National Autism Resources Accepts Purchase Orders

Did you know that we accept purchase orders?

We accept Purchase Orders from:

• Government Agencies
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Universities
  

Using the prices and product names published on National Autism Resources, please fax all PO's to 877-259-9419 or email (customerservice@nationalautismresources.com). We will confirm receipt and ship out immediately.

Meet Monica

I recently met Monica Fliehmann at a local special needs conference. My ears immediately perked up when she mentioned that she is a reading specialist using the Linda Mood-Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing curriculum.

We have used this with Geoffrey after hearing great results from friends. I would like to start again, but the Arnwine budget has to stay balanced, I bet you can relate!

Anyhow, Monica mentioned that her students have been averaging over 5 years of progress after 12 months in the program. After talking awhile I realized Monica not only has a fascinating professional story, but an inspiring personal story as well.

I asked her to share it, this is it in her own words:

My husband, Ben, is unlike anyone else I've ever known. Most people have trouble “thinking outside the box.” He hardly ever thinks “inside the box.” He has an amazing ability to hold to his own perspective, regardless of the thoughts and opinions of those around him. He’s creative, innovative and eccentric.

Leaving the security of our jobs for the unknown of self-employment was Ben’s idea. During the first few years of our marriage, we both worked for our local school district. We loved working with the kids, but felt it wasn’t quite the right fit for either of us. I thought, “Nothing’s perfect. We should make the best of the situation we’re in,” but Ben said, “The right thing is out there.”

Ben did a great deal of searching until he found Shannon Jenkins, a Lindamood-Bell® reading tutor who specialized in serving kids on the autism spectrum. She was moving out of state to pursue her own dreams and was looking for successors to carry on her work. We met with her in July of 2007 and everything fell into place. That fall, Phoenix Education Specialists became our new business and an amazing new chapter of our lives began.

Ben has always had a unique ability to connect with students with special needs, especially kids on the autism spectrum. Over the last year and a half, we’ve both been amazed by the progress our students have made, especially in the area of reading comprehension . On average, our students made over 5 years of progress after 12 months of working with Ben. I believe this is largely due to his ability to bring out the best in them.

Last fall, Ben and I began talking seriously about something we’d both been wondering about for quite some time - why is it so easy for him to connect with the kids we serve and yet so difficult for him to connect with others. Social interaction is a strain for him. He communicates in ways that others often find difficult to understand and vice versa. And yet, all of this seems to melt away with our students.

Ben and I started looking at the characteristics of individuals on the higher functioning end of the autism spectrum with new glasses. We both saw Ben. We sought the help of a clinical social worker we know and she confirmed what we suspected. Ben has Asperger’s.

Ben’s diagnosis has confirmed my sense that we’re doing what we’re called to do. He recently told the parents of one of our students, “I want to give Alex* the help I wish I’d gotten.” I’m grateful that he’s able to do this for our students, and I’m honored to have a role in making this possible.

*not his real name

Lindamood-Bell® is a registered trademark.

I love Monica's story and am so grateful that she was willing to share it with everyone. I also want to introduce National Autism Resources new t-shirts:

Neurotypical is Overrated

The Neurotypical is Overrated t-shirt was inspired by my son. When he hit Junior High and realized how different he was from his peers it was very hard for him. We spent a lot of time talking about his strengths and weaknesses and the strengths and weaknesses of others. Over time he came to accept that he like everyone else has things he is good at and things that are challenging. During this time he became inspired by Einstein and we came up with the saying, "Neurotypical is Overrated." I hope you enjoy our design.

On the Spectrum - Outside the Box

This design was created by a close friend of our family. After learning about autism he was inspired to design a shirt that reflected the original thinking of many people on the spectrum.

Both t-shirts are available now at National Autism Resources and if you order by May 15th you will receive a free gift with your order!

National Autism Resources is at the Golden State Mall 11/15 & 11/16 in Bakersfield

We're experimenting in branching out to the general public. We'll be at the Golden State Mall in Bakersfield CA today & tomorrow. If you are in the area come visit us!

The Winner Is...

The votes are in and here is the winner! It was a close tie between all three, but between, e-mail and the blog in the end picture number 2 was the winner. Thank you to everyone who voted. National Autism Resources is up and running. We should be able to take orders soon... what the heck was I thinking?!

Which picture do you like?

Hi Everyone,

I'm trying to pick out a picture for the home page of National Autism Resources, and I can't decide between the following pics. So can you vote for the one you like? Thanks!

Picture #1

Picture #2

Picture #3

What do you recommend?

I'm loading products onto the new website so if all goes well we'll launch National Autism Resources by the end of this month. Hooray! I've been putting up the products we have found to be helpful for our family. That got me wondering... do any of you have a special toy or book that has been really helpful to your child that you would like to recommend? If so let me know about it!

The Secret is Out...

No yesterdays are ever wasted for those who give themselves to today. ~Brendan Francis I read this quote and loved it. As stated before I've been working on a secret project... well the time has come to reveal it:

National Autism Resources

Yep I'm expanding my company to sell only the tried and true inexpensive, easy to use, durable toys, fidgets, games and books for families who have a member on the spectrum.

So friends have been giving me advice like don't tell people you have depression. (Ooooops I did it I know I'm going to see e-mails...) Yes I suffer from depression, so much so that I start my day every day with what I like to call "Vitamin P" better known as Prozac.

Friends have also said don't talk so much about religion. Well I agree I won't talk about religion, I'll just keep talking about the most fascinating relationship in my life, my friendship with Jesus.

I am no super Mom, there are many a day I want to retreat to Mexico for a month... I will not portray myself as anything except who I am. So if people are turned off to my company because of preconceived notions of what a person of faith is like, or because I suffer from a "mental illness" all I can say is I wish them well. However, I will stay uncensored and honest.