Karen L. Simmons - Autism and Tomorrow

Copyright 2018 by Karen L. Simmons.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for.

Cover photo credit by Geddy Images

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-2252-1

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-2254-5

Printed in the United States of America

Medical Disclaimer: No portion of this book is intended to be a substitute for medical advice from your physician or health care provider. This book is not intended to diagnose or treat your child medically, and should you want medical advice, contact your physician or health care provider. The publisher and all contributors to this book specifically disclaim any liability, loss, and/or risk, personal or otherwise, that is or may be incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, through the use and application of any of the information in this book.

Dedication

I dedicate this book to our sons and daughters, who will share its gems with their sons and daughters and perfect it over time. Autism and Tomorrow belongs to our cherished children and their future. May they be empowered by our acceptance and deep love of who they are today, and who they will be tomorrow.

Karen L. Simmons

I share this dedication because these people have shared their lives with me and have made me a better person. For Kathleen Ann Cannon-Davis, my wife, I dedicate this book to you, not for the miracles you perform, but for who you are. To my children, Danielle, Jessica, Christopher, and Rocco, and grandchildren, Rinoa and Roxas, you are always the light of my life. And, with a deep love and commitment, I dedicate Autism and Tomorrow not only to the autism community, but also to all readers.

Bill Davis

Contents

Foreword

Dear Reader,

I am a man with autism who uses the information so lovingly presented in this book to lead a full, happy, and productive life. When you read these words, know that youre holding a precious gift, which will guide you and your child into an extraordinary future.

The autism community is very fortunate to have such informed, creative, empathetic, and action-oriented people like Karen Simmons, Bill Davis, and the others who contributed to this book. You will want to read every wordmore than oncebecause each unique idea and tip will enhance you and your childs life, now and forever.

Autism affects everyones future, and nearly everyone knows or knows of a person with autism. As the prevalence of autism grows, enlightening and inspiring books like Autism and Tomorrow expand our knowledge to make the existence for the autism community so much easier.

Readers, today you have a guiding light: Autism and Tomorrow. Let this book be your lighthouse to use, share, and get involved to make the world a better place for people with autism. One person can make a difference, as so many people have proven to us. Advocate and empower those with autism, now and tomorrow, using the material, concepts, and information in this book.

Thank you, Karen, Bill, The Center For AAC & Autism, and all the rest of the experts for creating this forward-looking and very much needed book. And, thank you, dear reader, for bringing these meaningful words to life as they jump off the page when you take them to heart. You are living with autism, and your life will be better as you follow the advice and live the love residing inside this book.

Read some, rest, act, and read some more. I am right here with you.

Warmly,

Dr. Stephen Shore, a man with autism

Professor of Special Education at Adelphi University

International Consultant, Presenter on issues related to the Autism Spectrum.

Acknowledgements

From Karen L. Simmons : My sincere, heartfelt appreciation goes out to my wonderful, loving family. Thank you to my husband, Jim Sicoli, and our children, Kimberly, Matthew, Christina, Jonathan, Stephen, and Alex, who have so graciously shared me with my intense addiction to autism solutions, and who have been the inspiration for all that I am and do! To my extended family, my sweet sister, Susan Simmons, my loving mother, Mitzi Briehn, my dear mother-in-law, Josephine Sicoli, my generous sister-in-law, Anna, and her family, Julia and Christopher Ehli.

Also, a huge thank you to my staff, Shane Lamotte, Larry Draut, and others, who provided their professional knowledge, expertise, and understanding to enhance this book in unique and wonderful ways. Honestly, I dont know how Id get through the day without you.

To The Center for AAC & Autism, we all thank you for your sponsorship in printing this book. It is with your tremendous belief, trust, and faith in our children with autism and in our organization that will help reach so many people around the world, delivering the message of hope and possibilities towards the future. Your generosity will have ripple effects always.

To Bill Davis, my coauthor, you are the inspiration who makes this book a pivotal, one-of-a-kind statement in the world of autism today! You live with autism twenty-four seven, and your son Chris radiates so much love, hes a teacher for us all. Bill, you and your wife, Kate, continue to give of yourselves to the autism community in many amazing ways. Thank you for sharing this journey with my family and me!

To all the fabulous contributors in this book, their warm words of wisdom, their passion, and their desire to see the world change toward the better for all those with autism and the lives they touch.

To Pat Wyman, thank you so much for everything you have done to help bring this book to realization, including with corporate sponsorship and advocating for the readers at every turn as the books editor. Your efforts will help thousands of families, teachers, caregivers, and others who need it most. You are a real champion for children, as well as a remarkable expert in learning and reading. Your contributions to both our books help all children, and it is such a delight to work with you. You always hold such a big vision, are deeply kind, generous and ever optimistic. Thank you!

To my sweet sister, Susan, your talents are beyond measure. You are truly a renaissance woman of vision! You not only did the graphics, layout, formatting, and a huge portion of the cover for this book, you designed the magical pearls of wisdom that jump off the page and inspire us all. You do everything with such love and care, and Im always in awe. As an artist, your heart and soul shows in your graphics, design, and creative writing. I want people to know the real you, and how talented you are. To my dear readers, you can see more of Susans work at www.Susan-Simmons.com

And to Connie Anderson of Words and Deeds (www.WordsAndDeedsInc.com), your work is invaluable and greatly appreciated! You, without a doubt, had a real gift of reviewing and condensing the manuscript from the readers point of view. And to our proofreaders, Lea Hill, Jamie Harmon, Thelma Kattan, Mitzi Briehn, Jean Erwin, and Beverly Ballina, thank you all so much for volunteering your time and expertise.