Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Dragonfly
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://emergingfromautism.com
CITY: Avon
STATE: IN
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
RESEARCHER NOTES:
| LC control no.: | no2018077669 |
|---|---|
| LCCN Permalink: | https://lccn.loc.gov/no2018077669 |
| HEADING: | Taylor, Lori Ashley |
| 000 | 00708nz a2200181n 450 |
| 001 | 10772363 |
| 005 | 20180609073118.0 |
| 008 | 180608n| azannaabn |n aaa c |
| 010 | __ |a no2018077669 |
| 035 | __ |a (OCoLC)oca11386730 |
| 040 | __ |a ICrlF |b eng |e rda |c ICrlF |
| 100 | 1_ |a Taylor, Lori Ashley |
| 370 | __ |e Indiana |2 naf |
| 372 | __ |a Special education |a Autism |2 lcsh |
| 374 | __ |a Special education teachers |a Patient representatives |2 lcsh |
| 375 | __ |a Females |2 lcdgt |
| 377 | __ |a eng |
| 670 | __ |a Taylor, Lori Ashley. Dragonfly, 2018: |b title page (Lori Ashley Taylor) dust jkt. flap (Lori Ashley Taylor; special needs teacher and autism advocate; the author and her two children live in a suburb of Indianapolis, Ind.) |
PERSONAL
Married; children: Connor, Hannah.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Teacher, writer, and autism advocate. Avon Community School Corporation, Avon, IN, teacher, 1995—.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Lori Ashley Taylor is a writer, teacher, and autism advocate. She has taught special needs students through the Avon, IN Community School Corporation since 1995. After her daughter Hannah’s autism diagnosis, Taylor became committed to learning more about the condition and discovering ways to treat it. Taylor launched the website, Emerging From Autism, as a resource for other parents dealing with their children’s autism.
In 2018, Taylor released her first book, Dragonfly: A Daughter’s Emergence from Autism: A Practical Guide for Parents. In this volume, she discusses her personal experience dealing with Hannah’s diagnosis and treatment. She also offers general advice and tips for parents of autistic children. Taylor recalls the first signs she noticed when her daughter was still an infant. She reacted negatively to human touch, she did not vocalize like most infants, her actions seemed to be compulsive, and she did not look others in the eye. Hannah’s doctor suggested she might have autism during a visit when she was just fifteen months old. Three months later, the diagnosis was confirmed by a neurologist. Taylor describes Hannah’s reactions to sensory stimuli, noting that her responses made it difficult for her to eat, have her nails cut, and brush her teeth. Hannah began working with multiple therapists before she turned two years old. Those therapists helped her with development challenges, physical movements, and speech. Taylor also enrolled Hannah in the local preschool. She notes that her efforts to treat Hannah’s condition were expensive, but she suggests that they were worth it. The title of the book refers to Taylor’s comparison of Hannah’s development to that of a dragonfly.
In an interview with Stephanie Dolan, contributor to the Hendricks County Flyer website, Taylor commented on her personal evolution as a parent of a child with autism. She stated: “In the beginning, I mourned and felt my daughter’s autism was a tragedy. … I blamed myself. I’m the mom, and I thought it surely was something that I did. I also felt that people were looking at me like I wore a scarlet letter. This was not true of course.” Taylor continued: “I wanted to try everything to ‘save’ my daughter. … I was her staunchest advocate. Every child needs a champion. And I was Hannah’s. She didn’t overcome challenges by milestones, but ‘inchstones’.”
Candace Smith offered a favorable review of Dragonfly in Booklist. Smith commented: “Taylor … urges early intervention, suggests ways to advocate for children, and offers real hope to parents facing this challenging diagnosis.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, April 15, 2018, Candace Smith, review of Dragonfly: A Daughter’s Emergence from Autism: A Practical Guide for Parents, p. 11.
ONLINE
Emerging from Autism website, http://emergingfromautism.com/ (October 11, 2018), author profile.
Hendricks County Flyer Online (IN), https://www.flyergroup.com/ (April 10, 2018), Stephanie Dolan, author interview.
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Hello!
I'm Lori - mother, teacher, and writer. This forum is my testimony to how challenging it is to be a special needs parent, but how rewarding the journey has been. Allow me to help you navigate the path, empowering you through advice and resources. By finding this site, you have found HOPE! Join me!
autism-awareness-puzzle-piece-lapel-pin-61
Nine years ago, my family was hit with a life-altering diagnosis: autism.
Diagnosed at the early age of eighteen months, Hannah’s autism gradually confined her to an inaccessible world.
Stunned at the news, I didn’t waste a minute on denial. Instead, I kicked into gear, knowing my daughter needed help as soon as possible. Yes, I grieved, but I didn’t allow it to slow me down. Someone had to be Hannah’s champion; I knew it had to be me.
Autism, a mysterious developmental disorder for which there is no proven cause or cure, affects millions of Americans. The disorder may be mysterious, but if you’re a family living with autism, there is no mystery about the challenges caused by this disorder.
