Chynna T. Laird's Blog, page 24

Writing Sample Wednesday: Ugly Duckling Syndrome

As many of you know, I am a strong advocate not only for children and families with special needs, but also for underdogs. People who don't always have the words or courage to stand up for themselves.

I know what that can be like, and there were a precious few who had the courage to stand up for me.

As I've talked about many times, characteristics like self-esteem and self-confidence are learned traits. You aren't born with them, they are taught and nurtured as one grows. And when these things...

Writing Prompt - Dream Vacation

How gorgeous is this place? I mean, I would probably sit there for hours and just watch. I might wake up in the middle of the night out of fear that the glass would give out and I'd drown, but that stems from movies I've seen.

My dream vacation actually involves mountains and waterfalls, but this would be a very close second. I love the water and all the beautiful life it holds. To me, there is nothing more calming that sitting in front of a stream, lake or waterfall, closing my eyes and simpl...

Food For Thought - Teaching the Art of Eating To An SPD Child

Eating is a challenge for a child with SPD.
They aren't just being picky.
Teach them to eat and enjoy it!Did you know that there are actually many tiny steps involved with learning the skill of eating? Contrary to what many of us think, eating isn’t an instinctive thing. Babies learn to suck, swallow, then eventually, chew and move bits of food around in their mouths. And when a child has developmental issues that impede on their ability to learn these skills, eating can be a challenge. For my...

Writing Sample Wednesday: A Snippet From My WIP Passing Loop

Due to the fact that I kept unconsciously mixing up the days anyway, we've decided to switch our writing sample and prompt days.

I'm not sure who else out there is participating in April's Camp NaNoWriMo, but I usually participate on months I am not bogged down with work. I signed up for this month as it appeared that it was going to be a slower one and I could concentrate on writing a novel, then got bombarded with writing requests. So, needless to say it's going to be a crazy-busy month.

The...

Talk About It: Seeing What's Hidden ~ Invisible Disorders

I am  not a fan of the word, 'disabilities'. It implies that an individual is incapable of doing things that others can do with ease. I prefer to use, 'disorder' as this, to me, states that there are still hurdles, but they can be faced and overcome by doing things in a different way.

In advocating for individuals who live with invisible disorders, I try to instill that distinction in those I talk to. It is essential to (1) see the person for who they are FIRST, (2) be open-minded enough...

Music Mantra Monday - The Gift of Music Therapy

About ten years ago, I was up to my armpits in research for various therapies for children with SPD, Spectrum disorders and living with specific sensory issues.

I had always used music as a way to connect with and 'reach' my kids, but in a more non-therapeutic way. It was then that I'd come across several articles by Pamela Ott, who is the Director of Music Therapy at the UPC of Southern Arizona.

She has done a tremendous amount of work for these children, and I had the pleasure of interviewing...

Mama's Muse: Being Strong Enough to Draw the Line

I was always the type of person to give in, even when I was against what I was giving in to. People who do this are vulnerable to continuously being taken for granted as there are many vulturous people out there looking to take advantage of those not confident enough to stand up for themselves.

The ironic thing is that those being used (because that is what's happening) just want to keep the waters calm and make people happy, while those using aren't always consciously aware that their actions...

Writing Prompt Saturday - Children Are the World

In light of a few things that my little family has had to face lately, I have been reflecting on all that my four little beauties have had to endure.

The last five years have been a huge roller coaster, to say the least, filled with huge loop-de-loops that all of us have had to hold on tight to get past.

I have always tried the best I could to do everything I am humanly capable of to give my children what they need to grow up strong, happy and secure. Sure, we've had to face some very tough tim...

Food For Thought: Upping Iron and Protein With An Easy Kale Recipe

As you all know, I am constantly on the search for recipes that use the super ingredients that boost liver and kidney functioning. Kale is one of these ingredients, and has become one of my favorites to work with.

Today, I am sharing an easy-to-prepare and flavorful recipe for Kale Pasta salad. I tried a version of this from the deli at our local grocery store and LOVED it. The bonus is that it is very low in calories and fat, if you are watching out for those things.

Note that you can replace...

Writing Sample Wednesday: A Snippet From 'Out Of Sync'

Sorry we missed yesterday's 'Talk About It'. Not only is it Spring Break here, I have three sick kids. Of COURSE they'd get sick one their down time. On the up side, I'm getting alot of things done that I usually don't whenever they are all here.

For today's writing sample, I thought I'd share a snippet from a book I haven't touched on for awhile. ' Out Of Sync ' was one of my first novels, and my only adult one. The story came to me, start to finish, in a dream and I wrote it in about three wee...