Author and advocate Sueson Vess knows first hand what it's like to have dietary restrictions.  An accomplished chef herself, Sueson has multiple food sensitivities and a Celiac diagnosis, which have led her to devote her time and talents to creating healthy recipes that provide clean nutrition to those with dietary limitations.  A regular contributor to magazines, Living Without and The Autism File, Sueson's book Special Eats: Simple Delicious Solutions for Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Cooking is an absolute must for anyone cooking with restrictions.

By Shannon Penrod

50 years ago it was not uncommon for parents of child with Autism symptoms to be told to institutionalize the

ir children and not look back.  The were told it was hopeless.  To save the rest of their family there was only one thing they could do...walk away.  Today we shudder at the idea.  What happened to those children and to the families who let go.  It is a story that is not being told.  Sheila Appleby-Williams is one of the first family members to speak out.

Her older brother was instituionalized when he was 5.  Sheila was only two at the time and had no memory of a brother whose name was never spoken in her home.  When she was 8 years old the family journeyed to see her brother.  The visit was an a tragic failure and they never returned.  A shattered family, they shouldered the shame and secrecy and attempted to go on.  It left a whole that could not be mended.  More than 50 years later Sheila felt compelled to find her long lost brother.  It was a bittersweet journey, and now Sheila is speaking out, telling a story that has needed to be told.  Where is Autism's lost generation?

Tune in to this week's Everyday Autism Miracles to hear Sheila's tale of forgiveness and healing.

by Shannon Penrod

Every once in a while a hero steps forward and challenges what everyone knows but one no one can seem to overcome.  Jesse Saperstein is on of those heroes.  A young man in his twenties, living with an Asperger's Syndrome Diagnosis, Jesse has taken to jumping out of airplanes to draw attention to bullying.

Today on Everyday Autism Miracles Jesse will join us to talk about his book ATYPICAL and how you can help him to end bullying in 2012.

By Shannon Penrod

The skin is the largest organ of the body, as such it is greatly effected by chemicals, medicines and immune issues.  Children with Autism will often have strong sensitivities that are reflected in the skin.  Eczema, rashes, hives, blisters and discolored areas are not uncommon in our kids.  As a parent choosing what to put on your child's sensitive skin can be a frightening minefield.  What's safe?

Shelly Maguire of Ice Elements Skin Care joins us this week on Everyday Autism Miracles to tell the story of how her own battle with Cystic Fibrosis led to the creation of a skin care line that is not only pure and natural but also restorative.

This is a story of inspiration, hope and triumph.  Tune in on Monday at 4pm PST.  Join the conversation by calling 877.864.4869  

by Shannon Penrod

Earlier this year we did a show about Hyperbaric Oxygen dives for the treatment of Autism.  We talked about the benefits and logistics of it.  Since that time Biomed Mom, Joanne Allor had the opportunity to use this therapy with her son.  Tune in to today's show to hear all about the "Summer of HBOT" for Joanne and her family.  Join the conversation by calling 877.864.4869.

By Shannon Penrod

If there is one thing that Autism has taught me it's to take the time to stop and appreciate what you have.  So today, I want to stop and appreciate my awesome mom who is turning 70-something today!  Tune in to hear my mom co-host the show.  We'll talk about her fascinating life and how she continues to serve as my inspiration!  If you want to call in to wish my mom a Happy Birthday you can at 877.864.4869!

By Shannon Penrod

As parents of children with Autism, we spend thousands of dollars a year trying to help our children to be happy, focused, learning and communicative.  We invest in supplements, therapies and interventions to decrease our children's stims and increase their awareness of the world around them.  What if we could accomplish some of the same results by changing the paint on the walls and the layout of our furniture?  Sensory Designer and Color Expert Lauren Henry works with families to create rooms that are "sensory friendly" for children on the Autism spectrum.  Her company, With a Brush of Love, has transformed the rooms and lives of many children, creating calmer more focused children. 

On today's special edition of Everyday Autism Miracles listen in as Lauren Henry shares her secrets of creating a unique room that can help your child and not overtax their senses.  Take a moment to consider how making a few design changes can create a more productive home environment for you and your child!

By Shannon Penrod

A year ago, while Biomed Mom Joanne Allor and I were at the Fall Autism Research Institute (DAN) Conference in Long Beach CA, I attended a talk about Autism and the Immune system.  At the end of the session the speaker urged all of the parents in the room to get screened regularly for cancer.  In particular for breast, colon and prostate cancers.  For whatever reason they were seeing a trend in their practice of parents being diagnosed with these three cancers.  It sent a shiver up everyone's spine.  Like it isn't enough to have a child on the spectrum - we need to worry about cancer too??

The reality is that cancer touches all of us.  Having a child on the spectrum doesn't exempt you. This was made painfully obvious to Joanne when she lost a second sister to cancer this summer.  That's when her son's doctor recommended she read “Anticancer – A New Way of Life” by David Servan-Schreiber.  On this week's Everyday Autism Miracles Joanne is going to join us to talk about this important book and how is has changed how she looks at things.  She'll tell us why it is so important that we know this information and make changes in our children's lives to ensure they live longer and happier.

Of course we are also going to take a few minutes to celebrate the fact that California has become the 28th state to pass Autism Insurance Reform.  They said it couldn't happen - but somehow it did!  Join us at 7pm EST and 4pm PST to hear all the news.  Better yet, join the conversation at 877.864.4869.

