Mom, creates teaching tool for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Local Georgia mom, Susan Ellis,struggling to help her frustrated five-year-old son with Autism learn towrite the alphabet, finally created her own solution. After two years ofoccupational therapy, she realized she must teach her son, Ryan, throughthe tool he responds to best: television. Together with her son'soccupational therapist, Marnie Danielson, they made a three-minute videoand Ryan began to write a letter in minutes! "I videotaped Marnie reciting a rhythmic letter chant she had used intherapy before, but it was the accompanying visual demonstration thatfinally made the 'connection'," says Ms. Ellis. "We added props and skitsto make it fun, and that's what made it a winner!" Ms. Danielson and Ms. Ellis became business partners and created The TVTeacher, LLC(TM). They produced a professional DVD writing program that isnow being used by parents, school systems and therapy clinics from Floridato California. "We receive the most incredible testimonials!" says Ms.Danielson. "Children with Autism, Down syndrome, ADD, etc -- all strugglingfor years, now enjoy writing because of what we created." "When we began our company," says Danielson, "giving back to thecommunity was always a priority for us. We are proud to donate 5% of ourlast year's proceeds to great companies like Autism Society of America(ASA)." Cindy Pike, Executive Director of ASA-Greater Georgia Chapter,stated, "We are honored to be the first recipient of The TV Teacher'scharity donation program. Susan and Marnie have developed an innovativeproduct that is adorable and effective -- it's sure to benefit manychildren." "ASA's Greater Georgia Chapter has been a terrific supporter of ourAlphabet Beats videos," says Ms. Ellis. "This year, ASA-GGA began a newconference called 'Autism 101' for parents receiving the initial diagnosisof Autism for their children. It's a great resource opportunity that I wishwas available when my son was first diagnosed. We hope this money will helpsupport this project and others the chapter is organizing. As The TVTeacher grows, we look forward to helping more charities in the future." To see a demonstration of their Alphabet Beats video, and appearanceson NBC, CNN.com, Advance Magazine, and more, visithttp://www.thetvteacher.com