Kathie's Good Speech Korner

Welcome to my web site. If you're here, it's because we share a common interest; someone you know is on the autism spectrum. Perhaps it's a child you work with or perhaps it's a child or adult you live with and love. As for me, I have a dual interest; as the mother of an adult son with autism and as a speech pathologist. I have devoted most of my adult life to working with, living and loving people who happen to fall somewhere on the autism spectrum.

Author of two books on autism:

For Parents and Professionals:

Autism, (The Jelly Bean Book)
and

For Parents and Professionals: Autism in Adolescents and Adults (the Popcorn Book)

both from LinguiSystems.
I share over 100 strategies, short stories, and poems for both parents and professionals. I like to believe that I not only inform but inspire. I know that I always want to share what is successful so that you, the parent or professionals, can build on that success.

I hope that you enjoy this poem. It was the first one I wrote on our common interest, autism. It's oh, so true.

Tears of Laughter-Tears of Pain

by
Kathie Harrington

Autism
Does not have to be awful.
It can be a journey.
A caravan of faith,
Love, commitment, growth
and tears of laughter - tears of pain.

Autism
Does not have to be the thunder.
It can be the rainbow.
It can brighten your world
With rays of knowledge
and tears of laughter - tears of pain.

Autism
Is awesome.
It can demolish or it can construct.
It can be taught and it can teach.
In a mother's life it will often rain
With tears of laughter - tears of pain.

Doug Harrington

Doug Harrington is 31 years old. He is autistic. Doug graduated from high school with a class rank of 72 out of 474. Doug is gainfully employed at a world class resort on the Las Vegas Strip. He drives a car, has new friends, pays taxes, and contributes to the smiles of those who surround him. Click here to enjoy one of my favorite stories about our family's work in the world of autism. "The Homecoming"

I hope that you enjoy the other aspects of my web site. Please leave a note at the end or E-mail me. If you have questions, I'll try to answer them. If you have comments, I will appreciate them.

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