HOPE kept me going. To believe that Hannah could not improve was unbearable, unthinkable. Never underestimate the power of a parent trying to help their child. As I set out in search of solutions, I learned that small accomplishments were huge and I could not compare Hannah to others her age. This unexpected journey has been my life’s most difficult, meaningful, and rewarding endeavor.
With all of my reading and research, I learned about the plasticity of the brain and the “window of time” that is critical in providing early intervention—key to Hannah’s improvement. I spearheaded an entourage of therapists (physical, developmental, speech, occupational, aquatic, equine-assisted, feeding, behavioral, and social/play) and doctors (developmental pediatrician, neurologist, and gastroenterologist) to make a difference in my daughter’s life. The maelstrom of movement among doctors and therapists while maintaining a full-time sixth-grade teaching position felt chaotic and unsustainable, but we did it. I look back and it’s merely a blur. And worth every minute.
My son, Connor, was born shortly after Hannah turned two. From the day he was born, I could already tell that he wouldn’t face the same challenges as Hannah. His upper body was strong, and he looked into my eyes with a presence that had never come naturally to Hannah. Connor would grow to recognize Hannah’s differences and exercise overwhelming patience with his sister.
After the earliest intervention, I continued to stretch Hannah to her fullest potential, looking for every opportunity to help her progress. I am now almost ashamed to admit that the year before Kindergarten, Hannah was enrolled in three different preschools: one offered the best therapy, one had the best academics, and one provided the best religious education, socialization and play.
At the age of three, Hannah attended developmental preschool (picked-up by a school bus) to receive many of her services, and followed an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Attending a case conference for my own child felt a lot different than attending one for my students; I felt at the mercy of Hannah’s teachers. Hannah’s intervention was filled with visual schedules, Time Timers, Picture Exchange Cards, social stories, behavior management, and a lot of structure and routine.
Vacations and holidays would both prove to be times of frustration for her. Hannah was also provided with sensory diets for her sensory processing disorder. I continued trying to participate in “Hannah’s World” to try to pull her into ours. Over time, she slowly shifted, working her way into our reality.
Now finishing her seventh-grade year, Hannah has continued to gain more independence throughout her school years. She still has her weaknesses (socialization, receptive and expressive language, eating, verbal lists, and anxiety), but, more importantly, she has her strengths (memory, art, writing, love for animals/nature, courage, aptitude, and loyalty). Before the new DSM-V manual, she was re-identified as having Asperger’s syndrome; however, now the manual has removed Asperger’s syndrome and replaced with autism only.
Along our journey I have had many epiphanies.
I’ve learned that autism doesn’t define Hannah; it is only one part of my daughter.
I’ve learned that Hannah doesn’t need to be “fixed”; rather, my perception of my daughter is what needed fixing.
Most importantly, I’ve learned to celebrate the amazing daughter in front of me—that focusing on her strengths will lead to her happiness…and that’s all I want.
I look forward to sharing our continued journey with autism with you. I believe you will find compassion for your daily celebrations and trials through our family’s lens.
Lori Ashley Taylor
Author at Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
Avon, Indiana
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38 connections
Experience
Avon Community School Corporation
Sixth Grade Teacher
Company Name Avon Community School Corporation
Dates Employed Aug 1995 – Present
Employment Duration 23 yrs 3 mos
Emerging from Autism
Publisher/Author
Company Name Emerging from Autism
Dates Employed May 2016 – Present
Employment Duration 2 yrs 6 mos
Interests
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Research Professor | University of Houston | Huffington - Brené Brown Endowed Chair
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Bill Gates
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Co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
18,179,180 followers
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Avon Community School Corporation
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648 followers
QUOTED: "In the beginning, I mourned and felt my daughter's autism was a tragedy. ... I blamed myself. I'm the mom, and I thought it surely was something that I did. I also felt that people were looking at me like I wore a scarlet letter. This was not true of course."
"I wanted to try everything to 'save' my daughter. ... I was her staunchest advocate. Every child needs a champion. And I was Hannah's. She didn't overcome challenges by milestones, but 'inchstones'."
Avon woman writes about her daughter's emergence from autism
By Stephanie Dolan stephanie.dolan@flyergroup.com Apr 10, 2018
Avon woman writes about her daughter's emergence from autism
Submitted photoHAPPY FAMILY: Lori Taylor with her daughter Hannah and her son Connor.
April is World Autism Awareness Month, and groups and organizations everywhere are working to bring greater awareness to those living on the autistic spectrum.
Locally, Lori Taylor of Avon is bringing awareness to those living with autism with the release of her new book Dragonfly: A Daughter's Emergence from Autism... A Parent's Practical Guide. The book is set to release today.
Taylor’s daughter, Hannah, was initially diagnosed with autism at the ages of 15 and 18 months.
“Official diagnoses of autism came at two years of age,” Taylor said. “Our pediatrician alerted us at 15 months, and we were able to get into a neurologist at 18 months. Then at two years old two separate behavioral psychologists provided us with official diagnoses. We weren't in denial, but we wanted to be sure. She had all of the classic signs of autism: delayed language, lack of two way communication, and perseverated or fixed interests. She didn't like to be held or touched, had virtually no eye contact, didn't babble or coo, lined up her flashcards and blocks, stared at ceiling fans and pushed buttons indefinitely, flapped her arms/hands.”
Taylor, a teacher herself, said her acceptance of Hannah’s situation has grown greatly over the years.
“In the beginning, I mourned and felt my daughter's autism was a tragedy,” she said. “I blamed myself. I'm the mom, and I thought it surely was something that I did. I also felt that people were looking at me like I wore a scarlet letter. This was not true of course.”
Taylor said she was envious of other parents as a result of having to battle over things that they likely didn’t.
“My daughter was in her own world and was also failing to thrive,” she said. “She didn't want to eat because of the texture of the food. Her sensory systems were taxed and trying to brush her teeth, get her out of the tub or trim her nails took all that I had.”
Taylor said she combed the internet and library shelves and spoke with specialists about best practices for early intervention.
“I wanted to try everything to ‘save’ my daughter,” she said. “I was so naive. She started physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and developmental therapy all by 16 months. She attended developmental preschool in Avon Schools - Light and Life preschool and Play and Share preschool. I was her staunchest advocate. Every child needs a champion. And I was Hannah's. She didn't overcome challenges by milestones, but ‘inchstones.’"
Taylor said that ‘a little inch of success slowly’ was her new definition for autism. All before Hannah’s fifth birthday she was enrolled in social/play therapy, feeding therapy, equine-assisted therapy and aquatic therapy.
“It seems as if the entire community of Avon had rallied around our family,” Taylor said. “I believe those individuals proved to have more acceptance some of the time than I did. Hannah taught me patience. Hannah has emerged and become so independent; however, she will always have the three main hallmarks of autism.”
Taylor calls her daughter a proud advocate of the entire autism community.
“There are so many families that have done the same things that I have done without as much shifting on the spectrum,” she said. “Interventions do help our children tremendously; however, unfortunately, not all families see the same results.”
Early intervention happened during Hannah’s most challenging years and occurred before insurance covered some of the costs, so most of the interventions were out-of-pocket.
“A few overlying themes or mantras to share are that early intervention is so very important,” Taylor said. “Parents cannot allow denial. Grief can zap one's energy. My daughter didn't need saving, and my perspective had to change. Hannah is not ‘fixed’ or ‘cured.’ Autism is a diagnosis for the entire family, not just the individual. Autism does not define Hannah, there are so many other things that come together to make her who she is.”
One of the many things Hannah has become is a poet. In the book’s prologue, Taylor mentions poems that her daughter wrote, one of which was entitled “Life as a Dragonfly.”
“In ‘Life as a Dragonfly,’ Hannah used paralleled and repeated stanzas that mirrored her physical and cognitive development with the dragonfly’s actual stages of life,” Taylor said. “The most poignant words: ‘Hope rises, and I begin to reveal my concealed wings. I begin to understand language and what I am meant to do.’ Before long, the dragonfly became more than a symbol for change and renewal—for us, it grew to become a regal symbol for Hannah’s courage to break the water’s surface and fly after so much time. She emerged even though the wind at times was and can still be tumultuous. Dragonflies have now seemed to appear in our darkest of hours.”
For more information on the diagnosis of autism, go to autismspeaks.com.
For more information on Taylor’s book, visit her page on Amazon.com.
Stephanie Dolan writes for the Hendricks County Flyer and may be reached at stephanie.dolan@flyergroup.com. Follow Stephanie on Twitter @StephanieDolan.
React to this story:
QUOTED: "
"Taylor ... urges early intervention, suggests ways to advocate for children, and offers real hope to parents facing this challenging diagnosis."
Dragonfly
Candace Smith
Booklist.
114.16 (Apr. 15, 2018): p11. From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2018 American Library Association http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Full Text:
* Dragonfly.
By Lori Ashley Taylor.
May 2018. 332p. Skyhorse, $27.99 (9781510732179); ebook (97815107321861.618.92.
When Taylor's daughter, Hannah, was 18 months old, she was diagnosed with autism. Although both the author and her husband were educators, neither had been alarmed when Hannah missed some developmental markers. They reasoned that their daughter would soon catch up. After the diagnosis, Taylor was determined to find out about the condition and help her daughter as a child with autism (the authors preferred term) live as fully as possible. Using the metaphor of the late- developing dragonfly, the author shares Hannahs emergence into the larger world. Taylor worked with therapists, counselors, and support groups to make a plan for Hannah, relendessly reinforcing exercises and developing coping strategies. As she shares her findings in this vital account, she uses flashbacks to recall telling events in Hannahs life, taps the stories of a "round table" of other women with children with autism, and offers practical, doable tips. She notes the effects autism has on other family members and the stresses it can place on relationships, including marriages. Taylor provides a glossary and checklists, lists resources, urges early intervention, suggests ways to advocate for children, and offers real hope to parents facing this challenging diagnosis.--Candace Smith
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http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MA...
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Smith, Candace. "Dragonfly." Booklist, 15 Apr. 2018, p. 11. Book Review Index Plus,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A537267995/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS& xid=098f4816. Accessed 1 Oct. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A537267995
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