Finished 9-18-16-16, rating 4.5/5, autism, 243 pages, pub. 2010

Children with High-Functioning Autism:A Parent’s Guide by Claire E. Hughes-Lynch has been on my shelves for a few years and that’s too bad because it would have been more helpful earlier in my autism journey.  There are so many books and so much information on the internet about autism that when you first start looking it is completely overwhelming.  And all the information tells you that time is of the essence when treating children on the spectrum, so hurry, hurry, hurry.  The author was a professor of special education before her daughter was born so clearly she had a good, solid foundation, but even she was overcome with too much information when she experienced it from a mother’s side.  So many truths in this book.  She is also very evenhanded in her research.  I appreciated that Hughes-Lynch could share both things she agreed with and things she wasn’t sure about, knowing that what is true and works for one family doesn’t for another. It’s up to the parents to weed through the information and make their own decisions.

What’s it about – She talks about autism from suspecting your child has it, through the new vocabulary and therapies to hopefully coming out the other side in a good place.  It’s a primer, of sorts, laid out in a way that would be useful for newbies.  She shares her own story throughout and provides understanding and hope.

What did I learn – Okay, I’ve been at this almost four years, so much of it wasn’t new ground,  but I did learn a little more about sensory processing disorder. There are a few aspects that I always struggle with understanding and she gave me new insight.

Who would like this – Any parent or family member who has recently had a child diagnosed on the autism spectrum.  As a matter of fact, I’m willing to mail this to the first person who leaves a comment with an email address.  Information is your friend.

I Dare Me. Finished 9-22-16, rating 4.5/5, non-fiction, 220 pages, pub. 2013

Veteran journalist and cancer survivor Lu Ann Cahn was feeling angry and frustrated. The economy was tanking. Her job was changing. In a word, she felt “stuck.”

Something had to change. Her daughter helped convince her to start a “Year of Firsts.” For the next 365 days, Cahn made a point of doing something she had never done before, every day. Before she knew it, her whole perspective on life had changed. In this inspiring book, Lu Ann recounts how a new “first” everyday brought excitement and wonder back into her world. And more than that, she helps readers see how they can do it too.

• Participate in a Polar Bear Plunge
• Speak to a complete stranger on the street
• Zip-line across a crocodile-infested Mexican lake
• Spend a day in a wheelchair
• Learn to Hula Hoop                  from Goodreads

I Dare Me by Luann Cahn was the perfect choice for the early morning plane ride   This woman did something new EVERYDAY for a year and documented it.  One of the earlier chapters was about the things she’d done to conquer her fears and she mentioned flying. I found the book inspirational.

Her point, “You don’t have to run away from home to change your life” is one that resonated with me. In a way it relates to the 30 day challenges that Jason and I are doing this year (if you haven’t been keeping up with the other blog, I wrote a book last month!).  I might even make one of the months a Something New Everyday month, we’ll see.

Because she was a reporter she did have access to many firsts in her daily life that many of us would not, so it that aspect it might have been easier for her to find exciting things, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t all have things we haven’t done, big and small.  A few of her smaller ones (and she lists all 365) are drinking a Red Bull, learn to put on fake eyelashes, and eats desserts all day (she doesn’t recommend this one!).  Her list is just a starting point for inspiration.

Read this book, follow me in my 30 Day Challenges –  let’s live an inspired 2017!