Motherhood And Autism

While autism is gaining increasing attention as an important subject of theological inquiry, the maternal experience of caring for a child with autism has had less attention. Traversing issues of gender, embodiment, disability and motherhood, this book explores the distinctness of mothering within the context of autism, examining how theology currently responds to the challenges this lived experience presents. Weaving together an honest reflection on her own experience with analysis of contemporary theological works on disability and motherhood, the book reflects on mothering, and especially mothering of autistic children, as a unique site of struggle and resistance.

This book looks at what it feels like to be an autistic parent, offering valuable insights, knowledge and wisdom on parenting autistic and non-autistic children. Three mothers reflect on their experiences of growing up as undiagnosed autistics, venturing into and embracing motherhood, and connecting with their children in a unique and powerful way. They offer advice on overcoming the challenges of parenting when you are autistic, such as socialising with other parents or sensory issues that come with excessive touch. Reflecting on their own experiences, they also emphasize the positives of being an autistic parent to an autistic child, such as understanding of why their child is struggling or the open-mindedness that can come from not being constrained by societal norms. They also explain how out-of-the-box thinking leads to creative parenting of non-autistic children, forming strong and loving bonds. Full of wit and warm advice, this book empowers autistic parents and reassures them that autism is a strength in raising their children with love, knowledge and experience, while also giving non-autistic parents and professionals a fresh perspective on helping autistic children to thrive.

Already the mother of five children, Lana Grant's late diagnosis of autism at age 38 transformed her experience of her sixth pregnancy. Based on her own experiences of the challenges and joys of pregnancy and motherhood, this witty, entertaining read provides insight into the unique challenges encountered by mothers on the spectrum and provides tips and strategies for understanding and overcoming them. From physical and emotional changes, through to changes of routine and a lack of sleep, Lana Grant explains what women on the spectrum should expect in pregnancy and motherhood, as well as preparing them for the inevitable unexpected! Her stories of learning to make allowances for her feelings and her witty anecdotes offer support and a like-minded voice to women on the spectrum. She discusses everything from learning to understand the language used by medical professionals, who to tell what and when, and the dangers of over-sharing, through to sensory challenges during and after delivery, what to expect from staff in the hospital, and the social challenges of interacting with other mums before and after the birth. The first book on this important topic of pregnancy and motherhood on the autism spectrum, From Here to Maternity provides much needed support, insight and understanding for women on the spectrum, their family and friends, and the professionals working with them during and after pregnancy.

Raising an autistic child comes with its own unique set of challenges, not least of which is dealing with the constant scrutiny of your parenting. This collection of stories from all corners of the globe celebrates the love, commitment and heroism of mothers of autistic people. These intimate accounts reveal both the differences in cultural attitudes, and the universality of the autism experience. Mothers from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds speak out about the highs and lows of raising autistic children, and the shift in attitudes to autism as they watch their children enter adult life. Putting to bed the belief that autism is a result of poor parenting, this book not only lets parents know they are part of a supportive global community, it also highlights the positive aspects of autism and champions neurodiversity.

A mother of an autistic child and a psychologist share valuable information about raising a child with autism. Offering parent-to-parent advice as well as professional guidance, this book tackles such issues as picky eating, bedtime battles, and discipline.

Given the daily challenges of raising a child with autism, it’s easy for parents to lose themselves and for their overall quality of life to plummet. Susan Senator interweaves the voices of autism parents, researchers, and professionals to offer guidance and encouragement on how to find happiness and fulfillment in the midst of the struggles of raising an autistic child. Topics include: how to handle feelings of despair and hopelessness; finding fun, even during turbulent times; caring for your marriage; and finding a balance between accepting your child as he or she is and seeking new treatments. To learn more about the author, visit her website at susansenator.com.

‘He’ll grow out of it,’ my friends told me. ‘He’s so intelligent,’ my family said. ‘Your parents are mathematicians,’ people reminded me. ‘What did you expect?’ What did I expect? We expect many things of our children. Most of the time we are only aware of these expectations when something happens to make it impossible for them to be fulfilled. When Ben is a baby, Rachel puts his behavioural quirks down to eccentricity. He likes to count letterboxes; he hates to get his hands dirty; loud noises make him anxious. But as Ben grows and his quirks become more pronounced, it becomes clear there is something else going on. When he is diagnosed with autism, Rachel must reconsider everything she thought she knew about parenting, about Ben, and about how best to mother him. Reaching One Thousand charts her quest to understand autism and to build a new kind of relationship with her son. Exquisitely written, this is a thought-provoking reflection on family and understanding and a tender love letter from a mother to her son. Shortlisted for the 2013 National Biography Award. ‘Rachel Robertson has achieved something incredible with Reaching One Thousand. Infused with lyricism, love, respect, nuance and open-minded curiosity, this is the best book I've read about a parent seeking to understand the interior life of her child, and the experience of autism. An intimate and moving tour de force.’ —Natasha Mitchell, ABC Radio National ‘Deeply touching but never sentimental, this remarkable book is more than a story of one boy and his mother. It’s a thoughtful meditation on the intricate workings of the human mind and heart.’ —Toni Jordan ‘This is the best kind of memoir – there is a beautiful calm clarity that drew me in, and held me until the end.’ —Georgia Blain ‘Reaching One Thousand is an exceptional achievement. Rachel Robertson’s deeply moving story of raising her autistic son has a kind of quiet truthfulness, born of uncommon powers of observation, wry humour, a capacity to pay attention to what matters, and a fine moral intelligence.’ —Anne Manne, author of Motherhood and The Story of I ‘Robertson eloquently captured not just the trials of autism but also the rewards of being exposed to her son’s unique view of the world.’ —Weekend Australian

Stories of hope and recovery from a nation of parents of autistic children, by the high-profile, bestselling author of Louder Than Words. When Jenny McCarthy published Louder Than Words, the story of her successful efforts to save her son, Evan, from autism, the response was tremendous. It hit #3 on the New York Times bestseller list; and Jenny and Evan were featured on the covers of several magazines, including People. But what she hadn’t anticipated was the overwhelming response from other parents of autistic children, who sought her out to share their stories. No two autistic children heal in exactly the same way. And in her new book, Jenny expands her message to share recovery stories from parents across the country. Mother Warriors, shows how each parent fought to find her own child’s perfect “remedy of interventions” and teaches parents how to navigate safely through the many autism therapies. Along the way, Jenny shares her own journey as an autism advocate and mother as well as the progress of her son, Evan. Emotional and genuinely practical, Mother Warriors will inspire a generation of parents with hope.