Kathie Harrington, M.A., CCC SLP

Kathie Harrington received her master's degree in 1981 from Truman State University, Kirksville, MO. She provided speech therapy as a public school speech pathologist for 18 years and was mentor teacher for the autistic population in Clark County, NV. Through her current private practice, Good Speech, in Las Vegas, NV, Kathie provides individual therapy, consultative services to the First Step Program for infants ages 0-3 and their families, serves on several state committees for autism, and speaks internationally on autism and early speech-language development.

Kathie and her husband, Tim, are the parents of two grown children. The family has journeyed down the road of autism for the past 29 years, as their son, Doug, is autistic. "The path has not always been easy," says Kathie, "because years ago, there were only myths about autism. Autism was an uncharted disorder and there were no written "laws of success" for us. It was trial and error, hope and faith, learning and using common sense, taking the best of the best and implementing it into our lives. The professionals were extraordinary in their willingness to expand their knowledge right beside us. We walked together, we learned from each other, and perhaps most of all, we learned from Doug within that sphere of autism."

Doug graduated from Chaparral High School, Las Vegas, NV, on June 4, 1990 at high noon. He graduated with a class rank of 72 out of 474 with a regular diploma. The week before graduation, Doug received notice that he had been accepted in the learning disabilities program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). There he would be a drummer with the Star of Nevada Marching Band. Today, Doug drives his Saturn back and forth to work at one of the premiere resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. Doug continues to live in our home where he contributes socially and financially. He brings joy to the lives of his co-workers and his family.

Doug's younger sibling, Katie, played a major role in Doug's overall development and growth. She remains a constant in his life and in ours. I hope that you enjoy her account, "On the Way to the Sky: A Sister's Look at Autism" with the full story found in For Parents and Professionals: Autism, "The Jelly Bean Book."

Kathie is the author or two books on autism: For Parents and Professionals: Autism, "The Jelly Bean Book," 1998, and For Parents and Professionals: Autism in Adolescents and Adults, "The Popcorn Book," 2000. Both books are published and distributed by LinguiSystems, 3100 4th Ave, East Moline, IL. She has published articles dealing with the autism spectrum disorder in ADVANCE for the Speech/Language Pathologist, 2900 Horizon Drive, box 61556, King of Prussia, PA and was interviewed in the March, 2000, issue of The Clinical Connection, 708 Pendleton Street, Alexandria, VA. Kathie also writes short stories which have appeared in A 6th Bowl of Chicken Soup for the Soul and Chocolate for a Teen's Soul: Life-Changing Stories for Young Women About Growing Wise and Growing Strong.

Kathie can be reached for comments and speaking engagements at the following:

3850 E. Flamingo, PMB - 118
Las Vegas, NV 89121
Fax: 702-436-9161