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Lauren's DAN! Journal

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Welcome to the
Dancing in Cornmeal: Life with Autism
website.
In case you are
wondering, "Why ?Dancing in Cornmeal??" read
on:
. . . As I walked into
the kitchen to get back to the original job, I stopped short in the
doorway at the sight before me. My little four-year-old was sitting in the
middle of the floor covered with
cornmeal. The floor around her was covered with cornmeal. The counters
were covered with cornmeal. And I fully appreciated in an instant, as
mothers do, that there was cornmeal in the stovetop burners and in every
unreachable nook and crevice in every appliance and in between cupboards
and appliances. My ire instantly rose as the picture of how I would spend
the next few hours solidified itself in my
brain.
"Lauren Therese!" I
screamed. Lauren looked up. I could see her pale green eyes flash open at
me, then look down, a nervous head bob and body rock beginning. I also
recalled, mercifully, that just that morning her occupational therapist
told me how much Lauren had enjoyed playing in the rice bin. Here I had
left a container of cornmeal (with no lid on it) at about the eye level of
a little girl who was being encouraged to run her hands through a bucket
of rice just four hours earlier.
"Well, I see you found
the cornmeal," I changed my tone, and Lauren looked up at me again for an
instant. I looked at the large container (which had once held much more
cornmeal than we would ever use in one year) and I saw that there was
about an inch left in the bottom.
Our friends - Reynolds Drug Store
I tiptoed across the slippery floor and
over Lauren, picked up the container, and poured the yellow sandy stuff
over my fingers so that it rained down in front of her face. Lauren
squinted at the yellow coming down, lifted her hand so she could feel it
through her fingers too, and laughed. I scooped as much cornmeal off the
counters as I could find to continue the game while Lauren played in what
fell in her lap and in front of her. Then I took Lauren by the hands,
pulled her to her feet and we danced. As we slid across that floor, I was
supporting her, humming a song and leading in the messiest but most
memorable dance I?ve ever had with my daughter, or anyone, to date. Lauren
may have thought I?d gone nuts, but she stayed with me, smiling and
chuckling, until it was finally time to face the reality of a bath and the
broom.
So goes the event that
gave life to a book title.
This is just one of
dozens of educational and eye-opening stories in Dancing in
Cornmeal, the non-fiction story of a family severely challenged
by, and gifted with, a daughter who has autism. Dancing in
Cornmeal is written by a mother, Nannette Silvernail, who has
spent years as her daughter?s homeschool teacher and primary therapist.
Divided into useful sections, the book is not only a parent?s story, but
is also an educational manual and an inspirational collection of essays.
Dancing in
Cornmeal is the first book to come along that addresses issues
across the spectrum of raising and teaching a child with autism. For
example, chapters address spiritual issues, expectations parents should
have of professionals, siblings (and other relationships), as well as
specific techniques for successfully educating a child who is extremely
difficult to educate. Many pages (and much love) are dedicated to how to
create a positive home life amidst the challenge of autism and despite the
negativity often found outside the home. All of this is done in a
conversational style that makes the book a quick and enjoyable read.
Dancing in Cornmeal is like the longest and best "talk over
tea" you?ll ever have with a mom who knows the ins and outs, the joys and
sorrows, of autism. It will help you to see through the eyes of a child
with autism, into the hearts of the people who love her, and perhaps more
clearly into your own heart, as well.
Dancing in
Cornmeal also introduces the biomedical approaches that have
benefited Lauren Silvernail over the years. It contains clear and thorough
instructions for "going gluten-free," as well as an invitation to follow
Lauren?s continuing pursuit of healing through the Defeat Autism Now!
protocol. Click on Lauren's DAN! Journal (to the left) to read
Lauren?s experiences to date with the DAN!
protocol.
Dancing in
Cornmeal is for the parent, professional, friend, and anyone
interested in autism. However, much of the advice about parenting and
teaching a child with autism is pertinent and helpful to raising even
typical children. Every reader will also benefit from the inspiring advice
on keeping a happy home with those you love, despite seemingly
insurmountable obstacles.
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This site is developed by and optimizared by
Dancing in Cornmeal
is 233 pages long and published by Writers Club Press, copyright
2002.

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