Hold Fast: Motherhood, My Autistic Daughter and Me

by Catherine Simpson

It was obvious to Catherine Simpson from the beginning that there was something different about her first child, Nina.

Motherhood had always felt like Catherine's destiny, and she'd grown up nurturing joyful visions of the family she'd create. But her dreams crashed headfirst into the reality of parenthood. It seemed that the world was not Nina-shaped, and no matter how hard they both tried, they had to fight almost everything – especially once Nina started school.

Aged ten, Nina's autism was diagnosed and a door opened. It became clear why she didn't think or behave the way other children did, but faced with school bullies, dismissive doctors and insensitive peers, her difficulties were far from over. She and Catherine still felt as though it was them against a world that demanded Nina change as a child and Catherine as a mother.

While Nina remained resolutely herself, Catherine adapted. Mothering an autistic child lit a fierce determination within her and underlined the power of her unconditional love.

This is an unforgettable story that shows what a gift it is to see someone not as the world tells them they should be, but as they are.

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2025

Reviews

[Bookworm86 · Rating 4 out of 5]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'Hold Fast' by Catherine Simpson

I will start by saying that this isn't my usual chosen genre being a memoir but as this is written by a Mum with a daughter with autism and as a Mum with twin boys with autism well I just had to read it!! I am also an eclectic reader and happy to read most books. I must say that if you are the same as me and don't normally read non fiction then don't let that put you off and pick up your copy of this beautiful memoir today. Before I go any further I do need to let readers know that there are several difficult topics mentioned throughout the storyline that an be upsetting for some readers and/or unsuitable for others. Some of these topics include bullying, mental health, self harm and cancer amongst others. I always feel it is important to mention any topics that readers may struggle with at the beginning of my review. Now that I have covered that I will continue with my review. This is an absolutely beautiful memoir that is unique in regards to its storyline. I have of course come across hundreds of books about autism but this is actually the first non fiction book I have read. I really felt like I connected with Catherine having both had similar experiences, although with my boys being younger I have yet to go through some of the things that Catherine, Nina and of course Lara went through. Thankfully, though I never had the problems when it came to the diagnosis as times have changed for the better when it comes to autism awareness. Also when it comes to boys it is much easier than when it comes to girls. It is a myth that autism is a boys "condition", girls also have autism but they are underdiagnosed due to the fact that they are much better at masking behaviours hence it is a lot harder for mums like Catherine to get a diagnosis for girls. Although Catherine and my experiences are different when it comes to the diagnoses itself I seen a lot of similarities when it came to Nina's behaviours and behaviours that i see in my boys Hunter and Ryder, such as the self harm which Ryder has been doing more recently. My heart broke for Nina for how she was treated by children her age and that is one of my biggest fears as the boys grow. I love the fact that Catherine has written this memoir in such a raw and honest manner without covering up the difficult times or her feelings. So many of the things that she wrote I completely agree with and am so glad to see that it is not just me, especially some of the rubbish I have heard when it comes to autism (and twins to add to that!). I would absolutely LOVE to see Nina herself write a memoir but also Lara. Lara is the younger sibling in Catherine's family but my son is the eldest and I really would love to see Lara's experiences as the sibling of someone with autism as well as Nina herself. This book really is a poignant, raw and emotional one filled with family, struggles, love, heartache, strength, regret, living and so much more. If you want to know more then grab your copy of this beautiful book today and I can promise that you will not regret it!! Catherine has done a beautiful job in captivating her emotions, struggles, anger, guilt and heartache weaving it into this gorgeous memoir. This poignant and beautifully written memoir is a story of having to fight for help, fight for answers, hope, strength, determination
and more I truly believe that everybody should read it whether you are related to or know someone with autism or not as it really shows how much gets taken for granted by those who do not have to fight uphill battles constantly. I was completely invested in Catherine, Nina and Lara and I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting of several hours. Catherine's emotive and evocative writing skills ensures the reader feels that they are standing next to her feeling, seeing and going through everything that she is. There were moments when I felt annoyance, sadness, joy, happiness and many more emotions on this roller-coaster ride that is Catherine's life as a mum with a daughter with autism. Catherine really does show the complexities and emotions of what they went through as a family through diagnosis, schooling and more and she does not hide away from the truth which I commend her for. There is not much point in writing a memoir if the truth is dressed up all nicely and Catherine really does open up throughout the pages. I was intrigued learning about what went on during those times, the experiences Catherine, Nina and and her friends and family had and just every single page had something emotive contained in the words! This book truly is an honest and open memoir which I just could not put down. I carried my book everywhere with me and ended up devouring it in one sitting and then wishing I hadn't read it so fast!! I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by this extremely talented author especially her fiction book 'Truestory' which she mentions in this book as well as her previous memoirs.

