Chase of a Lifetime

About the Book

Chase, surrounded by three year olds at a birthday party, prances through the house flipping ceiling fan controls and light switches while the other children play together. After his frolic, Chase spots a Hot Wheels car. He lies down to roll the wheels back and forth in front of his eyes, mesmerized by the movement of the shiny chrome, ignoring attempts to lure him into the party's events.

The Autism Spectrum affects over 500,000 people nationwide and the numbers are inexplicably growing. Chase of a Lifetime details the progress of an autistic child, barely able to function in a supportive preschool class, culminating in his emergence as a confident third grader. This book includes strategies for securing the appropriate educational placement for a child from preschool through third grade, including an Appendix of written Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals for each year. The Appendix also includes invaluable resources such as samples of insurance letters, modification ideas, and social stories that worked on very common and difficult areas of concern.

"Few authors have outlined their quest for answers in such detail as Denise Carrier. Those reading this book are encouraged to use the information to blaze new pathways for their own child and his or her teachers."-Sheila Wagner, Assistant Director, Emory Autism Center; Coordinator, Emory Inclusion Project

"Once you pick up this book, you will not be able to put it down until you have read it completely. Denise Carrier's energy and determination in helping her son Chase will invigorate you. Parents and professionals alike will gain invaluable information in regard to the process of diagnosing and treating a child on the autistic spectrum. Above all, you will learn to be diligent in pursuing appropriate assistance for your child."-Alan G. Weintraub M.D., FAAP, Board-certified Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician

About the Author

Denise Carrier is a parent of a child on the autism spectrum. Mrs. Carrier advocates for the special needs population each year by serving as a PTA Chairperson for the Exceptional Child, spreading disability awareness in neighboring schools. Her programs have won first place awards at the state level in 1999, 2000 and 2002. She holds a B.S.M. from Tulane University and an M.B.A. from Loyola University?New Orleans. After working in telecommunications for 10 years, she left the corporate world to remediate her son. She loves reading, exercising and her cat named Fuzzy. Mrs. Carrier lives in Marietta, Georgia with her children, Chase and Max, and husband, Ken. She works part-time for her local school system.