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How Do I Do This? : The Real and Raw Truth About Raising a Child with Special Needs - Interviews With Parents
Are You a Parent of a Child With Special Needs?Are You Feeling Overwhelmed By What This Means and What the Future Might Hold?
Are You Needing Encouragement and Hope For the Journey Ahead?Then this book is for you!
My daughter Sarah is 27. She is non-verbal autistic. When Sarah was first diagnosed, I felt devastated. The fear of the unknown as to what lay ahead was absolutely overwhelming. I was forced to travel a road I had never imagined I would be on, and which was often so hard that I could barely breathe. Yet on that road I met countless wonderful people who helped and supported me and Sarah, many of whom I have interviewed for this book.I would dearly loved to have read this book at the beginning of my journey as a mother of a child with special needs. It is a collection of interviews with parents of children with autism, sensory processing disorder, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Down Syndrome, epilepsy, Fragile X, cerebral palsy and Asperger's Syndrome. Finding people who have travelled further ahead on the same road we are on means that we are not alone. Their experience and the knowledge they have gained can provide a roadmap for us - to shine a light in the darkness of the unknown.This is a book which aims to help those at all stages of the special needs journey. These are true stories from real parents all over the world. These are raw and real stories, woven together with threads of heartbreak and hope, grief and joy, courage and fear, tenacity and persistence and deep, abiding love.
Scroll up to order your copy now!
Are You Needing Encouragement and Hope For the Journey Ahead?Then this book is for you!
My daughter Sarah is 27. She is non-verbal autistic. When Sarah was first diagnosed, I felt devastated. The fear of the unknown as to what lay ahead was absolutely overwhelming. I was forced to travel a road I had never imagined I would be on, and which was often so hard that I could barely breathe. Yet on that road I met countless wonderful people who helped and supported me and Sarah, many of whom I have interviewed for this book.I would dearly loved to have read this book at the beginning of my journey as a mother of a child with special needs. It is a collection of interviews with parents of children with autism, sensory processing disorder, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Down Syndrome, epilepsy, Fragile X, cerebral palsy and Asperger's Syndrome. Finding people who have travelled further ahead on the same road we are on means that we are not alone. Their experience and the knowledge they have gained can provide a roadmap for us - to shine a light in the darkness of the unknown.This is a book which aims to help those at all stages of the special needs journey. These are true stories from real parents all over the world. These are raw and real stories, woven together with threads of heartbreak and hope, grief and joy, courage and fear, tenacity and persistence and deep, abiding love.
Scroll up to order your copy now!
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2020
10 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 11, 2020
A must read for all parents with special needs kids and teachers
This book is a collection of interviews with parents of special needs children. Each of them expressed so bravely and honestly about the struggles and joys of parenting a child with special needs. I do not have children of my own and I can't imagine having a child with special needs. Reading their stories helped me to understand the challenges and daily struggles. As a teacher I have come across a few mild cases of special needs but I never fully grasped the impact of it on the child and their families and this book helped me to see so much more beyond the 'disability'. I admire each and every single one of the parents who shared their stories so openly in this book, and they way they were able to cope with faith and unconditional love for their special children. I love the message of hope and that faith in God allowed them to see that their children were blessings rather than burdens. God does not give us more than we can handle and He is with us every step of the way.
I love that each parent provided a list of resources, books and other helpful advice and suggestions to seek help and support. This book should be read by all parents and teachers, not just those who have special needs children, as everyone should understand and be able to empathise with them so that these kids and parents do not feel isolated or alone in their journeys, to know how to give and show support, be an advocate and speak up for one another.
This book is a collection of interviews with parents of special needs children. Each of them expressed so bravely and honestly about the struggles and joys of parenting a child with special needs. I do not have children of my own and I can't imagine having a child with special needs. Reading their stories helped me to understand the challenges and daily struggles. As a teacher I have come across a few mild cases of special needs but I never fully grasped the impact of it on the child and their families and this book helped me to see so much more beyond the 'disability'. I admire each and every single one of the parents who shared their stories so openly in this book, and they way they were able to cope with faith and unconditional love for their special children. I love the message of hope and that faith in God allowed them to see that their children were blessings rather than burdens. God does not give us more than we can handle and He is with us every step of the way.
I love that each parent provided a list of resources, books and other helpful advice and suggestions to seek help and support. This book should be read by all parents and teachers, not just those who have special needs children, as everyone should understand and be able to empathise with them so that these kids and parents do not feel isolated or alone in their journeys, to know how to give and show support, be an advocate and speak up for one another.
August 15, 2020
A wonderful book!
This book is a wonderful tool for anyone ,whether they have a child with special needs or not.
Full of heartbreakingly honest accounts of how ordinary people have learnt to cope and in so doing have become remarkable, selfless and brave advocates, fighting for their children at every turn.
