Autism isn't a deadly disease. However, in some ways it is like a death sentence for many parents. It marks the end of certain dreams and expectations. It marks the end of life as you know it. For me, knowing that my child has autism just means that the days of trying to find answers for a diagnosis are over. It means that I no longer have to listen to teachers and others tell me that my child is just "strong-willed" or "spoiled". Knowing that my child has autism means the end to rationalizing why my child may behave differently than other kids. It also means that I need to be patient. Asperger's is not so bad, right? Doesn't Bill Gates have it? He turned out okay. Instead of focusing on what my child may not be able to do right now, I will focus on his strengths. I will help him develop those talents I know he has. It is up to me as his mother to push him whenever possible. There will be times when I'm sure we'll want to give up, but we must not. I'm so thankful for the strong support group I have. My mother, my husband, and friends are there for me. I can pick up the phone and I know they won't judge. They truly understand.
Autism doesn't define your child. It is an extension of who they are. Having autism is like having brown hair. Are all brown haired individuals smart? Are all brown haired individuals good at math? Of course not! Get to know your child. They are counting on you to be their advocate and voice. Many of these children cannot speak for themselves. That is the biggest role you have as their parent.
My wish for the future is that the stigma of diagnosis will go away! It doesn't matter anymore! I wish parents would just do what is best for their children. There are also many parents who suffer from mental illness that need help. You cannot help your child unless YOU get help. Going to a psychiatrist or therapist does not make you weak. It gives you the tools you desperately need to be the best parent you can be. Don't ever feel like you've given up.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
My Muse and Project
My life motto has always been: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. That is what I have been trying to do for the past fifteen years. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband who supports me and loves me unconditionally. I have four beautiful children who I adore. Those are the things I hold on to during times of trials in my life.
..............
The following is the link to my latest project. It is the result of a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. I'm very proud of this book and I hope that it brings hope and encouragement to everyone who reads it. The book is finally listed on Amazon and you can copy and paste the following link to see it: http://www.amazon.com/The-A-List-Yahnira-Backus/dp/1460912071/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340587290&sr=1-8&keywords=The+%22A%22+List
Brief synopsis: The story takes place in the future where autism has reached epidemic proportions. Autism is renamed ASP to include the broad spectrum of disorders associated with the newly discovered gene mutation. The main character, Sarah, is a beautiful young lady who has graduated from a research facility, called the GRF, where young infants are raised and nurtured under a very controlled environment. Parents have to make the difficult choice of either raising these children on their own or giving them up to the GRF. The reader will experience Sarah's journey as she leaves her familiar home, meets her biological family, and begins a new life full of new experiences. She will ultimately discover that there is much more to the GRF than she realized. Finding love and working for the government on a secret mission will only be the beginning of her new life. This story will touch your heart and give you hope and encouragement as to the future of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
................
Writing this novel was very therapeutic for me. I was able to use my life experiences as well as the experiences of the many children and young adults I have met over the years. My goal was to capture the thinking process of these unique individuals. I wanted to give the reader a unique perspective into the mind, talents, and challenges they face. Often times I see the reactions and comments made by individuals who just don't understand. They think that autism means "Rainman"...an individual who is a genius at one thing and who otherwise cannot interact with the world around him. That is not always the case. The spectrum is so broad that they are currently changing the guidelines for diagnosis and the labels placed on these people. There is no "one-size fits all" approach when it comes to diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. After reading my book, I hope people take the main message I want to convey. That is: although there is no cure for autism, that doesn't mean there is no hope.
..............
The following is the link to my latest project. It is the result of a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. I'm very proud of this book and I hope that it brings hope and encouragement to everyone who reads it. The book is finally listed on Amazon and you can copy and paste the following link to see it: http://www.amazon.com/The-A-List-Yahnira-Backus/dp/1460912071/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340587290&sr=1-8&keywords=The+%22A%22+List
Brief synopsis: The story takes place in the future where autism has reached epidemic proportions. Autism is renamed ASP to include the broad spectrum of disorders associated with the newly discovered gene mutation. The main character, Sarah, is a beautiful young lady who has graduated from a research facility, called the GRF, where young infants are raised and nurtured under a very controlled environment. Parents have to make the difficult choice of either raising these children on their own or giving them up to the GRF. The reader will experience Sarah's journey as she leaves her familiar home, meets her biological family, and begins a new life full of new experiences. She will ultimately discover that there is much more to the GRF than she realized. Finding love and working for the government on a secret mission will only be the beginning of her new life. This story will touch your heart and give you hope and encouragement as to the future of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
................
Writing this novel was very therapeutic for me. I was able to use my life experiences as well as the experiences of the many children and young adults I have met over the years. My goal was to capture the thinking process of these unique individuals. I wanted to give the reader a unique perspective into the mind, talents, and challenges they face. Often times I see the reactions and comments made by individuals who just don't understand. They think that autism means "Rainman"...an individual who is a genius at one thing and who otherwise cannot interact with the world around him. That is not always the case. The spectrum is so broad that they are currently changing the guidelines for diagnosis and the labels placed on these people. There is no "one-size fits all" approach when it comes to diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. After reading my book, I hope people take the main message I want to convey. That is: although there is no cure for autism, that doesn't mean there is no hope.
The "A" List
When life gives me lemons, I like to make lemonade. That is why I chose to write my very first novel entitled: The "A" List. It is now available on Amazon and I am so excited! The following is the link to the book and information (copy and paste): http://www.amazon.com/The-A-List-Yahnira-Backus/dp/1460912071/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340587290&sr=1-8&keywords=The+%22A%22+List
The story takes place in the future where autism has reached epidemic proportions. The name is changed to ASP and includes all the autism spectrum including ADHD and other diagnosis used today. The main character, Sarah, is a young lady who has graduated from a research facility called the GRF where babies are raised and nurtured in hopes they can reach their full potential. In this world, parents have to make the very difficult choice of either raising their child or giving it up to the GRF in hopes they can have a future.
The reader follows Sarah as she leaves her safe and nurturing environment and begins her life in the real world. Falling in love, working at her first assignment, and being an advocate for millions of people in the world are among some of the challenges she will have to face.
If you like romance, suspence, and long for a story full of hope and encouragment then I totally recommend this book! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it.
The story takes place in the future where autism has reached epidemic proportions. The name is changed to ASP and includes all the autism spectrum including ADHD and other diagnosis used today. The main character, Sarah, is a young lady who has graduated from a research facility called the GRF where babies are raised and nurtured in hopes they can reach their full potential. In this world, parents have to make the very difficult choice of either raising their child or giving it up to the GRF in hopes they can have a future.
The reader follows Sarah as she leaves her safe and nurturing environment and begins her life in the real world. Falling in love, working at her first assignment, and being an advocate for millions of people in the world are among some of the challenges she will have to face.
If you like romance, suspence, and long for a story full of hope and encouragment then I totally recommend this book! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it.
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