[SPECIALFAMILIESGUIDE] Grandpparents' Views; Photo Essay: Social Skills, Fathers' Group

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robertnaseef wrote: 1. Grandparents Views2. Photo Essay3. Social Skills Groups Forming (Philadelphia area)4. Fathers' Group Meetings Resume (NJ Philadelphia)1. The Grandparent's ConnectionA parent's job never ends. The grandparents who have contributed to "Voices from the Spectrum" illustrate the lifelong value of the supportive extended family. Grandparents can have as hard a time accepting autism (or any other disability for that matter) as

parents do, or even harder since they have less contact with their grandchild, and their acceptance can take longer. Grandparents worry about their grandchild and also have to watch their child struggle. They face the double grief of their grandchild's diagnosis and their own child's pain. They may also feel overwhelmed and guilty that they cannot help more. With the experience and wisdom gained from raising their own children, grandparents may have much to offer in sharing coping strategies and in discerning which issues are linked to the disability and which ones are the normal challenges of childrearing. They may also have the time needed to help with many of the demands of caring for a grandchild with special needs. The grandparents who have contributed to this book are true role models.Here's some brief excerpts of what grandparents had to say:From "Lap Time" by Gottlieb ( author of

"Letters to Sam")"Should I be the father she depended on; the father with psychological training? Or should I be at that point the father who was supportive and had faith in her maternal instincts?...his body is not perfect, nor is his brain. She meant his soul. Sam has a perfect soul."From "Come with me Grand Ma" by Helen Rosenfield"As a grandparent when I was told that this precious child, once so vibrant and so much a part of my world, was now residing in his own world, I was crushed. As a grandparent I felt the pain for my child as well as for my grandchild....the beauty of their interactions, the depth of their commitment. I am so proud…"From "An Unexpected Gift of Love" by and Sally Olsen"..we could not help but wonder why this happened to our family. As grandparents, our first concern was the heartache and seemingly overwhelming problems this would bring to my son and his

wife."From "A Grandmother's Story" by Nedler"Autism is a frightening word…it is here to stay…However, it has not destroyed our family. I am blessed with two grandchildren who love me and whom I love dearly…It doesn't make my job harder, just more important!" N. Ariel, Ph.D. and A. Naseef, Ph.D., the co-editors of "Voices from the Spectrum: : Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, People With Autism, and Professionals Share Their Wisdom," are psychologists who specialize in helping families cope with special needs. Visit their practice at http://www.alternativechoices.com. All of the royalties from this book are being donated to UNICEF to help children around the globe. Naseef is also the author of the highly acclaimed book, "Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child with a Disability."

Naseef gives lectures and workshops internationally. Find out more at http://www.alternativechoices.com/presentations.htm*******************************************************************2. Photo Essay Check out the personal story behind "Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and rewards of raising a Child with a Disability" at http://www.alternativechoices.com/SpecialChildrenChallengedParentsPhotos.htm**********************************************************3. The Saturday Social Skills Group will focus on developing peerrelationships through games and activities. Activities will alsoenhance the development and use of non-verbal

and verbalcommunication skills necessary for the development of socialskills. The group will be led by Trish Miron, MCAT, LPC,who has worked with children on the Spectrum for 23 years.Groups will be formed during October - Interview required.Groups will meet at 514 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Call , ext. 5 for more information.********************************************************************4. Virtua EIP Fathers' GroupSaturday September 9, 20069.30 am to 11.30 amVirtua Early Intervention Office101 Burrs Road, Bldg. 2, Suite B,Westampton, NJ 08060(behind Charlie Brown's on Route 541) The group is for fathers of children with special needs. It provides an opportunity for dads to meet together in an informal setting to confidentially share issues affecting themselves and their families. The group is hosted by Dr. Bob

Naseef, psychologist, author, and father of a son with special needs, and Stan , social worker with the Virtua Early Intervention Program. Call Stan at to register or ask any questions. Around the country and the world wide web, check out National Fathers' Network which provides support and resources for fathers and families of children with chronic illness and developmental disabilities at http://www.fathersnetwork.org/ You can find information about Fathers Programs in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand at http://www.fathersnetwork.org/671.html****************************************************************If you think thus information may be of use to someone you know,please forward this e-mail or direct them to subscribeat http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SPECIALFAMILIESGUIDE/Best regards- Naseefhttp://alternativechoices.com/specialfamilies.htmReaders can read more about "Voices from the Spectrum." this book and see photos of the essay writers at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1843107864/qid=1143312927/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-4430253-3063208?s=books & v=glance & n=283155Check out "Special Children, Challenged Parents" at:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1557665354/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_2/104-2314304-1031948?ie=UTF8

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