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Marching to a Different Beat: A family's journey with autism
The poignant, sometimes funny, but ultimately inspirational story that spans twenty years in a family with four, unique, individual boys, not just one child with autism, but four. It shows that with enough determination, a parent's love can win through and transform their children's lives.
Each chapter begins with a real life quote or excerpt which sets the tone of the chapter from either a specialist's report or a quote from one of the boys themselves or a personal quote from the author. There are some samples too within the chapters from specialists' reports as factual evidence so that it does not all read as my own thoughts and adds some weight to the story.
We are not unique in having children with autism but our story differs from many families in the fact that all four are diagnosed with the classic, non verbal type of autism previously known as childhood autism.
There are many recurrent themes within the book, the lack of support available to children with autism, the lack of support for the parents of those children and the lack of awareness and understanding from those who do not live with autism on a daily basis themselves. There are also themes around the positive support and respect for our family which appears in unexpected places, the strength of the boys doing their utmost to show us their true selves and their abilities, the immense ability for change and growth. Above all, our immeasurable love for our children is foremost.
Each chapter begins with a real life quote or excerpt which sets the tone of the chapter from either a specialist's report or a quote from one of the boys themselves or a personal quote from the author. There are some samples too within the chapters from specialists' reports as factual evidence so that it does not all read as my own thoughts and adds some weight to the story.
We are not unique in having children with autism but our story differs from many families in the fact that all four are diagnosed with the classic, non verbal type of autism previously known as childhood autism.
There are many recurrent themes within the book, the lack of support available to children with autism, the lack of support for the parents of those children and the lack of awareness and understanding from those who do not live with autism on a daily basis themselves. There are also themes around the positive support and respect for our family which appears in unexpected places, the strength of the boys doing their utmost to show us their true selves and their abilities, the immense ability for change and growth. Above all, our immeasurable love for our children is foremost.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 5, 2022
29 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 6, 2025
Sarah Ziegel is an amazing person and mother. She has continually fought for her four boys, all diagnosed with autism, to have the necessary education and ABA programs (in London) so that they can learn and develop.
Her raw, poignant memoir describes life in their household as well as what happens when they venture out to the grocery store, parks, beaches, and relatives' homes. Sadly, several grandparents are unsure how to bond with their grandchildren and end up staying away.
Her raw, poignant memoir describes life in their household as well as what happens when they venture out to the grocery store, parks, beaches, and relatives' homes. Sadly, several grandparents are unsure how to bond with their grandchildren and end up staying away.
November 4, 2025
A must read for anyone who has autistic children within their wider family. It gives an understanding of the challenges they and their parents face.
June 10, 2023
I could tell that this book was written from the heart, with honesty and transparency!
Sarah and Jonathan Ziegel have raised, and still raising, four boys with autism, and their story will amaze anyone on how much they had to fight for their boys and their much needed education - and this is alongside raising the boys on a day-to-day basis! Their perseverance, patience and tenacity is astounding!
These boys have been surrounded with love and patience, and any parent raising a child with a disability can find hope and encouragement through this story.
I highly recommend it to anyone as it not only gives hope, but it will help people understand what autism is and teach people to accept and include people with any disability, whether visible or invisible!
Thank you for sharing your story with us! ❤️
Sarah and Jonathan Ziegel have raised, and still raising, four boys with autism, and their story will amaze anyone on how much they had to fight for their boys and their much needed education - and this is alongside raising the boys on a day-to-day basis! Their perseverance, patience and tenacity is astounding!
These boys have been surrounded with love and patience, and any parent raising a child with a disability can find hope and encouragement through this story.
I highly recommend it to anyone as it not only gives hope, but it will help people understand what autism is and teach people to accept and include people with any disability, whether visible or invisible!
Thank you for sharing your story with us! ❤️
January 20, 2024
Heartfelt and inspirational read
I found the author's openness and willingness to share her family's experience and journey with autism to be truly inspirational. Whilst not a fan of Aba therapy, her belief and commitment to a method which has clearly worked for her boys is both informative and mind opening. Their progress and achievements demonstrate that with the right support and determination, great things can be achieved. The phrase 'assume competence' which frequently comes up where verbal communication is non existent in autism, supports the fact that just because a person cannot talk or communicate via neurotypical methods, does not mean they don't understand or are not learning. It's finding the best way forward for that individual which is most important. A story of great success; heartwarming, at times heartbreaking, but also an educational and most informative read for anyone experiencing autism or supporting an autistic individual.
I found the author's openness and willingness to share her family's experience and journey with autism to be truly inspirational. Whilst not a fan of Aba therapy, her belief and commitment to a method which has clearly worked for her boys is both informative and mind opening. Their progress and achievements demonstrate that with the right support and determination, great things can be achieved. The phrase 'assume competence' which frequently comes up where verbal communication is non existent in autism, supports the fact that just because a person cannot talk or communicate via neurotypical methods, does not mean they don't understand or are not learning. It's finding the best way forward for that individual which is most important. A story of great success; heartwarming, at times heartbreaking, but also an educational and most informative read for anyone experiencing autism or supporting an autistic individual.
February 15, 2023
Sarah & Martin Ziegel are wonderful parents who have always put their sons needs above all else. Their perseverance, resilience, tenacity and determination to do what they believed to be in the best interests of their sons is inspiring. This is a story that is heartbreaking in parts when reading about their struggles both with local authorities, schools and their emotional struggles with the boys diagnoses. The one constant that binds the story together is their selfless love for their boys.
July 30, 2022
Inspiring and thought provoking
This is an enjoyable read. It’s insightful and funny and deeply thought provoking. The system has badly let this family, and surely many others down. I’m astounded that long term costs are not considered when local authorities fight to save money in the short term by not providing the best educational options available - it feels counter intuitive.
This is an enjoyable read. It’s insightful and funny and deeply thought provoking. The system has badly let this family, and surely many others down. I’m astounded that long term costs are not considered when local authorities fight to save money in the short term by not providing the best educational options available - it feels counter intuitive.
December 13, 2023
On the negative, I don't know how she has done it all with 4 boys with autism. Its hard work with the 1. Anger in places but that is down to the fact that we are still having the same fight in 2023 that this lady had back in 2001! Nothing has changed. It is a lonely life but Sarah had done so well and inspires.
August 27, 2023
I loved every second of this read! As a mother of an autistic son who is still quite young, this gave me so much faith for my boy. Thank you for sharing this story! Bless this family.
October 28, 2023
A must read for anyone with autistic people in their lives. A beautifully honest, real and empathetic account of real life and the ever enduring love of parents. Would recommend to all.
December 18, 2023
An amazing and sometimes heartbreaking book
December 28, 2023
Fascinating and Informative!
A real life understanding of the challenges of autism in life and all aspects of life in a family with an autistic child.
A real life understanding of the challenges of autism in life and all aspects of life in a family with an autistic child.
May 3, 2024
What an amazing couple
This book was amazing to read I couldn't put it down you Sarah and your husband are an amazing couple
This book was amazing to read I couldn't put it down you Sarah and your husband are an amazing couple
October 2, 2025
OMG this book is so good and so sad .😂
October 21, 2025
An interesting memoir of a woman who has raised four sons with severe autism, detailing their trials and triumphs as they reach adulthood,
August 6, 2023
Excellent book. This gives a real insight into what it’s like to live with Autism. She is an amazing lady who is determined to cope with whatever life throws up.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews