Special Needs Book Awards- Autism Related Disorders Category by the American Studies Association! Becoming a parent is life altering in itself, yet for a select few parents gifted in raising a special needs child, life is abruptly turned upside down as they discover that their precious child has been diagnosed with a life changing condition. In the unique true story of Loving the Soul Beneath the Autism, one family’s heartfelt account is revealed through honest confessions and helpful strategies that provide insight for a parent, grandparent, friend, and others into the interior feelings and external experiences with which special needs families struggle every day. You will be guided through the early life stages of one family’s child, beginning in utero and culminating with his entrance into school at the age of five. Their life was not easy, at times downright exhausting, frustrating, and trying, yet the perseverance of denying oneself to fully assist in raising another human soul becomes the most rewarding experience of all. This book will leave your heartstrings stretched. You will ride the waves of one seemingly typical family in today’s society as they discover that their first-born child is not the easy bundle of joy they imagined. Despite negativity and the preconceived ideas of others, they learn to pull their lives out of a downward spiral for the betterment of their special child. May you be led to step out of your own comfort zone and truly put yourself in another’s shoes in order to rise above the world’s view of these children as a burden to society, while, at the same time, desire to assist others parents to never feel alone or looked down upon for their unique mission. Within these pages you will be led to realize that those with special needs, the elderly, and the smallest of all humans are not a burden to society but an amazing and important gift to each of us during every moment of their natural life! Are you ready to accept a request to grow with acceptance, hope, love, understanding, and peace for the millions of families attempting to guide a child diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and like conditions to function in the overstimulating world in which we are living today? Can you elevate yourself to a higher calling in life where you accept and are open to denying yourself for the help of another? Are you ready to abandon your own selfishness for a special needs individual who is not defined by their diagnosis but by the soul buried beneath the surface of their skin? This book will answer numerous questions such as: How to help a children regain a healthy sleeping pattern? How a consistent schedule helps provides security to the child? How to help extend short attention spans? How siblings can teach much needed life lessons? How to relay the diagnosis to extended family members? How to navigate throughout special needs services? How to become an advocate for your child? How to abandon selfishness for a child? What it truly means to love another? …. and many more!

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