Making Peace with Autism: One Family's Story of Struggle, Discovery, and Unexpected Gifts

Receiving a diagnosis of autism is a major crisis for parents and families, who often feel as if their world has come to an end. In this insightful narrative, a courageous and inspiring mother explains why a diagnosis of autism doesn't have to shatter a family's dreams of happiness. Senator offers the hard-won, in-the-trenches wisdom of someone who's been there and is still there today—and she demonstrates how families can find courage, contentment, and connection in the shadow of autism.

In Making Peace with Autism, Susan Senator describes her own journey raising a child with a severe autism spectrum disorder, along with two other typically developing boys. Without offering a miracle treatment or cure, Senator offers valuable strategies for coping successfully with the daily struggles of life with an autistic child.

Along the way she models the combination of stamina and courage, openness, and humor that has helped her family to survive—and even to thrive. Topics include: the agony of diagnosis, grieving and acceptance, finding the right school program, helping siblings with their struggles and concerns, having fun together, and keeping the marriage strong.

Over the past decade there has been an alarming rise in the rate of autism. While the severity of this disorder varies from child to child, many autistic children have lifelong difficulties connecting with others, using language, and learning. In this engaging and valuable memoir, Susan Senator describes her own journey raising a child with severe autism, along with two other typically developing boys. Unlike other books that focus on the search for miracle cures, Senator show us how she has been able to love and accept her autistic son as he is--and how she and her family have been able to find courage, contentment, and connection in the shadow of autism.

Throughout this engaging narrative, Senator distills valuable insights and advice from her own experience, focusing on key topics such as: grieving and acceptance, finding the right school program, helping siblings with their struggles and concerns, having fun as a family, and keeping the marriage strong.

"Families will gain much insight into how one family successfully coped with the challenges of raising an autistic child. Mothers, fathers, and siblings should read this honest account of family life with autism."--Temple Grandin, Ph.D., author of "Thinking in Pictures and "Emergence: Labeled Autistic

"Senator's story reminds us that while there are currently no medical treatments or cures for autism, we must maintain hope."--Karen London, cofounder, the National Alliance for Autism Research

"Senator's common sense approach and courageous journey give readers a practical and entertaining experience."--Doug and Laurie Flutie, cofounders of the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, Inc.

Susan Senator is the mother of three boys, the oldest of whom has autism. She is the author of Making Peace with Autism, a memoir of her family’s struggles and triumphs. Her writing on autism has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Boston Globe. She has been featured on the Today Show, CNN, MSNBC, Voice of America, and NPR.