More sparkler art from the campfire out in the yard. When you try to write your name with a sparkler and a delayed shutter on the camera, you have to write your name backwards and from right to left. Quite the task for anyone with praxis issues.

Speaking of Dyspraxia, I'm currently in Chicago at the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation's International Symposium. It has been unbelievable. All the "giants" of Sensory Integration theory/Sensory Processing are here. In fact I was able to speak with one of the lecturers at the end of today's lectures who studied with Jean Ayers, the pioneer of Sensory Integration/Sensory Processing Disorders in the '60s. I was standing in line purchasing "The Out-of-Sync Child" (because I gave my copy away to a parent to read a long time ago and never had it returned), and some lady walks up to me and asks if I was buying that book and if I wanted her to sign it. It was Carol Stock Kranowitz the author. We had a great conversation while I was in line and I felt like I was talking to a rock star or something. After the conference this aftenoon, I was on the elevator back to my room when Carol and Dr. Sarah Schoen walked on with me. Carol introduced me to Dr. Schoen. I was impressed she remembered my name. I said something stupid, like "I feel like I'm riding an elevator with rock-stars or something" . . . they laughed. Dr. Barry Stein, Dr. Julia Wilbarger, Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, etc., etc., etc. are all here and I wish it was for more that 3 days. I am really excited to listen to Beth Osten who has worked with Stanley Greenspan, MD and is on the Advisory Board of the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders. Dr. Greenspan is the founder of the "Floortime" technique for working with children with autism. I have a certificate of mastery in Floortime and is one of the primary techniques I use in treating all the children I have with autism. Can't WAIT for the lecture from Beth. I think what I'm most excited about is a lecture from Elliott Hedman, an MIT graduate student who has developed an ability to monitor electrodermal activity as it relates to the sympathetic nervous system (psychophysiological measure of fight or flight response). way, way cool stuff.

. . . yes, I know. Maybe even worse. Certainly, even worse. Funny how our priorities change as you grow-up.