“Autism Every Day: Over 150 Strategies Lived and Learned by an Autism Consultant and Mom” is a collection of writings by Alyson Beytien, M.S., chronicling her years of raising three boys on the autism spectrum. This collection of stories is, by turn, funny, touching, and for me, a little infuriating. Ok, so I’m supersensitive to any dissing of biomedical practices, and in this book, those treatments are not exactly dissed, but they are downplayed.
That’s ok, though, autism is a tricky business and what works for one family might not work for another.* Beytien does, however, end each chapter with handy tips from the lessons she’s learned, such as “Strategies for Dealing with Echolalia” and ”Strategies for Managing the IEP.” I was disheartened to see that ”Strategies for Choosing Interventions” listed only six, with biomedical nowhere to be found, nor dozens of therapies that I have seen and used. Bit of a gyp there, if you ask me.
Perhaps I’m being too sensitive. After all, we write best when we write what we know, particularly if you are constructing helpful advice out of your own life experiences. And Beytien is a good writer, very few are talented enough to have me in stitches the way she does in the chapter, “On Any Given Day: Challenging Behavior,” describing a day where everything went wrong, and involving a dog, a branch of thorns, and a flood, a day I’m sure you’ll recognize!
While I certainly did not agree with all of them, many of the tips are useful and I’d give this book a solid B+, a handy one to have in your autism book toolbox if you need some inspiration and a good laugh.
Interested in this book? Future Horizons is giving Mom-Blog readers a special 15% discount if you use the coupon code “MOMBLOG” when purchasing any of their products, so if your school needs some handy guides, check out this book and the original! You can order “Autism Every Day” at this link, then enter the code. Note: I received a review copy of this book for free, but all opinions are my own. I am an affiliate of Future Horizons and receive a small amount of compensation for any sales made using the promotional code provided. You can use the code MOMBLOG when ordering books or other materials – or even conference registrations – to receive 15% off plus free shipping in the continental US.
*I am of the firm belief that practicing biomed and extreme health measures is good for every child’s improved behavior, particular disabled children. That said, the biomedical diet is difficult, time consuming and can be costly. It breaks my heart to say it cannot be accommodated by every one, but that’s reality.
