Autism Belongs

School Daze #3

by Sharon A. Mitchell

Manny is not like other children. He doesn’t talk. He doesn’t leave the house. His parents desperately try to arrange their world so that Manny does not get upset. Because, when he does, well, the aggression was getting worse. Too many times Tomas had to leave work to rescue his wife from the havoc of their son’s meltdowns. At ten, Manny was becoming difficult to handle.
Passing by a bakery made all the difference. There, they met people who understand autism, along with its strengths and challenges. They learn ways to help Manny communicate and socialize and to have his needs met. Dare they consider letting him go to school?
Meet Kyle, Ben, Mel and the other characters you read about in the Amazon bestseller Autism Goes to School and see how they’ve grown and progressed.
Author Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell has worked in schools as a teacher, counselor and consultant for thirty years. Her Master's and Doctorate degrees focused on autism. She has delivered workshops and seminars to thousands participants including at national conferences.
What do readers say about Autism Goes to School?

165 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2015

About the author

Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell lives on a farm, with her nearest neighbor several miles away. Doesn't that seem like the ideal setting to spark the imagination? She takes long walks with her hundred-pound German Shepherd dogs, Pickles and Dill. (She didn't name them - don't blame her).

Her newest work are clean, contemporary, western romances in The Farmers of Goodrich County series.

She's working on her eighth psychological thriller novel for the When Bad Things Happen series.

Besidestfive short stories tied to that series, she's written six novels, each featuring an autistic child or young adult. Two nonfiction books accompany that autism series.

Sharon's been a teacher, counselor, psychologist and consultant for decades and continues to teach university classes to soon--to-be teachers and administrators.

Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell is author of the psychological thriller series When Bad Things Happen:
·GONE
·TRUST
·SELFISH
- INSTINCT
-REASONS WHY
-MINE
-SANCTUM
·YOUNG ANNA (a short story)
·Anything for Her Son (prequel short story)

Western Romances:
- The Farmer Takes a Wife
-The Farmer Says I Do
- The Farmer's Christmas Duty
- In Case of Rain

She's also written a series of six novels, each featuring a child or young adult on the autism spectrum:
·Autism Goes to School
·Autism Runs Away
·Autism Belongs
·Autism Talks and Talks
·Autism Grows Up
·Autism Goes to College
·Autism Box Set- Books 1-3

In addition, there are two nonfiction books:
·Autism Questions Parents Ask & the Answers They Seek
·Autism Questions Teachers Ask & the Answers They Seek

Reviews

[Sue King · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very easy read. An excellent, quick read for those who work with individuals diagnosed with ASD. Taken from an educationists and parents perpective....sometimes we are so concerned about what is happening ....or not happening ... at school, we forget what maybe being experienced at home.

[Audiobookreviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autism Belongs deals with several different issues – denial, cultural traditions, autism and violence. Tomas has lost his job because Manny has been violent with his mother again; now jobless Maria and Tomas must face more difficulties each day. On one of Manny’s good days they walk downtown and stop at a bakery where life for them changes. There they discover they are not alone. They find encouragement and a supportive system that understands and knows how to help them.

Diagnosing Manny with autism is confusing and devastating but now Tomas and Maria and Manny have a lifeline – they have knowledge and people to help them through the process of learning and teaching Manny. But first, they must cross other concerns before they all work together – cultural traditions that stand in their way as well as fear. Ben, Mel, Kyle, Ellie and others carefully guide Tomas and Maris through the frightening parts helping Manny to become interactive and an active member of life.

Dr. Sharon Mitchell clearly understands what parents, family and friends go through when living with and working with children diagnosed as autistic. She carefully weaves a fictional story around the harsh facts of autism, providing answers, guidance and a lifeline to those who face this disorder every day.

Well written, Mitchell recognizes the importance of showing characters with the same fears, lack of experience/knowledge and feelings of denial. Furthermore, she shows us the darker side of the disorder in this installment. She promotes, successfully in my opinion, the need for more education and support for children and their families who suffer with Autism.

Mitchell carefully develops each character and interaction with care and attention. One cannot help but feel the emotional tug of Tomas, Manny and Maria. Not to mention seeing the growth of Kyle and Ben from book one. Amazing book!

WordsAPlenty gives this book a five-star review for Mitchell’s ability to weave fact and fiction together in an educational and thought provoking book series. This book is highly recommended for everyone, all ages. The layers within this book is awe-inspiring.

[L.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE

This review is of the accuracy/sensitivity of the portrayal of the autistic characters in this book. This is a cliff-notes version of the full review, which is available on YouTube.

Overall Opinion
**** - As always, the book was a generally enjoyable read.
Clarity of Autism
***** - The characters’ autism is stated in the text.
Use of Stereotypes
***** - Multiple and varied autistic characters prevent stereotypes from taking hold.
Accuracy
***** - Once again, Mitchell shows that she knows what she's talking about when it comes to autistic children and the adult autistic character moves to the background.
Storylines
**** - The autistic characters have story and plot, but it primary revolves around their autism.
Respect
***** - While this book still has the problem of the second, where autistic characters were shown conscious and deliberate respect, but not really given it by the narrative through having stories of their own, the fact that the characters are in more secondary roles, like in the first book, makes that easy enough to forgive.
Final Score
4.5 Stars - It would have been nice to see an autistic character have a storyline outside of their autism, but other than that, it’s a solid book.

FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE

[Deborah Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. This one makes you applaud parents of autistic children

Wow this one was the third in the series and as the mother of an adult aspie, pretty tough to read past the tough times of Mannys initial outbursts and aggressions. But I am so glad I did. You have probably had at least one observation of a hint of a meltdown from someone and this book makes you applaud the parents, teachers, and counselors that support these kids everyday. Enjoyed the story and the hope found.

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I am learning so much from this amazing series. Once again Sharon has used a different aspect of autism. This time the child is non-verbal and can be very violent during his outbursts. Sharon also shows how different cultures deal will autism differently within the family. This book was hard at times for me to read but Sharon once again does a great job of showing us from the mother and father's views.

[Karen Kepner]

Loved all these books. Each is showing a different aspect of someone on the Autism spectrum. All of the books are intertwined with characters appearing in each, along with a new protagonist and story line. The family difficulties of living with and raising a “different” child, along with peoples’ prejudices and preconceived notions, are examined and dealt with in a positive manner. Real people, real life stories, and an insight into the psyche of each. Great stories, all of them!

[Rustina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

This book give you a look into a family , where child is non verbal.I can understand why the parents did not want to reach out to others for help. It is hard to know who can be trusted , with personal information.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autism Belongs

I keep thinking the books end to soon but I actually think I just don't want them to end. I get so caught up in the story I want more.

[Sharon Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would love to hear your thoughts on this one, please.