EDUCATING AND OBSESSION

When Michael was diagnosed, I had to force myself to read about it. It was depressing and I was hanging on to the chance that it just was not true and that someone would tell me it was a misdiagnosis. Eventually, I accepted that I was kidding myself and that I needed to live in the reality of the situation. Once I did that, the obsession began. I wondered just how much time I could spend on my lap-top before it would burn itself out. I spent as much time as I could spare reading, chances are if it was available via the internet, I have read it.

I encourage every parent who has an autistic child to read, read everything you can, some of the information is applicable, some not. I eventually stopped reading all the scientific information as I do not hold a PHD in Chemistry, Biology, Genetics, nor am I a MD. I found myself swimming in a pool of information that I could not apply to day to day functions as a family. I have passed what happened, who is responsible and except this situation as it is and have to move passed it. If not, I will miss even more precious time with Michael. I found that I needed to hear about other families with Autistic children. I wanted to know how other Mothers and Fathers were coping. What were they doing for their children, how were their marriages, how did they manage to get through the day? What were their biggest concerns, their fears, how were their finances? What was their plan?

What I have found is almost nothing. I found a few books, some articles, and a few things in magazines. Why, I wondered? I decided many months ago, that I have something to say about Autism and it applications to families and I want someone to listen.

That is how this book came to be.