, at this moment, that you will read stories from families just like yourself who are traveling down the same "path" as my daughter calls it. Those inspiring stories will be intermingled with stories from those who work with our kids. And, if that is not enough, this is also a place where our kids can share their own stories.....a place where we can celebrate victories, laugh and find hope when the road seems dark. There is hope beyond the spectrum of Autism...our kids are proof of that!
If you have a story that you would like to share you can submit it to angelt@oasisautism.org for review. Remember this is a family oriented group. We will not publish anything that is off color, demeaning or offensive.
Stories published will remain on the webpage for a month and
will then be moved to the STORY ARCHIVES. You can read past stories by clicking the STORY ARCHIVES button.
Can I just say that I am proud parent of an incredible child, who has incredible potential, with thoughts and talents that make me stand in awe daily...oh yeah, and he just happens to have Autism.
This past week I was honored to stand beside him at his first book signing at Young Author Night. It was amazing to watch him share about his book to kids and people who came up...with the occassional running around the gym with friends.
Just wanted to share our joy with you all!
About the Author of Jelly Pirates
Joshua is 7 years old and has Autism. He was diagnosed when he was 2 years old and we were told they were not sure he would ever talk. Our son lived in his own world, which seemed to trap him where he would spend hours screaming and banging his head. After his diagnosis he began speech therapy and occupational therapy as well as early intervention and eventually mainstreamed preschool where he had a very involved teacher.
Even though he could not talk, but only babble at the time he entered preschool, his teacher always encouraged him to participate.
Joshua wrote Jelly Pirates when he was six. The story was inspired by the Smuckers Jelly packets that sat on the table in the Kaffee Haus, a local restaurant in Wooster, Ohio. We sat and marveled as he voiced and acted out the story that lay within his mind. I quickly pulled out my pen and paper and wrote down the words he spoke, which are now housed between the covers of his book, Jelly Pirates. Since that day, Joshua’s imagination and expression of stories continues to grow and he is excited to write another book in the future which he has already titled: Jelly Pirates and Friends.
As parents we are told our children on the spectrum of Autism will have difficulty with expression of emotion and words. We have found that to be true, yet when not pressured and allowed to enter their world and when they invite you in…it is amazing what you will find.
Joshua hopes you like his book. We want you to know that any proceeds that he earns from sharing his world with you will be used to help with his continued therapy, and a portion will be placed in college fund as he has a desire to go to college.
In the future look for Joshua’s new stories:
The Adventures of Joshua & Tenison
The Gas Dinosaur
Jelly Pirates and Friends
7 year old with Autism has his first book signing!
