Sincerely, your autistic child : what people on the autism spectrum wish their parents knew about growing up, acceptance, and identity
Publication Information
Boston, Massachusetts : Beacon Press, [2021]
Physical Description
xvi, 208 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm
Summary
A diverse collection of autistic voices that highlights how parents can avoid common mistakes and misconceptions, and make their child feel truly accepted, valued, and celebrated for who they are. From childhood and education to culture, gender identity, and sexuality, this anthology tackles the everyday joys and challenges of growing up while honestly addressing the emotional needs, sensitivity, and vibrancy of autistic kids, youth, and young adults. Contributors reflect on what they have learned while growing up on the autism spectrum and how parents can avoid common mistakes and overcome challenges while raising their child. -- adapted from Amazon.com.
"In this book, autistic people of diverse racial, ethnic, educational, socioeconomic, and gender backgrounds talk about not just what we wish our own parents had known when we were growing up, but what we most want all parents to know about raising autistic kids today"--
Notes
"Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network."
Contents
- Foreword / Early memories, childhood, and education. Acknowledge vulnerability; presume competence / It's us against the world, kid / What autistic girls wish their parents knew about friendship / What your daughter deserves: love, safety, and the truth / What I wish you knew / Change the world, not your child / Empathy and non-verbal cues / The first time I heard of autism / What I wish my parents knew about being their autistic daughter / A particular way of being / Acceptance and adaptation. A daughter's journey: lessons, honesty, and love / Still your child / Perfect in an imperfect world / Who gets to be diagnosed? and who does it serve? / Unconventional / I wish I wasn't so hard on myself back then / Ten things I wish my parents had known when I was growing up / I am an autistic woman / The view from outside the window / Finding me: the journey to acceptance / Autism, self-acceptance, and hope / Intersectional identity and finding community. Keep her safe; let her fly free / Tell me I'm autistic / Autism, sensory experiences, and family culture / Safe harbors in a difficult world / Give your daughters autistic community / A parents' guide to being transgender and autistic / On surviving loneliness and isolation, and learning to live with loss / There's a place / Conclusion