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

by SENATOR, SUSAN

• ISBN13: 9781590302446
• ISBN10: 1590302443
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-08-30
• Publisher: Trumpeter

Summary

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 todayand 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 surviveand 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.

Author Biography

Susan Senator is the mother of three boys, the oldest of whom has autism. She is a writer, speaker, and advocate for children and the disabled. Her writing on autism has appeared in the New York Times , the Washington Post , the Boston Globe , Education Week , Teacher Magazine , and Exceptional Parent Magazine .

Table of Contents

PREFACE	ix
PROLOGUE	1	(218)
1 WONDERING	7	(24)
2 NOW WE KNOW	31	(20)
3 THE FIRST SCHOOL PROGRAMS	51	(26)
4 LIFE WITH OUR TWO SMALL BOYS	77	(22)
5 HITTING BOTTOM	99	(24)
6 A NEW BABY IN THE FAMILY	123	(16)
7 BUILDING A STRONG MARRIAGE WITHIN AUTISM'S TURMOIL	139	(28)
8 HANDLING THE WORST OF TIMES	167	(22)
9 OUR MOST IMPORTANT DISCOVERY	189	(30)
10 JUST A FAMILY	219	(22)
EPILOGUE	241	(4)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	245	(2)
APPENDIX A Brief Overview of Treatments and Interventions	247	(4)
GLOSSARY Key Terms Used in the Special Ed System	251	(4)
RESOURCES	255	(4)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR	259