Tag: DYSPRAXIA

This was our best special needs family vacation yet—proof that flexibility, preparation, and tiny wins can add up to big confidence. If your family is planning a special needs vacation, these ideas may help. Just before I sat down to write this blog, I was on the phone with two of the people who are […]

Quick answer: When routines change, even strong skills can “backslide.” Practicing good habits helps us most. I STOP, pause my cues, and remember Elizabeth can do it and knows she can. Practicing good habits has been on my mind a lot lately. I am about 4 months out from the fall that broke my leg. […]

Quick answer: For Elizabeth, feeding was less about food variety and more about the motor planning steps of self-feeding. What helped was breaking utensil use into small steps, practicing often, and staying patient as dyspraxia and sensory needs made habits hard to change. Mealtime today: slow and steady As I watch Elizabeth eat her dinner […]

Quick answer: This newsletter is where I’ll continue sharing Elizabeth’s journey and a parent’s perspective on therapy, growth, and day-to-day life with special needs. Welcome to this special needs parenting newsletter. Hi to everyone! My name is Michele Gianetti, and I am a mother to 3 beautiful children. Meet Elizabeth My middle child, Elizabeth, has […]

I know that most of you know our story. I know that most of you know that our beautiful Elizabeth has two disorders. And I know you know that our journey has been quite winding and amazing. But how about an update about Elizabeth? Right now Elizabeth is 19 years old and is graduating from […]

So hard to believe that Elizabeth is finishing her first year at her college program. I am so proud of her and all she is doing and all she is pushing herself to do. For the child who once feared the loudness of the cafeteria at high school, it is wonderful to know she heads […]

I know we have all heard the term Mindfulness. And we are all made aware of the good of “being in the moment.” To be “in the moment” requires that you are thinking, feeling and immersing yourself in whatever task you are doing or whatever place you are. It means using all your senses to really […]

I have a friend who is quite spontaneous. From the last minute requests to meet for coffee to quick trips with her children, it is all done at the last minute and for her and her world, it works. But for me and my world? Not so much! I think something few people realize is that being […]

For those who have been following our story on this site, you know that Elizabeth has struggled with speech and language throughout her life due to her disorders of Dyspraxia and Sensory Processing Disorder. And because of this, we have had some form of speech therapy throughout most of her life. I say a form […]

GOALS. My wish list. Two things that I have carried with me since Elizabeth was born. Actually, more like since the minute she was diagnosed. Goals and my wish list. I have carried these things around like two best friends. I checked in with them often, planned things around them, and happily checked things off […]