Autism's Hidden Blessings: Discovering God's Promises for Autistic Children and Their Families

by Kelly Langston

Does God care about Autism? Kelly Langston knows firsthand the struggles and victories associated with autism--from the time she heard her son's diagnosis and was given little more than a handshake and a brochure to the time she watched her son sing every word in his school musical. Through her experiences--the good and the bad--she discovered a beautiful God does care about autism. Better yet, he has a unique and marvelous purpose for children with autism--a purpose no less than that of any other child. More than an "I've been there too" story, Autism's Hidden Blessings highlights God's blueprint for living a life full of joy and potential despite autism. Inside, you'll Autism doesn't define your child and doesn't limit his or her potential. If you're weary from the everyday battle against autism, join Kelly Langston on a journey to discover and apply the plan God has for your entire family. It's time to reclaim your joy, laughter, and most of all, hope. "Kelly Langston offers a lifeline of faith to every parent who has ever wanted to drop down on the floor and throw a tantrum with a distraught autistic child. There is hope. There is help. There is a light at the end of the dark tunnel you are in right now. With compassion and wisdom, Kelly leads the reader through her family's journey to help Alec. I highly recommend this book to every parent dealing with the confusing maze and emotions of autism." --Glynnis Whitwer, editor of P31 Woman and author of work@home and When Your Child is Hurting

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction, Christian, Religion, Parenting, Psychology, Education

208 pages, Paperback

First published March 9, 2009

Reviews

[MaryKay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this book. This book focuses on nurturing one’s own relationship with Jesus Christ to find assistance with challenges. It discusses autism too, but that almost seems secondary. I enjoyed this book. During the first few chapters, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it. I agreed with most of the principles covered (faith, love, etc) but was hoping for a more personal approach. The first few chapters were more theoretical than I expected. My hope for something more personal was fulfilled started in chapter 5 with the author’s description of her son’s experience with prayer, and I enjoyed everything after that.

[Vivian Herrero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each family's journey with autism is, like each child with autism, a different one. Although at first I tried to identify my journey with the author's, of course it was impossible, because as I said, each one is unique. So I focused on the things I was able to identify with and I ended up reading an uplifting book that reminded me how special my son is, how much he is teaching me, and how the key in my life is to walk this journey under God's divine love and protection.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One quote I love how age states it. ' In God's hands, autism is only another beautiful color in the tapestry of colors for your life and the life of your child. He can take this disorder and weave it,like a vibrant thread, into something of beauty and grace and strength, a magnificent masterpiece of great worth and priceless value. '

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am getting a copy of this book through first reads and am looking forward to reading it as soon as it arrives.

[Rebecca Shangle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autism’s Hidden Blessings by Kelly Langston is one of the most meaningful books I’ve ever read as a parent of a child on the spectrum. I picked it up during my son’s pre-teen years - a time that felt overwhelming, confusing, and at times, isolating - and it became a lifeline. Langston writes with such honesty and compassion that it felt like she was sitting across from me, understanding exactly what I was feeling. She doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of raising a child with autism, but she also doesn’t let those challenges define the story. Instead, she reminds you to look for God’s presence in the middle of the struggle, to see the beauty and purpose that can come from what at first feels so hard.

What I love most about this book is how faith-centered it is without being preachy. Langston gently points parents toward hope, encouraging them to see their child not through the world’s lens of limitations, but through God’s eyes of possibility and love. Reading her words helped me shift my focus from fear and uncertainty to gratitude - gratitude for my son’s unique way of seeing the world and for the lessons God was teaching me through him.

There were nights when I reread certain passages just to remind myself that I wasn’t alone, that there was still light ahead even when things felt heavy. This book helped me see that the very things I once viewed as obstacles could actually be blessings in disguise - opportunities to grow in patience, faith, and unconditional love.

If you’re a parent walking through the complexities of autism, especially during those tough middle years, I can’t recommend Autism’s Hidden Blessings enough. It’s comforting, faith-filled, and full of grace - a reminder that while autism brings challenges, it also brings a deeper understanding of love, strength, and the beauty of seeing life differently.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a TREASURE. It is like how to take autism and turn it into jet fuel for your faith. All of her stories and examples ministered to my soul. I have read so much about autism, but not found many resources that integrate Biblical faith…at first i thought it was too many Bible verses bc I wanted it to focus on autism, but as I read I saw the power and wisdom of it being mostly about God. Love her Spurgeon quotes, too.

[Gordon Saunders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful for caretakers of those on the spectrum. It approaches autism as a disability and concerns how parents and caretakers may deal with it psychologically and spiritually. I have not found it to deal with autism from the perspective of those on the spectrum.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative book. Remember you are never alone and you can still do anything any normal child can do.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book for cheap or free a few years ago. I have a bad habit of buying bargin Kindle books and when I purchased this, I didn't have a child with an Autism diagnosis and no reason to think that I would. Now that our youngest is 5, and that this is very much a part of our story, I appreciate hearing the story of another parent who has walked this road.

However, as much as I liked her story of life with Alec (her son), I also didn't resonate with her whole approach (e.g. she seems to be kinda an antivaxxer, uncritically hopeful in ABA therapy). I appreciate her trust in God's provision for her family.

