From the pens, minds and hearts of mums and dads

Since the Batsman’s autism diagnosis, I have read lots about autism.

I have read articles and websites, books and blogs. In the early days, I read every single thing I could get my hands on. I think that is a natural response to the “not knowing” that comes with a diagnosis like autism. These days I still read a lot but I am more selective. I think I choose more wisely and I realise that no matter how much time I devote to it, it just isn’t possible to read everything. I now have a personal rule where I alternate my reading. One autism book, one “other” book like a mystery, a biography or a novel, one autism book and so on. Yes Suz, it’s ok to cut yourself a little bit of slack. It’s ok for us all to do that.

Of all I have read, one of the most valuable genres has been that of the parent account of their journey with their child, with their family, with autism along for the ride. From the pens, minds and hearts of mums and dads have come incredible insight, despair, tears and nods of agreement, pride in the autism parenting community and perhaps most important of all that solid knowledge that no matter how tough it all gets, that I am not alone.

They are individual journeys but there is shared understanding.

These are some of the parent accounts I have read:

When Horse Became Saw by Anthony Macris
Making Peace with Autism by Susan Senator
The Other Country by Michael Whelan
A Friend Like Henry by Nuala Gardner
I also have “Living with Max” by Chloe Maxwell sitting by my bed waiting for me to read too.

I have loved some of the parent accounts more than others. Some I have identified with much more powerfully. But all together, they have given me something so very special and powerful. Not alone. I am part of something. A bit like writing here I guess. We are all in this together.

What parent accounts of living with autism have you read? I would love to create a bit of a list as a resource for sharing.
Do you think you will ever write your own book?

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