All Across the Spectrum

by Eileen Lamb

To all the parents trying their hardest to give their children the best life possible despite the circumstances, you are not alone. This book is for you. Eileen Lamb, founder of The Autism Cafe, takes us on a journey of love, acceptance, and self-discovery in All Across the Spectrum. As the mother of a severely autistic nonverbal son, and as someone living with high-functioning autism herself, Eileen’s unique story, coupled with her stunning collection of photography, is an inspiration and tribute to all who overcome the impossible and persevere for those they love.

72 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 16, 2019

Reviews

[Lindsey Braddick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and informative read

As a new mom who has been told her child may be autistic and fearing the unknown, this book was an informative and most importantly, a comforting read.

[Lani-01 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eileen explain her childhood and her own journey to an autism diagnosis it’s an absolutely gorgeous amazing story and such an eye opener as she explains what is like for herself as an autistic adult but also as a mother raising her autistic children, who are on different ends of the spectrum the advice she provides is priceless.

This book saved me. As a parent who has a child on the spectrum i felt totally isolated and full of guilt towards the feelings I had as my child was diagnosed, when I read this book for me it was finding my village. if you are going through a diagnosis you MUST read this.

[MLLE DOROTHEE · Rating 5 out of 5]

First attracted by the pictures and the light...then I started reading : Eileen can find the words I could not express myself. Beyond thé aesthetics, I can now say that the book helps me as a Mom and as an educational therapist. Looking forward to discovering the 2nd book.

[Melanie Pienaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autistic parents of autistic children (especially those with higher support needs) are often marginalised in the autism community, because the world at large seems to be either interested in the stories of non-autistic parents
raising autistic children, or autistic adults.

Eileen Lamb is a level 1 (also referred to as low support needs) autist)who is also mother to a non-verbal son with level 3 (or high support needs) autism. In the book she discusses:

- The differences between her and her son’s support needs and how his much higher needs impact them as a family
- The challenges of growing up in France, a country that stigmatizes mental health and neurological disabilities and how that impacted her late diagnosis
- Her frustration with the online autistic community and their judgement towards parents of autistic children with high support needs, even when those parents are themselves autistic.
This filled me with grief: On the one hand I've seen how autism parents are sometimes attacked by autistic adults, and parenting is hard enough without the internet telling you that you're doing it wrong. But on the other hand I've also seen how demeaning and invalidating some autism parents are towards autistic adults and their needs.
Hopefully this book and others like it will help bridge the gap.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Thought provoking. Relatable. ❤️

[Brittney Witucky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely amazing and beautiful book.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary. A times heartbreaking, All Across the Spectrum is the story of Charlie, diagnosed with severe Autism as a toddler, and his mother Eileen, whose discovery of her own high functioning Autism is her revelation as an adult. The book is beautifully illustrated with heart-warming photographs of the author's family, including Charlie's younger brother Jude, and her husband Willy. Eileen Lamb's writing is is clear, insightful, and informative. She draws comparisons on the treatment of autism in France, her native country, and the U.S., and provides a sharp analysis of debates about treatment and disability status that plague parents who love their autistic children and want to provide them the very best in life. Lamb also produces the Autism Cafe, a blog that explores the still little-known world of parenting and (appreciating) those across the spectrum.