Marvie Ellis
Author / Educator / Therapist
Specializing in Children’s Learning Disorders, Autism, Speech Language, Motor Therapy, Sensory Therapy, Behavior Modification

Marvie Ellis received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communicative Disorders from Jackson State University in Jackson , Mississippi and her Master of Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1996). She has specialized training in working with the birth to five population, children with autism spectrum disorders, speech-language delays, oral motor therapy, play based therapy, sensory therapy, and behavior modification techniques. Marvie provides trainings and seminars to parents and educators nationally. She is a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, the Texas Speech-Language and Hearing Association, and the Autism Society of America. Marvie lives in Austin with her husband, Tellis and son, Brian. She enjoys writing stories, supporting others in their entrepreneurial and quiet moments for meditation.

PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS

“The stories are great….They are clever and intriguing.”
—Chris P. Johnson, M.Ed., M.D., American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Children with Disabilities and Co-chair of the AAP Autism Expert Panel; Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Health Science Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio Founder of CAMP (the Children’s Association for Maximal Potential)

“In this story, the analogy of open doors and shut doors is used to explain the difficulties in sensory reception in children with autism. The . . . strategy of using alternative sensory channels to compensate for the poorly functioning auditory channel is very helpful in explaining how to communicate with children who cannot communicate in a typical manner.”
—Kapila Seshadri, M.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Section Head, Section of NeuroDevelopmental Disabilities, Department of Pediatrics, UMDNJ—Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Jersey

“[This story] for family members [was] delightful. I feel [it] would be very beneficial for young family members who are struggling to understand autism.”
– Barbara A. Booth, Ph.D., BCBA, Director of Special Education, Pflugerville , Texas ISD

“I would definitely consider them for purchase as there seems to be a paucity of books to read to young children…Thanks again for making the effort to supply a need.”
—Janne Zochert, Education Coordinator, Head Start, Williamson-Burnet County , Texas

 “This story is beautifully told from a sibling’s point of view. This is a great way to understand how autism affects other children in the family. It offers some insight into the beginning stages of basic techniques that are family friendly. The ‘door’ concept is a nice way to explain what it is like for those with autism as well as those who interact with them.”
—LaQuinta Khaldun, M.S., CCC-SLP, owner of Carolina Speech Services, North Carolina

“A heartfelt story from the perspective of an older sibling of a child with autism. It describes one family’s journey through the diagnosis and understanding of autism, as well as ways to ‘connect’ with this child. This story is appropriate for siblings, peers, and families that are going through this journey. I feel it gives hope to families that are currently going through the confusing and often frightening time of diagnosis and discovery.”
—Hope Korbet, M.S., CCC-SLP, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Baltimore , MD