[Mike Neglia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a real encouragement to me. It consistently re-aligned my heart towards Christ and encouraged me as a father, protector and leader of a child with autism. This book bridged a gap between the two different sorts of books/articles that I tend to read regarding autism; on the one hand I'll read secular and clinical writing on how kids on the A.S.D. spectrum think and react and life skills that we can help them with etc.
And on the other hand I read theological books and articles about suffering and the sovereignty of God and His overarching plan to restore and renew all things.
Both of those types of literature are necessary for me, undoubtedly, but what I was lacking was some solid, optimistic, hope-filled encouragement for this difficult situation that our family is in.
Although I already knew that this was true, reading a simple statement like "God the Father and Christ the Son are not deaf to the cries for help from families dealing with autism" (p46) did me an incredible amount of good.
The chapters are short, ending with scriptures to contemplate at the conclusion of each one. The appendixes at the end are helpful, I especially appreciated appendix C "Straight Talk from a Dad."

The hesitations that I would have with it, is that sometimes it feels a tad bit too optimistic. Not every child will improve. Sometimes life on this earth goes from bad to worse. It seems like this book is lacking a robust theology of suffering. The parents who pick this book up will be looking for hope, yes, but we also need to be bolstered for tragedy. We need to be trained to look to the new heavens and the new earth as the time and place when Jesus will make all things new.

I'd recommend reading this book alongside John Piper's free e-book "Disability and the Sovereign Goodness of God"

[Cherop · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book I "won" in a giveaway. I was delighted as I have a grown up niece with the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It took me a long time to read this book. Initially, I read the first 80 pages, then set the book aside for an inordinately long period of time. I have several excuses for doing so but I think the most appropriate one is that the book did not really speak to me as an extended family support to an autistic adult.

This book would be very good for new parents or beleaguered parent(s) of autistic children; especially if the parent(s) is of the faith family.

The book is well written and liberally sprinkled with loving encouragement to those who feel overwhelmed about the tasks involved in looking after an autistic loved one. The book also has many great scripture verses that give hope and encouragement to the reader.

My experience with an autistic child is much different to the author's experience. One thing we do share is the total reliance upon God to deal with all the stresses and needs inherent in ensuring "our child" was safe and received the nurturing, love and developmental opportunities required.
Almost 30 years ago now there was little available in my small city to help an autistic child grow, learn and develop.

My niece was only able to receive sign language training while the family insisted on oral language training. In the end it was my mother who taught my lovely niece to speak but it took almost 9 years to break through the shell of non-response. Thirty years ahead there is still very little for families where we live. It is a shame,but with God, you can get through the challenges.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by the mother of a child diagnosed as having an autism spectrum disorder, this book is a well written Christian faith based look at finding God's promise every day even while raising a child with disabilities. Filled with the author's personal experiences and many scriptural quotes, the book is directed mainly at parents of children having autism spectrum disorders, but I think Mrs. Langston's thoughts, beliefs and attitude are equally valuable to parents of any special needs child, no matter the disability. All children are a gift, all are blessed in their own ways, and every child, no matter the disabilities, has a purpose.

[Laurel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't really pinpoint why I didn't care for this book, and I don't want to insult the author because I cant imagine anyone having better intentions than hers. I selected this book because of the title, but the book seemed to barely touch on the blessings that come to the caregivers and families. If you use the King James version of the Bible, I recommend having a copy at the ready. She uses at least three translations of the Bible and because none of them were the same I use, there was a lot of confusion.

[Diane Lybbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is one woman's journey through her son's diagnosis of autism. I was expecting a book about autism - its causes, symptoms, issues, etc. Instead (and this is not a bad thing, it's just not what I was expecting) the author draws on her deep Christian faith to claim God's promises for her son (and her family) as they deal with this debilitating condition. I can see how this would be very comforting and encouraging to other families dealing with autism, which I'm sure was the reason for the book. Not what I was expecting, but well written and encouraging in the faith.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Society is always ready to tell us that we're less than who we really are; that we're used, defective; not attractive enough, wealthy enough, or smart enough; too old, too fat, utterly worthless.

God tells us another story, and it's the real one: we are priceless and infinitely valued."

I started reading this book because I was a psych major and autism is interesting... I finished reading the book with a more sincere belief that God has a plan for everyone's life. Really liked the book!

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book for parents and educators of students with Autism. Langston shares her personal experiences and is very inspiring. I have been opening it up to read random pages to use for one of my courses, I just wish there was a back of the book index. Very well written! You will not be disappointed.

[Jasmin Bridges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok I thought this was going to be more of a story about an autistic child. It did have a few things about him but that wasn't the focus. The book is about turning to God during difficult and trying situations. It delivers a good message for any Christian parent or someone who is going through difficult times. It let's you know that God is on your side and that if with HIM all things are possible.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through First Reads--so glad I did! I am so glad to know about this book, especially as a special education teacher. It's an uplifting perspective on raising a child with disabilities and from a mother who has been there.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book would be encouraging to anyone dealing with a child or loved one on the autism spectrum, it seemed very simple and didn't give much information at all about things you might be able to do that would be helpful. It was O.K., but not great.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading a book about a Christian Catholic mom who has the same struggles as I do and turns to God for the strength to deal with them. She has the faith to get her through and know that God loves her child, has plans for her child and will always walk with her child.

[Nadine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is geared more towards parents of Autistic children who are Christians. The Bible verses used in each chapter were a nice compliment to the material presented. Although, I didn't learn any new material myself I did find a new resource to recommend to families.

[Sally]

I won this from the giveaway page! woo hoo! Looking forward to it.

[Darrelyn Kelley]

This looks like a good book. Looking forward to reading it.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real "feel good" book!!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not have a child with autism, but I certainly have a quirky kid and this book resonates on so many levels. Loved it!

[Lori Henrich · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good resource for anyone who has a child with autism.