“Alice Boardman has written a book bursting with answers to the questions that every parent will have at the front of their minds, and her answers are practical, positive and clear. The message for me is “listen to parents”. They have a wealth of advice to share”. Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre, Cambridge University
Your questions about autism answered!
What would you ask a parent who has lived through the rollercoaster of the early years of autism?
Why does my child have autism? Will my child speak? How do I improve my child’s diet? What is the best school for my special needs child? How do you cope?
These are questions Alice wanted to ask when both her sons were diagnosed on the autistic spectrum. Feeling alone, feeling lost, Alice set out to find the answers.
This book brings the real life experience of the early years of autism together in an easy-to-read question and answer style, that any parent, carer or professional supporting a child with autism needs to know.
This is not a textbook. This is real life.
Alice is a passionate advocate for autism awareness as a public speaker and in the media. She is also a volunteer for autism and disability charities.
I found this to be a fascinating read and a relatable insight into parenting a child with autism. I loved the structure of having a question and providing answers as this gave me opportunities to reflect inwards to my own situation and the ways I have reacted and the challenges and successes we have overcome together. I love books like these which make you feel like you're not the only one going through certain situations and that it is always worth pushing through and being aware of the levels of progress that are made. As Alice mentioned, it puts a fire in your belly and makes you more aware and switched on, turning off the autopilot and breaking out of the ruts. This is a very personal, human and emotional perspective of one family's life with autism and I am grateful for the vulnerability and honesty with which she shared her experiences. This is definitely worth a read for anyone, parent, carer, relative, friend or professional trying to understand what life is like for a parent, and more importantly, a child living with autism.
Loved it!! A lot of it related to my own journey with my son, I felt every emotion reading about her children's lifes from laughter to pure sadness. Lovely book
A brilliant insight into what its like living with autism, not from the perspective of someone who has ASD but from so done who loves and cares for that person. Funny, touching and mostly awe inspiring
Wow! Such a good book, not usually the kind of book I choose to read but I wanted to learn more about autism and this looked good. I love that it is truthful and gives you an insight into what life is like for the parents and the children. I like that in included some traits her children have to show us how different the spectrum is and how she included definitions. She also included strategies which may not be useful to everyone but maybe to others. Would definitely recommend this! Best book I've read in a long time!