Little Squares with Colors: A Different way to look at Autism - Paperback

by Christina Dagnelli (Author)

Seven-year-old Noah is fascinated with weather, computers and taking things apart. He is tenacious, began reading at the age of three and seems to be full of endless energy. He is just like many other children, except he didn't speak more than a few words until he was four and half years old, was in diapers until he was 6 and was lost in his own world. He would have hour long "tantrums" over things that seemed insignificant and would bang his head on whatever was available. But he could navigate a computer and understood the concept of negative numbers when he was just five. Between brilliance and incapacitation was Noah.
Poignant memoir of the first 7 years of Noah's life with autism. The family bakes gluten-dairy free, almost loses their house-goes broke, loses a dog-gains two more and somehow keeps their sense of humor, minds and marriage thriving. Written with humor and inspiration to challenge readers to think differently about what behavior really tells us. How our own attitudes shape our perspectives which can help or hinder progress. And asks the question what if autism is the next evolution.

Little Squares with Colors provides information on ABA, Behavior Modification, Floor time, Occupational Therapy, The Gluten & Casein Diet, and that even furry four-legged friends can be therapists and heroes.

Rather than spend her days chasing after why her child has autism, this author prefers instead to live in the moment. While autism's journey often brings discomfort and judgment from others, Little Squares with Colors soars above and beyond the pain, our selfish tendencies, and caring about what others think - these things are the key that will open up the door to a wealth of possibilities. Little Squares with Colors is a book that helps us do exactly that. - (Vickie Ewell Suite101 Autism/Asperger's Syndrome Topic Editor)

"Ms. Dagnelli aptly weaves facts and great advice with funny anecdotes, and lots of frustrating episodes to win your heart." - (Lorna D'Entremont Sentio Life Solutions Special Needs Book Review)

When parents receive a diagnosis of autism for their child they often feel as if their world has come to an end. In this insightful memoir, a courageous and inspiring mother explains why a diagnosis of autism isn't the end of anyone's dreams, but rather a new beginning. Little Squares with Colors describes the authors own journey raising a child with a severe autism spectrum disorder without offering a cure or miracle treatment, but rather valuable strategies, insight, and a road map of what questions to ask and where to begin. - (Kelly Green Autism Notebook)

Author Biography

Christina Dagnelli is a freelance writer of several hundred articles on autism, health and a variety of non-fiction topics and news. Her work can be found on Livestrong.com, CBS Philly, Special Needs Parenting.com, various other publications, and her blog What Does not Kill you Makes you Crazy. Long time student, she studied Philosophy, Psychology, Public Relations, and Nutrition. But found the most important things she has learned where taught living, through friends, through struggles, through "the stuff of life". Christina is a survivor, but has also been a dancer, singer, actor, dog-trainer, therapist, nutritionist, yoga student, Logistics Expert and cook. She says she is horrible at sewing, sitting still, and handling a lot of noise. Her main belief is life is short and you should go out and make the best life possible.