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The ultimate survival guide for parents and educators navigating the muddy waters of raising children with behavioral differences.  Marianne Russo, the creator of The Coffee Klatch Special Needs Talk Radio Network, takes readers                                                                            

                                                                            from that first step of accepting a child's diagnosis, understanding your new reality and the true meaning of advocacy, empowerment and hope

About
ABOUT
AUTHOR

The Life Unexpected is the ultimate survival guide for parents and educators navigating the muddy waters of raising or educating children with special needs.

 

Marianne Russo, the creator of The Coffee Klatch Special Needs Talk Radio Network, takes readers from that first step of accepting the reality of your new life to the true meaning of advocacy, empowerment and hope.

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The chapters are weaved with touching, personal and sometimes funny accounts of her journey raising two daughters with uniquely different special needs blended with quotes and advice from the world renowned experts she has interviewed on her radio show.

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Whether you are just starting out on this incredible journey or have been traveling the unpredictable terrain of special needs parenting for a while, Marianne empowers and inspires readers with her messages of compassionate parenting for children and teens with behavioral issues, learning the language of positives and the importance of looking at your child with a whole new set of eyes. Understanding what makes these kids incredibly challenging can also give parents insight into what makes them brilliantly unique.

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Once dubbed “The Parents Advocate” Marianne also reminds us not to lose sight of the person behind the parent. So moms, dig out those high heels, dads go catch a baseball game and learn to not only survive but enjoy YOUR life unexpected.

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The Life Unexpected brings a new perspective and understanding to these bright and often times challenging kids and their incredible warrior parents.

 

To Know the road ahead ask those coming back – Chinese Proverb

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Marianne Russo, President and Founder of The Coffee Klatch Special Needs Talk Radio Network, President Marianne Russo Public Relations.

 

In 2009, Marianne launched The Coffee Klatch Special Needs Talk Radio Network to a largely underserved audience. Based out of New York, The Coffee Klatch soon became a staple in the special needs community bringing excellence in broadcasting to hundreds of thousands of listeners worldwide. A respected and proven leader with key relationships and expertise that grew her radio network into an international force.

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Today, The Coffee Klatch Special Needs Talk Radio Network is widely known and recognized for its in depth and comprehensive interviews. With over one million listeners, Marianne connects the special needs community by bringing cutting edge research and "out of the box" thinking from world renowned experts in the field of child mental health. Marianne has developed relationships with some of the most respected and sought after child and adolescent experts and children’s foundations in the world. She has brought hundreds of thousands of professionals, parents and educators together through her interviews and is bringing them together once more in her book – The Life Unexpected.

AUTHOR

ABOUT

CONTRIBUTORS

Contributors
Chapters

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CONTRIBUTORS

CONTRIBUTORS

CONTRIBUTORS

Daniel Pink - NY Times bestselling author "DRIVE"

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Jennifer Laviano - Special Education Attorney

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Dr. Thomas Armstrong - author "Neurodiversity" "Emotional Intelligences" "7 Kinds Of Smart"

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Dr. Lucy Miller - Leading expert on Sensory Processing Disorder - Founder The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation

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Dash Mihok - Actor - Ray Donovan

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Honorable Judge Alex Ferrer

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Dr. Moira Rynn - Director of Research Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Columbia University

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Dr. Ned Hallowell - NY Times bestselling author of "Driven To Distraction"

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John Elder Robison - NY Times bestselling author of "Look Me In The Eye"

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Taylor Morris

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Dr. James Webb - Leading psychologist on Gifted and Talented Children - SENG

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Dr. Ammend - Author "Misdiagnosis and dual diagnosis of gifted children and adults"

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Dr. Temple Grandin - Times Magazines "100 Most Influential People" 

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Dr. Demitri Papolos - Author "The Bipolar Child" Clinical Director of the Juvenile Bipolar Foundation

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Dr. Allen Frances - Task Force Chair DSMIV - "The most powerful psychiatrist in the world" NY Times author of "Saving Normal"

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Dr. Dale Archer - author "Better Than Normal - How what makes you different can make you exceptional"

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Dr Ross Greene - author "The Explosive Child" and "Lost at School"

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Dr. Cheri Florance - Brain Scientist author of "The Maverick Mind"

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Dr. Samango Sprouse - Exec Dir The Focus Foundation

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David Flink - author "Thinking Differently"

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Dr. Susan Swedo - Senior Investigator NIMH - PANDAS Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Strep

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Dr. Theo Theoharides - Director of Molecular Immunopharacology and Drug Discovery - Prof of Physiology and Pathobiology Tufts University

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Dr Derek Enlander - Director Enlander Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Clinic - Physician in waiting to the British Royal Family

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Dr. Russell Hyken - Educational diagnostician and Educational placement expert

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Dr. Charles Parker - Clinical Neuroscientist

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Dr. Marianne Kudujanakis - Pediatrician - Gifted and Talented SENG

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James Redford - Filmmaker "Dyslexia - The Big Picture"

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Dr. Betty Osman - author "No One To Play With - The social problems of LD and ADHD children

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Dr. Barry Sears - Creator of the Zone Diet author of "The Zone Diet" "Toxic Fat"

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Dr Enrico Gnaulati - Author "Back To Normal" Why ordinary childhood behavior is mistake for ADHD, Bipolar disorder and Autism spectrum disorders

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Areva Martin - Legal TV media personality - Autism advocate

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Dr. Sharone Gilbert - Neuropsychologist

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Monika Woolsey - InCyst

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Dr. Lynne Kenney - Child psychologist

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Dr. Debra Serani - Psychologist
 

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CHAPTERS

PROLOGUE

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CHAPTER 1

ACCEPTANCE

 

CHAPTER 2

DIGGING OUT OF THE TRENCHES

Isolation and despair

Sense of Self

It's not all in their heads

Trust

Landmines

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CHAPTER 3

UNDERSTANDING AND SURVIVING YOUR DEFIANT CHILD OR TEEN

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CHAPTER 4

WALKING ON EGGSHELLS

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CHAPTER 5

STAND UP TO CONFORMITY TO GET A DIFFERENTIATED EDUCATION

School Phobia and School Refusal

The Freight Train

Sidebars, Side Effects and Settings

Fear, As Core Emotion

Open Letter

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CHAPTER 6

YOUR NEW CAREER MEDICAL HISTORIAN AND PROFESSIONAL ROLLERCOASTER RIDER

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CHAPTER 7

THE WONDER AND MARVEL OF DIFFERENT

The Palette

 

CHAPTER 8

TWO STEPS FORWARD ONE STEP BACK STILL GETS YOU AHEAD

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CHAPTER 9

EXPECTATIONS, WHO ARE THEY FOR?

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CHAPTER 10

THE HIGH COST OF A QUICK FIX FOR KIDS WITH BEHAVIORAL ISSUES

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CHAPTER 11

THE PERSON BEHIND THE PARENT

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CHAPTER 12

THE PROMISE

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