You are all truly inspiring.
This book is a wonderful tool for anyone ,whether they have a child with special needs or not.
Full of heartbreakingly honest accounts of how ordinary people have learnt to cope and in so doing have become remarkable, selfless and brave advocates, fighting for their children at every turn.
You are all truly inspiring.
October 29, 2020
I love the book as it bridges the gap between the statements of special educational needs (or SEN Plan), and pupils in the classroom, explaining what supportive parents of children with special needs go through from the point of the diagnosis throughout their children lives. Parents acknowledge the ‘disability’ as a blessing rather than a burden that is a part of the child’s identity. They become children ambassadors by becoming their eyes, mouth, and ears.
August 12, 2022
I don’t have autism, neither do my children. Officially, no one in my extended family is on the spectrum, although I have reasons to suspect my grandmother may have been Asperger’s.
This book has been eye-opening for me. As an outsider, I had little conceptualization of what autism is and what raising an autistic child entails. Now, I feel much better equipped to show openness and understanding, and offer support to a parent going through this type of journey, not to mention being more understanding of children who show these “difficult” traits. I have also come to realize how cruel some of my judgements of my grandmother may have been and I am grateful Swift has compiled this book, allowing more people to become more tolerant of the behaviors exhibited by children on the autism spectrum.
I also feel this book is a wonderful resource for parents who are starting out their journey with an autism diagnosis and wonder “ how do I do this”? The compilation of interviews gives a wide range of experiences and loads of great advice. I can see this becoming the go-to resource for parents of autistic children.
This book has been eye-opening for me. As an outsider, I had little conceptualization of what autism is and what raising an autistic child entails. Now, I feel much better equipped to show openness and understanding, and offer support to a parent going through this type of journey, not to mention being more understanding of children who show these “difficult” traits. I have also come to realize how cruel some of my judgements of my grandmother may have been and I am grateful Swift has compiled this book, allowing more people to become more tolerant of the behaviors exhibited by children on the autism spectrum.
I also feel this book is a wonderful resource for parents who are starting out their journey with an autism diagnosis and wonder “ how do I do this”? The compilation of interviews gives a wide range of experiences and loads of great advice. I can see this becoming the go-to resource for parents of autistic children.
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August 22, 2020I love this book because it is written by an author who has experienced everything that other parents with special needs children experience. It is a book that touches anyone who knows a parent with a special needs child. My nephew is a special needs child but his parents have shown so much love and resilience in the face of difficulties. I can really relate to the stories and my heart goes out to the people who have shared honestly their struggles and their triumphs. I am sure that many readers will be encouraged by this book that they are not in this journey alone and maybe that will give them the courage to reach out and ask for help or prayers when needed and not feel ashamed of their struggles. Well done Meredith for another great book.
February 25, 2026
How Do I Do This? The Real and Raw Truth About Raising a Child with Special Needs by Meredith Swift is a heartfelt and deeply encouraging collection of real-life experiences from parents walking the special needs journey. As a book explorer, I was moved by the honesty woven through each interview stories that do not shy away from fear, exhaustion, and grief, yet shine brightly with resilience, love, and hope.
I recommend this book to parents, caregivers, and anyone seeking understanding and encouragement in the world of special needs. It’s a compassionate and reassuring read that reminds families they are not alone and that even in the hardest moments, strength and community can light the way forward.
I recommend this book to parents, caregivers, and anyone seeking understanding and encouragement in the world of special needs. It’s a compassionate and reassuring read that reminds families they are not alone and that even in the hardest moments, strength and community can light the way forward.
October 28, 2020
This book is a blessing. I had one child with learning disablities, ADHD and a few other things. If I had read this book back then it would have been extremely helpful. That being said, I recommend that any parent who has children with special needs-read this book. It has great resources and heartfelt stories and insight from other parents who have gone through what you might be going through now.
September 30, 2020
What a special book!
This was such an informative book! What a great way of helping people sort out their own experience, by using different examples. There is such support in this book too. You never have to be alone with your struggle!
This was such an informative book! What a great way of helping people sort out their own experience, by using different examples. There is such support in this book too. You never have to be alone with your struggle!
January 23, 2021
You are not alone
How comforting to know you are not alone in your struggles-even if this may sound selfish, it is the bare truth. This book is an extended hand to those who struggle with the immensely difficult task of caring after the loved ones with special needs. It gives comfort, hope, and courage. It gives advice from those occupying the same position. It gives unity and a feeling of moving on with determination, dignity, and renewed strength.
How comforting to know you are not alone in your struggles-even if this may sound selfish, it is the bare truth. This book is an extended hand to those who struggle with the immensely difficult task of caring after the loved ones with special needs. It gives comfort, hope, and courage. It gives advice from those occupying the same position. It gives unity and a feeling of moving on with determination, dignity, and renewed strength.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews