Benjamin Breaking Barriers

Award-winning memoir inspires parents to become their child's greatest supporter, advocate, and teacher.

• creative ideas for parents, teachers, therapists, caregivers
• every vignette chosen to educate, illuminate, inspire 
• covers early-childhood intervention through adolescence
• deepens your understanding, shows how to create practical strategies that are individually tailored
• be empowered at home, while dovetailing with therapy professionals for greatest benefit
• learn to teach through unconditional love, nuanced observation, and flexible guidance
• short on time? detailed Index lets you find relevant examples

 
Endorsed by autism expert,Temple Grandin, and other leading educators.
Winner: Readers Favorite International Book Award, bronze medal, 2014
Passionate, lyrical storytelling engages the reader's heart and mind.
      
Benjamin Breaking Barriers provides a role model:  
      - to focus on strengths and help the individual thrive
      - to work compassionately, face the challenges, and open doors to a hopeful future
      - timeless:  positive parenting and creative strategizing will always be relevant
 
A brief sampling of topics addressed:
motivation/rewards, eye contact, sensory integration, oral apraxia, communication skills, social skills, behavioral challenges, daily life-skills, emotions/personal energy, developing/playing games, the arts as therapy (music, dance, theater, visual art, handcrafts), biochemical issues, diet, therapy animals, school strategies, "Teacher's Guide," complementary therapeutic modalities
 
Life-journey of Benjamin Breaking Barriers, in a nutshell...
When Benjamin was diagnosed as a toddler, there was the real possibility he might never speak or break through the isolation and inner retreat imposed by his autism. His mother, Malva, (professional musician, experienced educator) developed innovative, stimulating, and intriguing situations that fostered connection and communication.
 
She learned the scientific principles of ABA, then expanded far beyond them in creative and artistic ways, emphasizing a loving and positive connection. This provided a healthy foundation for building up Benjamin's life-skills, systematically, bit by bit, in a way that his uniquely wired brain could process. She also sought out the expertise of various therapists and health professionals.
 
As Benjamin progressed, he was gradually mainstreamed at a Waldorf-inspired public charter school with the support of special-ed resources. Throughout his school years, extending into adolescence and beyond, Malva continued her intensive work with Benjamin outside of school hours, regularly interfacing with his teachers and building strong bridges of communication. She also pursued professional work and hobbies while Benjamin was in the classroom.
 
When Benjamin was still in high-school (2012), he began giving inspirational presentations on living with autism, drawing on his strengths as a developing performer, musician, and speaker with a great sense of humor. Since 2016, Benjamin has also been performing sensory-friendly concerts. His activities on stage have built confidence and self-esteem, while providing the valuable service of educating and uplifting his audiences. Nevertheless, Benjamin continues dealing with the ongoing challenges that autism presents.
 
View Benjamin's 12-minute TEDx-talk on YouTube:  
Breaking Barriers of Autism: The Power of Kindness and Friendship

<div><span>Malva Freymuth Tarasewicz, D.M.A.,writer and professional violinist, is first and foremost a mother; her son,Benjamin, has long been the focus of her creative energies. Now, Benjamin is a young adult with a talent for public speaking, and Malva has teamed up with him, creating presentations about living with autism which educate while also inspiring others to overcome their personal challenges. The team has also spearheaded sensory-friendly concerts, performing in these as well. For over a decade, Malva and Benjamin have maintained a blog that continues the life-story begun in the book; the blog carries the same title: <i>Benjamin Breaking Barriers</i>.</span></div><div><span></span></div><div><span><i></i></span></div><div><span><i>Update:</i>  Malva&apos;s first book, <i>Mental Practice and Imagery:  a practical guide for optimizing practice time, enhancing performance, and preventing injury</i> (1999) is now back in print.</span></div>