The SpecialMoms Parenting Magazine 4th Issue | Page 9

an Rosano
We know that we are our child’s
biggest advocates, but for a new
parent who just learned that their
child will have special challenges,
what would you tell them?

for a long time – being over stressed to the point
where I could never relax, sleep well or let go of my
anxiety. I wrote “The Parent’s Notebook” to help
other parents of children with special needs deal
with their stress. I wanted to share what I learned
was helpful for me and how to take care without
having to have lots of money to pay counselors,
massage therapists and other types of expensive
treatments. Parents are just regular people reacting
to a difficult situation. They need tools to deal with
their situation. My book is filled with those tools.

I would tell them to take care of themselves emotionally and physically. Make sure that all other
members of the family understand how to support the needs of the main caregivers. Find time
to write out your feelings in a notebook – then a
counselor may not be necessary. Find time to exercise on a regular routine and be sure to stick to
that. Find time to get away from everything and do
something fun at least once a week. Be sure to have
something to look forward to for your own mental relaxation and renewal, like meditation, yoga,
drawing, painting, gardening, etc.

What can people expect to read
about when they read your book?
My book is classified as a “Self-Help” book. It’s
main focus is on helping parents create their own
notebook and use writing and sketching as tools
to express what they think and feel. My book is
based on a study done by Dr. Andy Miser, Family
Counselor, regarding the issues of parents of children with special needs. He found that there were
many common difficulties that all parents were
going through. The stories in my book are based
on those common difficulties – like being stared
at in public places for instance– and the thought
processes involved in finding a way to remedy that
difficulty in your own positive way. The book is
based in creative arts therapy and includes exercises
for individuals as well as activities the entire family
can do together to help let out negative thinking
and feeling. The exercises are helpful for siblings
who may not be talking about how they feel in
their new life with their sibling.

Was there a special needs
community whether it be online or
offline that was very helpful for you
during your journey that you would
like to share with others?
Yes. Parents Available to Help (PATH) is a big and
very helpful parent support organization.

Why did you write “The Parent’s
Notebook”?
I read a study done by a disability journal that said
“Parents of children with special needs live with
more stress than a soldier in combat.” I felt like that
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I know that you are also an artist;
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