Autism Out Loud
Life with a Child on the Spectrum, from Diagnosis to Young Adulthood
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4.9 • 7 Ratings
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
In this moving narrative of resilience and pure love, three mothers share their experiences and learnings about life alongside autism -- From the creators of Finding Cooper's Voice, What Color is Monday?, and Tales of an Educated Debutante
Kate Swenson, Adrian Wood and Carrie Cariello are from different parts of the country and backgrounds, but they were brought together by a singular experience: they are each a mother to a child with autism. Together they have shared laughter, tears, victories and the unconditional love that molds their lives.
Kate, Adrian and Carrie have children with very different autism profiles, and in Autism Out Loud they write about their unique experiences on a variety of topics, from diagnosis to caregiving, schooling and aging. Through their varied stories and lessons they’ve learned, these incredible women provide a glimpse of what to expect on the autism journey and show parents that they are not alone.
Written with honesty and heart, the stories within these pages serve as a reminder that even amid the storms of life, there is always hope and beauty to be found. A tribute to the unparalleled love of mothers, this inspiring book illuminates the joys, challenges and everyday miracles of life on the spectrum.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this empathetic memoir–cum–parenting manual, bloggers Swenson (Forever Boy), Cariello (What Color Is Monday), and Wood take turns discussing lessons they learned from raising children on the spectrum. Swenson recounts anxious years waiting for her son, who was diagnosed with autism at age three, to reach developmental milestones, only to conclude that she should instead take his happiness as the benchmark of success, while Wood meditates on how she gradually came to terms with the fact that her son would require her help long after her other children moved out. Elsewhere, Cariello details how for years she carried around guilt over spending more time with her autistic son than her other children, only to learn after they had all grown up that her neurotypical children didn't remember things that way. The guidance is broad, as when Swenson emphasizes the importance of community by recalling how starting a blog about her parenting experiences connected her with other moms, but the consistently affirmational tone will help parents navigate the complex emotions of raising kids on the spectrum ("When you're a caregiver, tears are a sign of bravery, admitting weakness is a sign of strength," Wood writes). This will be a balm for parents of autistic children.
Customer Reviews
Thank You
Thank you so much for this book. It resonated on so many levels, especially the sections on the extreme anxiety that accompanies autism.
My grandchild is on the spectrum, would be considered high functioning I suppose, and I see his parents experience - we all experience - the fears for his future, the daily struggles (and the triumphs), the sorrow, the desire for a “normal” life, whatever that is.
My grandson is fiercely loved. And we all know that that love will never be enough to ensure his safety and acceptance in the wider world.