Clear your schedules and get ready to take a journey with Catherine through this beautiful, raw and emotive memoir!!! You wont regret it and you wont be able to put it down!! Congratulations Catherine on an emotive and beautiful read!

Overall an emotionally charged, evocative, aw, honest and immersive memoir.

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[Sherley's Reading Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing and relatable read. As a mother of a neurodivergent child, I have often felt alone. When we first learned that our daughter and all her beautiful uniqueness would have to face the world as a person outside of what is defined as “normal,” a concept we detest by the way, my husband and I wanted to take on all the pain and hardship she would have to face in the future. When she was young, we often wondered if we could have done something different; If we could have changed the outcome. Even now, after doing tons of research and educating ourselves, there is still a sense of worry and fear for how our daughter will be treated in this big scary world.

As parents, we always want what’s best for our child. Whether good or bad, we try to teach our daughter how to adapt to the world, how to “fit in.” But sometimes, fitting in is not always possible or best. In my eyes, my daughter is my greatest gift. Her intelligence knows no bounds. She is the sweetest and most loving person you will ever meet, but the world sees her as “different.” That hurts at times and reading books like Simpson’s helps to remind my husband and I that we are not alone and though the daily life may be a struggle, we, as her parents, are truly blessed.

I loved the the structure and writing style of this memoir. Simpson takes us on a journey; from growing up on a farm, playing with dolls, always wanting to be a mother, to getting married, giving up her career, to her trying to make sure she did “everything right” during pregnancy, it was all so relatable to me. No amount of planning and hoping and wishing can prepare you for the realities of motherhood. Simpson’s writing was a reminder of that. It was so honest, raw, relatable, and educational. It had been a while since I read a book describing the true nature of motherhood as this author did, and I am so happy to have done so.

Catherine Simpson’s 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝑭𝒂𝒔𝒕 was a true joy to read. While reading, I dreamt with her, laughed with her, cried with her, and rejoiced with her. Motherhood is not always sunshine and rainbows. It can be filled with guilt, worry, and at times, can be right down exhausting. But this book is a reminder that joy comes after the storms. Watching the growth of Simpson’s daughter throughout the story gives me hope. Seeing her fight and advocacy for her daughter gives me the strength to keep fighting for my daughter.

I would recommend 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝑭𝒂𝒔𝒕 to everyone. It is a must read for every mother, father, or anyone that will be a part of their support system.

🆀🆄🅾🆃🅴🆂
💛 “Motherhood is often portrayed as a world of contentment and joy; it remains difficult to be honest open and unsentimental about the actuality. For me, the myths of motherhood crashed headfirst into the reality.”
💛 “The obsession with being ‘normal’ was in fact a desire for my child to be accepted by the world.”
💛 “[Nina] pointed out that the message she always picked up from the non-autistic world was ‘𝑰𝒇 𝒂 𝒏𝒐𝒏-𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏, 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒏𝒐𝒏-𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏, 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈.’ Which is a summary of a no-win situation…”
💛 “We are all of equal value, but that does not make all our needs the same.”
💛 “And I know that any wisdom I have gathered along the way, and any understanding I have garnered about how to survive this life, and make meaning from it, has been achieved through the act of raising my children. My children had been, and remain, my greatest teachers.”

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold Fast: Motherhood, My Autistic Daughter and Me by Catherine Simpson
As I am also a mother with autistic children, I was intrigued to read this book written by Catherine Simpson. She is 59 years old, married to her Italian husband Cello and they have two daughters, Lara and Nina. Nina is autistic.
Hold Fast is a beautifully written memoir, written in a very accessible, chatty and funny way. It’s also brutally honest and really easy to get into. I very much enjoyed it and read it in a couple of days.
I loved reading about the author’s childhood, her collection of dolls (I am jealous she had a Tressy!) and the differences between the personalities of her parents. Then she moves on to her experience of motherhood, the main focus of the book, as she covers her first pregnancy in 1994 to her daughter becoming an adult.
I was pregnant four times in the 1990s and could definitely relate to her memories. I think the Early Learning Centre became my second home, so it was fun to see Catherine mentioning this too. We also share many of the same favourite books from childhood!
The book reads like a chat with a friend over coffee and I loved it. I was there, nodding along, saying “Me too!” at various times and recalling my own experiences of similar situations. I also remember people telling me that being a full-time mum must be boring and unstimulating, while there I was, working an unpaid 24/7 job and discovering that once you’re a mother, you never ever stop worrying about your children.
As Nina grows up, we see how she seems different to other children. She doesn’t like noise, crowds or birthday parties. Catherine writes how she feels she is Nina’s translator – yes, that’s exactly it! I’m the same with my son, explaining the world to him and telling people what he sometimes can’t articulate himself.
Nina also struggles at school, as my son did until I decided to home educate him. Catherine and Nina’s experiences are often upsetting, the way they are treated by other kids and parents, strangers, so-called experts – but what stands out, reading this, is how both of them (and Cello and Lara) kept going, kept fighting. It is truly an inspirational read and I would definitely recommend it, especially if you have experiences similar, but even if you don’t, it’s well worth a read.

