Life as a Spectrum Mom: The Ups, Downs, and Upside Downs of Parenting Autistic Kids (The Spectrum Mom Book 1) by Karen Pellett Narrator: Sara K Sheckells
Series: The Spectrum Mom #1
on 07-20-17
Genres: Non-Fiction, Parenting
Length: 3 hrs and 22 mins
Format: Audiobook
Source: Author
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Overal Rating:
From candy explosions and safety spaces to patience pills and mattress slides, Autism turns normal on its head and stomps on it for good measure. For this family and their three autistic children, life is chaotic but glorious. Experience everyday life from the perspective of a spectrum mom and defy the label as only an exceptional family can.
This book tells the experience of a mum of three children with special needs, each one within a different part of the spectrum: ADHD, Autism, and Asperger Syndrome. This is not a how-to nor a guide about how to cope with kids with these issues. As Karen Pellet explains, each case is different from the others, so what helps with one does not necessarily have to help with others.
The book is a collection of anecdotes propitiated by this singular family, but what Pellet wants to transmit is that everything is possible, even in the most difficult of situations. The key factors are: being able to count with great professionals to get a correct diagnose, having people around to assist in case of need, and having a positive frame of mind.
The stories are endearing, but I noticed some repetitions. Some of them could perfectly happen within a ‘regular’ family, but I understand that these situations just get multiplied here.
I know food is a complicated subject when dealing with these situations, since I have a nephew with autism, but I have also read reports where it is mentioned that trying to eat healthy helps with some of the symptoms related to these conditions, as well as with the parent’s problems. Karen suffers from migraines and her husband has fibromyalgia. I have my own load of autoimmune diseases and the fatigue, mental fog, and migraines have improved with a diet change.
I want also to mention that the plural for octopus is octopuses, not octopi, since the -i termination designing plural is just for Latin words, and octopus derives from Greek.
Sarah K. Sheckells got in Karen’s shoes and delivered a heartfelt speech like if she were telling her own story. Her diction is clear and she transmitted well. What I noticed where changes in the audio edits between paragraphs, which was a bit distracting.
I would absolutely recommend this book to any parent of a special child or to anyone who would like to get a better understanding about how life under these conditions.
I received a copy of this book in audio format from the author in exchange for an honest review.| Story (Plot) |
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My name is Elena. Since I was a little child I loved science fiction and fantasy, and I can’t resist a good novel. In 2015, while wait I started to listen to audiobooks and I discovered the pleasure in being able to read while doing my daily tasks, so there’s always an audiobook playing on my phone. If you see me with my Bluetooth headphones on, please be gentle, I get easily startled.
I live with my boyfriend, which I met during my six-year stay in Belgium, four cockatiels, eight lovebirds, and a hamster in Madrid, Spain; and I like to spend my free time knitting and sewing while listening to audiobooks.
