E-Book Overview
Intimate, bold and inspiring, Autism Heroes provides a compelling and sensitive account of the experiences of 38 families from different walks of life confronting the challenges of autism with courage, tenacity and love. With empathy and expertise gained from her three decades of leadership of The Help Group and her commitment to children with special needs, Dr. Barbara Firestone engages the families in candid, powerful and deeply affecting conversations about their lives. Each family narrative is set against the backdrop of her insightful essays about dignity, hope, opportunity and love, which are fundamentally important to all families living with autism.The families offer their experiences openly and honestly, sharing their challenges, triumphs and hopes. Their candor helps demystify and destigmatize autism and embraces other parents just beginning or already on the journey. Their reflections chart the course through the many stages of coping with autism and seeking solutions for their children, and they offer a lifeline of support, insight, encouragement and hope.Fully illustrated with stunning photographs by Joe Buissink, Autism Heroes is an invaluable resource for families as well as educators, clinicians, researchers and policy makers.
E-Book Content
“While scientists struggle to understand the biological bases of autism to create preventions, treatments and cures, Dr. Firestone and her colleagues at The Help Group bring hope and help to families today. Autism Heroes sensitively tells the stories of courageous families that live with autism. It will bring guidance and support to other parents and inspiration to clinicians and scientists.” David G. Amaral, PhD, Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Director of Research, The M.I.N.D. Institute at the University of California, Davis “I greatly admire Dr. Barbara Firestone’s lifetime dedication, leadership and commitment to helping young people with special needs. She shares her experience and insight in this wonderful book in a way that not only raises awareness and understanding about autism but is profoundly impactful.” Representative Howard L. Berman, US Congress “In Autism Heroes, Barbara Firestone shines a light on the heroic families who are building hopeful futures for their children, and Joe Buissink’s images enable us to meet them firsthand. This invaluable book motivates us to vigorously continue our work on behalf of all families living with autism.” John L. Burton, President pro Tem of the California State Senate (Ret.), Founder, John Burton Foundation “Autism Heroes is a gift to the autism community. Raising a child with autism has never been easy, but it just got easier, thanks to Barbara Firestone’s wisdom and compassion, Joe Buissink’s sensitive images, and the courageous families willing to share their most intimate stories with her. Pediatricians can now say to families coping with a new diagnosis, have I got a book for you!” Eileen Costello, MD, Pediatrician, co-author of Quirky Kids: Understanding and Helping Your Child Who Doesn’t Fit In “In Autism Heroes Dr. Firestone’s commentary and intimate conversations with parents facing the challenges of autism, and
Joe Buissink’s images, are insightful and deeply affecting. This hopeful book is a must read for families, teachers and clinicians. In its pages you will meet true heroes.” David T. Feinberg, MD, MBA, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CEO, UCLA Hospital System “Autism Heroes is a passionate and brilliant compilation of stories and photographs that portray both the challenges and joys of living with children who have autism. Dr. Firestone captures the enormity and range of experiences that parents face as well as the new frontiers of hope. Inspirational, provocative and painstakingly honest, Autism Her