[A Red Headed Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 Book Review 📖

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘If a non - Autistic person does not understand an Autistic person, it is because the Autistic person has poor communication skills. But if the Autistic person does not understand a non - Autistic person, it is because the Autistic person has poor understanding.’ - let that sink in.

Thank you @catherinesimpsonwriter @lovebookstours & @sarabandbooks for including me on this tour ✨

A lot of this book made sense to me and a lot of feelings I have daily.

‘I could not speak and immediately burst into tears.’
- this line the most because one moment I will never forget is the diagnosis appointment for my own son. Completely almost shocked (but not) and crying all the way back to the car with my son sat in his chair completely unaware of the huge moment that just happened.

A very honest and real life book on a topic so many have to face and battle on a daily basis in many ways.
To be heard, to get support or acknowledgement or even just keeping these vulnerable children safe, day in day out.

‘I spent a lot of time in crisis mode - constantly vigilant for potential disaster, waiting for the next hurricane force.’

A very true glimpse into the school system and how it can have such devastating effects to a family.
How peoples ‘helpful’ comments can stay with a parent for days, months or years.

A good book to read regardless if you have a Neurodivergent child or not.
The best thing is to educate yourself ❤️

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start ?

It is easy to read Catherine Simpson’s memoirs. Not because the subject matter is ever easy , it isn’t that. Her previous non fiction books have explored her sister’s mental health struggles and suicide, and Catherine’s own cancer diagnosis and treatment. This book is about her experiences of raising her autistic daughter - the self doubt, the endless advocacy , the impossibilities of navigating the education and health systems. (Are they even systems ? Actually doubtful).

This was easy to read because the writer’s voice is so clear and unwavering , she is disarmingly honest and reflective, and her detailed observations just bring everything so vividly to life. It’s also quite often jaw droppingly funny.

My lasting impressions will be:
- We are really pretty awful in this country at supporting children and their families who don’t fit into neat little boxes.
- Mums who need to fight the broken system in general (and Catherine in particular) are warriors. They shouldn’t have to be , but underestimate them at your peril!
- I hope I do half as good a job at raising my girls as CS has.

[Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt it was a privilege to read this book – thank you Catherine and Nina for sharing your story and wisdom.
As someone who has spent a career working with young people, many with Autism, I could truly resonate with the struggles and frustrations of living in a world that is not always inclusive, often judgmental, and too quick to follow trends like “social stories” as though one size fits all.
I also connected with Catherine’s own childhood era, and then again with her experiences of becoming a mum as I had in 1994.
The writing is beautifully pitched – full of emotion, humour, and honesty – while also including the perspectives of Nina and her sister Lara. An insightful, moving and important read. It truly is an unforgettable story.

[Peggy Rosina Edmondson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a child free, by choice, late diagnosed neurodivergent woman, I found this a very interesting read.
It was eye opening to see the perspective of a mother of an autistic child, it gave me an insight into what my parents had to deal with raising me in the 1990s.
I enjoyed learning about her early life and the fact she grew up only 40 minutes away from where I did, albeit many years later.
I also found the author's views and "need" to be a mother intriguing as I have VERY different wants, being a mother definitely not one of them!

[Colin Macintyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold Fast was a very enjoyable read. The vulnerability and honesty made the memoir very engaging.

Some parts can be frustrating to read when Catherine is being given unsolicited advice by strangers that feel arrogant enough to comment on another's parenting.

I found the story quite hopeful and would highly recommend it.

[Simon Paul Hunter-Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my usual type of book but what an honest memoir dealing with raising an autistic child

[Renata Greiciunaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could strongly relate to Catherine; felt like it's me talking about my experience. Would recommend to any mum growing an autistic daughter. Revealing, eye-opening, liberating.