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October 27, 2006
The Speak Out!: Partnership Leads to Book for Children
By Pamela B. Mari
"My son's Speech Pathologist sent home a sheet one day asking us to participate in a lesson in curved line thinking. I thought, this is good, but where are the visuals? Since I am not much of an artist, and wanting to keep the illustrations simple, I drew Herbie and Nate as stick figures. I then asked my sister in law, the graphic artist to dress it up. Hence, Herbie and Nate were born!
Creating the book, Curvy Herbie and Straight Nate: a Lesson in Curved Line Thinking was a creative challenge for me and my sister-in- law, Dawn. It is the perfect combination of ideas, experience and talents. You have a mother of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder who lives with the rigidity of thought issues daily with her child, a speech pathologist, Alice, who has experienced the straight line thinking of our kids and created a simple yet effective way to help them with it, and an artist, Dawn, who just needs an idea to produce a visually appealing product. We were thrilled when Alice Womer liked our idea and thought it would benefit the kids. Even more satisfying is the feedback that comes from parents, teachers, grandparents and therapists telling us how the kids react to the book and how it helps them. If we can encourage children at a young age to think outside the box, even just one child, that’s really the reward.
This parenting journey thus far has been filled with worry but also rewards. I would tell any parent just starting their journey..."never give up". When you find that your child has special needs, your priorities suddenly change. Finding the best professionals to work with your child becomes your goal. A good therapist or teacher is worth their weight in gold and sometimes hard to find. When you find one you hang on tight and make it clear that you are there for your child and want to pursue any avenue that might help him or her. I always try to thank the people who work with my son time and time again; because I believe it is sometimes a job that is taken for granted. I appreciate that our team members listen to my concerns and take my suggestions seriously. I may not have a degree but I know my son better than anyone else. It is an open line of communication that is most beneficial when planning strategies for a child's progress. This book is a result of both parent/professional teamwork, and a parent’s ability to take what we know about our kids and make a difference.
I would ask the professionals who deal with our kids not to limit them to what their "diagnosis" says they can or cannot do. See the potential in each child on an individual basis... they are not their "diagnosis", they are a person. Sometimes the simplest ideas, such as Curved Line Thinking, can be the best. My motto now, is a line stolen from a friend's website: "My child is my life ... the rest is just details". And, don't forget, in all things, "Be a Curved Line Thinker".
The book is currently being used in the Capital Area Intermediate Unit classrooms and the children easily identify with the characters. Some of the most rigid kids are showing improvement in their ability to try new things and be "Curved Line Thinkers". The book has been self published the book locally through our company, Exploding Pen Productions. Copies can be ordered by visiting the website www.explodingpenproductions.com. Persons with questions can email the author at joeybearsmom@aol.com or sales@explodingpenproductions.com."
We are looking for stories regarding your experience and lessons learned as a parent or caregiver dealing with a child's behavioral health problem, or, as the child living with it. Stories should be under 1,000 words. Those that are approved will be published on our Web site. Contact Wendy Luckenbill with your idea, wluckenbill@mhapa.org, and 866-578-3659.