Making Peace with Autism: One Family's Story of Struggle, Discovery, and Unexpected Gifts

Making Peace with Autism: One Family's Story of Struggle, Discovery, and Unexpected Gifts

by Susan Senator
Making Peace with Autism: One Family's Story of Struggle, Discovery, and Unexpected Gifts

Making Peace with Autism: One Family's Story of Struggle, Discovery, and Unexpected Gifts

by Susan Senator

Paperback

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Overview

Receiving a diagnosis of autism is a major crisis for parents and families, who often feel as if their world has come to an end. In this insightful narrative, a courageous and inspiring mother explains why a diagnosis of autism doesn't have to shatter a family's dreams of happiness. Senator offers the hard-won, in-the-trenches wisdom of someone who's been there and is still there today—and she demonstrates how families can find courage, contentment, and connection in the shadow of autism.



In Making Peace with Autism, Susan Senator describes her own journey raising a child with a severe autism spectrum disorder, along with two other typically developing boys. Without offering a miracle treatment or cure, Senator offers valuable strategies for coping successfully with the daily struggles of life with an autistic child.



Along the way she models the combination of stamina and courage, openness, and humor that has helped her family to survive—and even to thrive. Topics include: the agony of diagnosis, grieving and acceptance, finding the right school program, helping siblings with their struggles and concerns, having fun together, and keeping the marriage strong.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781590303825
Publisher: Shambhala
Publication date: 12/12/2006
Pages: 272
Product dimensions: 5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents


Preface     ix
Prologue     1
Wondering     7
Now We Know     31
The First School Programs     51
Life with Our Two Small Boys     77
Hitting Bottom     99
A New Baby in the Family     123
Building a Strong Marriage within Autism's Turmoil     139
Handling the Worst of Times     167
Our Most Important Discovery     189
Just a Family     219
Epilogue     241
Acknowledgments     245
A Brief Overview of Treatments and Interventions     247
Glossary: Key Terms Used in the Special Ed System     231
Resources     255
About the Author     259
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