Teaching Special Spirits: July 2008

Welcome to the Teaching Special Spirits Blog!

On this blog, you will find topics we are researching to include in our non-fiction book, Teaching Special Spirits. On the right hand side, there is a list of categories. If you click on a category, it will take you to the posts dealing with that topic.

Our hope is that you will leave either tips of things that have helped you or questions you may have regarding that topic. Please leave these in the comments section.

If you have a story you would like to share that relates to one of the topics, please email it to us at teachingspecialspirits@gmail.com Be sure to include your name, home address, phone number, and email address so we can contact you if we decide to include it in our book.

Thank you for stopping by. Please come back often to check out new topics and posts!

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Serving at Church

We are looking for stories of individuals with special needs serving in church callings. We'd like to hear how they are serving, the blessings they've received, and how congregation members have been blessed as well. Story deadline: August 10th.

Friday, July 25, 2008

I Am a Child of God

I Am a Child of God: We are looking for stories from parents about the blessings of raising children with special needs. We would also love stories from older children or adults w/ special needs about knowing they are children of God. Uplifting stories, please! Deadline: August 10th

Teen Socializing

Teen Socializing: Tips or stories about how to help your teen w/ special needs to have a social relationship outside of home. Deadline: August 1st

Scripture Study

Scripture Study Stories:

Fun or inspirational stories about scripture study. Can be your a funny interpretation or question about a scripture, or a wonderful insightful moment. Deadline: August 5th.

Primary Sharing Time

We are looking for stories about teaching children in Primary about kids w/ special needs. These include ideas for sharing time or one-on-one activities. Deadline: August 1st.

Sibling Relationships

Sibling Relationships: We are looking for stories from a siblings point of view of what it's like to have a sibling with special needs. Also, stories or tips from parents about how to help your children develop good relationships. Deadline: August 10th

About the Authors

T. Danyelle Ferguson is the mother of four children. Her oldest son is diagnosed with PDD-NOS, a form of Autism and her oldest daughter was speech delayed until the age of three. Danyelle has worked with both of her children through early intervention, then with her son though preschool, and now elementary school.

Danyelle and her husband are co-founders of and serve on the Board of Friends of GIANT Steps, benifiting the GIANT Steps Autism Preschool in Orem, Utah. Danyelle also councils with families from all over who need help with their children at church and in other settings. She can often be found at parent support group meetings presenting about the different challenges parents meet raising children with special needs—and how to find joy throughout the journey.

Danyelle grew up in Pennsylvania and, after an eight year visit to Utah, now resides in Olathe, Kansas with her family. She has been writing since high school. She served as Treasurer for the League of Utah Writer Utah Valley Chapter, won several awards in writing contests, and is a member of AuthorsIncognito. She enjoys reading, writing, dancing and singing, playing with her family, and occassional long bubble baths to relax from the everyday stress of being “Mommy”.

Lynn D. Parsons grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and currently resides near Fort Worth, Texas. She is married and the mother of four children, two of whom have received Special Education services. Lynn also has one grandson.

She earned a Bachelor of Independent Studies from Brigham Young University. Her interest in Special Education began with her closure project entitled Non-drug Treatments for Attention Deficit Disorder. After receiving her certification as a Special Education teacher, Lynn taught at both the elementary and secondary levels. She earned her Master’s Degree in Integrating Technology in the Classroom from Walden University. A paper written for this program, Using Video to Teach Social Skills to Students with Autism, was published by the Council for Exceptional Children. Lynn has also been teaching an after-school social skills class for students with Autism. This class was featured in District Administration Magazine for their use of handheld computers for
organizational and social skills. Currently working as an English Resource and Inclusion teacher, Lynn is working on her certification as an educational diagnostician, and plans to complete a PhD program.

Lynn enjoys being with her family, teaching early morning Seminary, writing, reading, and knitting.

Teaching Special Spirits

Welcome to the Teaching Special Spirits Blog!

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Serving at Church

Friday, July 25, 2008

I Am a Child of God

Teen Socializing

Scripture Study

Primary Sharing Time

Sibling Relationships

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