Finding Marisa: A Mother's Story

Nearly sixteen years ago, author Sherry A. Rubin gave birth to her fourth daughter, Marisa. When Marisa is born, Rubin and her husband have no idea that she is autistic, but by the time she is fifteen months old, they realize that she is different. After Marisa's diagnosis, the Rubins immediately seek out the best help available from community resources. As a teacher with a master's degree in early childhood education, Rubin draws on her eight years of classroom experience to devise practical and fun ways to teach Marisa. Developing rapport through activities that interest the child, monitoring and redirecting behaviors by charting age-appropriate goals, and choosing meaningful rewards are just a few of her suggestions.For anyone raising a child with autism, or any child with a disability, Finding Marisa provides some tools that will enable a child with special needs to reach their potential and achieve happiness and fulfillment along the way.