I found this information in an email from The Child Trauma Academy on Spirit Reins Equine Therapy: “Participants learned that the brains of “prey” animals, such as horses, are organized much like that of a traumatized and hypervigilant children who are constantly scanning the environment for threat. The horse, for one, senses a child’s hypervigilance instinctively…
Read Morethe behavior battle (adoption/foster)
Behaviors come in all shapes and sizes. There is avoidance, vocal aggression, physical aggression, self-abuse, rude comments, bowel issues, sleep issues, food issues, and the list goes on, and on, and on. Many of you are in a battle with behaviors. Last year we had a Speech Pathologist and a Developmental Therapist coming to our…
Read Moretips for a better summer vacation (adoption/Autism)
Summer vacations are here, and maybe you’re excited about the fast approaching fun, or maybe you’re apprehensive about it going awry. No matter where you stand, it’s important to have understanding of your child, and a plan in your suitcase before you go. Before you go on your trip, PLAN, PLAN, PLAN, and TALK, TALK,…
Read MoreAdopting a child with HIV/AIDS
A few months ago I was looking at adoption blogs and came across a mother who has adopted children who are HIV positive. I was touched by this woman’s heart, and I admire her and what she has done. Have you ever considered adopting a child with HIV or AIDS? If the answer is yes,…
Read Moreadoption = special needs
The first time I heard someone mention adopted children and special needs in the same sentence was during a meeting with ten professionals. The psychologist speaking was not referring to the adopted children who are classified as special needs because of a cleft palate or a heart condition, she was alluding to any child that…
Read Morediscovering the child behind the label (adopting a special needs child)
This article first appeared in the April 2013 issue of Adoption Today. ******** A baby needed a loving home, how could we say no? We got the call from Child Protective Services on December 17, 2009, they told us no one else could take in a three month old boy. The list of issues his…
Read Moregrandma
I can say I don’t believe in fate, unless it is a fate directly connected to God’s ultimate design and plan for our lives. We ebb and flow through life, many of us hoping that we are landing somewhere within His will for our lives. This is why I don’t believe fate took us to…
Read Moremost recent article
My article, Connecting with Compassion is in the June issue of Adoption Today. The issue focuses on Neglect and Trauma. Click on the photo to view it. Bonus: This issue is being offered FREE!!! Additional bonus: My daughter’s on the front cover!
Read Moreis this a vacation?
After a week of vacation from down-under (of which I will go into detail at a later time), we made our way across Nebraska. A storm loomed above us so ominous that I was intent on watching for tornadoes out all windows and the sunroof. After checking into the hotel my husband, Justin, opened the…
Read Morerocking: a simple first step to bonding, and it doesn’t just apply to infants
Have you found that discipline and having consequences for negative behavior doesn’t work with your hurting child? As one mom phrased it, “They don’t care.” So, our first goal is to focus on creating a bond. As you work on making connections with your child, be sure to keep in mind that this is a…
Read More
lovin' adoptin' & autism 