The Autism Mom's Survival Guide (for Dads, too!): Creating a Balanced and Happy Life While Raising a Child with Autism

Description

Given the daily challenges of raising a child with autism, it's easy for parents to lose sight of themselves, for their marriages to weaken or fall apart, and for their overall quality of life to plummet. Studies indicate high rates of depression among autism mums and that their depression does not usually subside with the passage of time. Susan Senator interweaves her own experiences raising an autistic child with the voices of parents, researchers, and professionals in the field to offer guidance and encouragement: Parents can take care of themselves while taking care of their children. Parents and families can have good lives even if their children aren't 'cured'. "The Autism Mom's Survival Guide" is unique among books about autism in that it is not primarily about how to parent an autistic child. Instead, it is written for the challenged parents themselves, understanding them to be individuals who need to find fun, happiness, validation, and fulfillment now - in the midst of struggle and hardship - in order to be healthy and whole. Topics include strategies for: handling feelings of despair and hopelessness, caring for your marriage, finding a good balance between accepting your child and seeking new treatments, understanding the challenges of autistic adolescence, and looking toward your child's adulthood.

Susan Senator is the mother of three boys, the oldest of whom has autism. She is the author of Making Peace with Autism, a memoir of her family's struggles and triumphs. Her writing on autism has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Boston Globe. She has been featured on the Today Show, CNN, MSNBC, Voice of America, and NPR.

"4 1/2 stars out of 5. Reflects the true experience of autism parents, bravely presenting the painful controversies and issues that crop up when the medical and educational communities fail to provide the support or information needed to make good decisions. Senator's prose is intense, sometimes anguished, with occasional glimpses of poetry. A satisfying book...the stuff of truly gripping memoir."-About.com "Exceptional. Reading this was like Senator was holding my hand, leading me through the process, coaching me. She deftly and graciously addresses the issues of depression, and coping with judgment and criticism. Senator offers concrete advice for gaining perspective and choosing therapies for our children."-TeenAutism.com "Senator's message of a balanced life is valid and empowering at any point in a family's journey with ASD. A great read."-Library Journal "This book is undoubtedly one of the best I've read on raising a child with autism. The author has an authentic way of inviting the reader to look at all sides of an issue and gain a broader perspective of what it means to live in a family affected by autism, without ever sounding too clinical, preachy, or victimized. Senator's believable writing style, personal experience, and ability to blend the different viewpoints of other parents makes The Autism Mom's Survival Guide as real as it gets."-Exceptional Parent "Did you know that autism parents can choose an identity other than Avenging Warrior or Martyr? That it is reasonable to aim for happy lives for us and for our children, despite our kids' challenges? If this is news to you, then you need to read The Autism Mom's Survival Guide (For Dads, Too!) ASAP."-BlogHer.com "The Autism Mom's Survival Guide is unique among books about autism in that it is not primarily about how to parent an autistic child. Instead, it is written for the challenged parents themselves, understanding them to be individuals who need to find fun, happiness, validation, and fulfillment now, in the midst of struggle and hardship, in order to be healthy and whole."-Special Needs Project "Autism parents should keep this book close by for comfort and reassurance. Professionals will get a glimpse into the daily struggles facing the families that come through their offices. Susan has done us all a real service."-Eileen Costello, MD, coauthor of Quirky Kids "This brilliant book offers a wealth of insights and advice on finding personal happiness and contentment while parenting a child with autism."-Tim Shriver, CEO of Special Olympics "A life-line. Senator spoke my language, said the things I was afraid to say or even admit to myself."-Lahnaya, autism blogger "Every parent of a child with autism should read this book. It's honest and hopeful in equal measure, a rare feat in the world of special needs."-Claire LaZebnik, coauthor of Overcoming Autism "Senator knows well and writes eloquently about the real journey-both the sorrow and the joy-of being the mother of a boy with autism."-Karl Taro Greenfield, author of Boy Alone: A Brother's Memoir "Susan provides a crisp and practical road map for parents along with links to organizations that provide services and resources. I love the upbeat tone of the book. A great addition to the 'autism parent's' bookshelf."-Laura Shumaker, author of A Regular Guy: Growing Up with Autism