Thanks to my autism heroes!
by Patricia
I am celebrating my 30th professional year of providing services and supports to individuals with autism, and when I reflect on the past three decades I realize that one of the things that motivates me most to stay engaged promoting autism services and supports is listening to stories from the experts in the field: individuals with autism and their families.
I learn best when working right in the same room with individuals with autism, but when I’m home alone writing or working on research, or when I can’t be out in the field, I feel fortunate to have a great book on my shelf I can pull out for inspiration, too. Autism Heroes contains 38 phenomenal family stories about living with autism. One of the stories is written by the famous actor Joe Mantegna, and he and the other 37 authors all write with a tenor of encouragement to the reader. The book is organized into four sections:
- Dignity
- Hope
- Opportunity
- Love
The essays are honest and insightful, providing a pure view into the life experiences of these families who live with autism. The book contains incredible photographs, too, and the pictures provide readers with a wonderful visual connection to the essays.
Reading the essays of the 38 families willing to share their stories in Autism Heroes provides inspiration for my continued work in the field. Seeing the smiles in the photos and reading the anecdotes — funny at times, heart-breaking at others — reinforces my commitment and understanding that working with individuals with autism is a privilege.