Calming the Stormy
Days with Annie
by Michelle and Josh Fattig
Color Pictures are included in the preview,
but Calming the Stormy Days is a black and white book for early readers.
Michelle and Josh both have
Asperger's Syndrome
and Attention Deficit Disorders.
They use their unique insight
and experience to fight crime, battle evil,
promote world peace,
and to create this humorous,
yet meaningful story of a child
experiencing the challenges of
Asperger's Syndrome or ADD.
"Mom! Mom!" Annie yelled, tearing through the house.
"Whoa!
Hold up there!
What's going on little one?" Her mother said, catching Annie by the waist, as she started to run by.
"Mom! Mom! I found out that I'm not the only one!" Annie continued breathlessly.
"The only one what, sweetie?"
Annie positively beamed, as she responded, "Not the only one who gets that hot feeling when I have to do something new!"
Her mother smiled back and said, "Okay Annie, take a breath, and start over from the beginning."
Annie took a huge gulp of air, in through her nose, and with a "Whoosh" released it, out through her mouth.
This is a technique Dr. Caton and her mother taught her to use, when her brain is racing.
Annie has Asperger's Syndrome and Attention Deficit Disorder, so her brain and her mouth sometimes race a lot!
Her mother asked, "What hot feeling are we talking about?"
"You know, that one I get when I start a new class, or try a new club, or go somewhere that I've never gone before, or meet someone new, or try to join a group of kids, or…" Annie replied in a rush.
"Whoa, whoa." Her mother chuckled, "We need to put the brakes on a little. Let's start again, more slowly this time."
"Okay," Annie responded, but she didn't feel that hot feeling in the top of her head, or that hollow, dropping off a big hill feeling in her tummy, like she used to when someone corrected her.
She is learning about her feelings and responses, and that makes things a lot easier.