We've all heard about the "Mozart Effect", this is the study that was done that suggested that listening to Mozart could help improve short term memory.  But is it possible that simply listening to certain sounds could have a significant impact on the brain of a child with Autism?  Today on Everyday Autism Miracles we're joined by award-winning author Sharon Ruben.  Sharon's book Awakening Ashley details her daughter's journey through Autism using the Tomatis method listening program.

Listen in as Sharon Ruben talks about her daughter's miraculous recovery and hear how this treament may help the child in your life.  Join the conversation by calling in to the live show at 877.864.4869.

On today's Everyday Autism Miracles we are going to have a refresher course on IEPs.  Here's a hilarious and ultimately sad video (sad, because it is so close to home sometimes) poking fun at how districts prepare for an IEP, through the eyes of a parent!

Believe it or not it's time to get ready to send our kiddos back to school.  For an Autism parent it's more than just a sail through the back-to-school shopping frenzy.  Tune in to today's special show to learn about all the things you can do to get yourself, your child and your child's school ready for a successful new year!

Being an Autism Parent can seem like the loneliest job on the planet.  From time to time over the years that is how I have felt.  I don't think I'll ever be able to feel that way again after the last few days.  I just got back from 3 days in Palm Desert, where I attended The Center for Autism and Related Disorders' annual retreat.

I saw and heard some amazing stuff...stuff that parents don't normally get to hear.  I heard it and I'm ready to share!  I also have a surprise guest!  One of my favorite things about the retreat was a presentation made by three young men...who have recovered from Autism.  It was heaven on a stick!  One of those gentleman will join me in the second half hour - you won't want to miss it!

by Shannon Penrod

I love to hear other parents tell their stories of how they made it through or are making it through the "Autism Journey".  I always feel less alone afterwards.  Recently, I have been asked a lot to share my family's story.  On today's Everyday Autism Miracle show I'm going to spill the beans, air the dirty laundry and tell the tale!  Beware, there are some less than pretty parts, but all in all it is a wonderful love story with a happy ending.

Have you had an Autism miracle in your livingroom or kitchen?  Give us a call during the live show 877.864.4869 or send an email to shannon@everydayautismmiracles.com

Here's the deal... When my child was in the thick of Autism and we were all fighting to get him out of the other world fog he was in, I was too busy to take on any side projects.  It was all I could do to fight Autism in my home, I didn't have time to fight it on Capitol Hill.  I mentally thanked those who had the time, energy and contacts to fight for those of us who couldn't.  My child got incredibly lucky, because of where we lived and the time that he was diagnosed.  Luck shouldn't have anything to do with it!  I promised myself I would do everything I could to help my child and then I would help as many other families as I could.  This is my official notice that I am fully joining the fight for Autism Insurance Reform and I'm in it to win it.  Who's with me?  We are more than half way there.  26 states and counting, but it needs to be available to everyone.  Seriously, who is with me?

Food.  Let's face it, it is at the core of a lot of our experiences.  The kitchen is the nerve center of most of our homes.  Holidays are largely about food.  We eat everyday, multiple times. We spend our hard earned money on food.  Saying it doesn't matter what we eat seems ridiculous to me.  Anything we do consisently surely impacts our life.  We sleep everyday but how we sleep, the quality of how we sleep and how long we sleep clearly impacts our life.  Surely the same is true for food.  What we eat, how we eat impacts our lives.

It's hard enough to know what to feed ourselves, let alone our kids.  So what is right for our kids?  Are we really feeding them what they need?  How do you know for sure?  Today we are going to talk about the food we bring into our homes and feed our children.  We'll cover strategies for doing better.  We aren't striving for perfection but surely we can do better. 

by Shannon Penrod

Having a child with Autism is really stressful.  I don't know anyone who has gotten through it without picking up a resentment or two.  How could you.  I also don't know a single parent who has gotten through it or is going through it that doesn't have health issues.  Could all the pain and frustration and resentment be adding to the stress and making us sick?  That's not helpful to our kids.  Who would we be if we could get rid of all that negative energy?

I am reading Bryon Katie's book, Loving What Is,and I am seeing myself in a way that I haven't ever before. I'm learning how to process that anger and resentment and turn it around to something that is powerful and life changing! I can't wait to read the rest of the book and see what else can happen if I do "THE WORK". Is it really possible that I could turn into one of those really happy, present people who oozes peace like a Buddha on a Benadryl. I think I would like that.

This week Bryon Katie will be joining us to work through what ever needs working through.  Got something you want to work on so you can embrace your inner Buddha? Give us a call during the live show and you can chat with Katie! Simply call 877.864.4869 during the live show. For more information on Bryon Katie and "The Work" that she does visit www.thework.com. You can find her book, Loving What Is, by visiting here.

Every once in a while you just need a good old fashioned RANT.  If you never get the things that are bugging you off your chest you eventually get sick.  Of course it's always a good idea to balance a good rant with a RAVE about something fabulous that you are grateful for. SOOOOOOO...today we are RANTING and RAVING!  Got something to RANT or RAVE about? Join the conversation by calling 877.864.4869

Yeast!!! If your child has overgrown yeast, you know it’s a never ending battle.  What really works to reduce yeast?  Can you do it with diet alone?  Are antifungal drugs safe for children?  Can it be treated homeopathically?

These are the questions we are tackling today on Everyday Autism Miracles.  Our special guest is Defeat Autism Now practitioner Geoffrey Radoff.  He is a board certified medical doctor and homeopath.  Tune in to see how you can solve your child’s Candida issues.