Ann Boushéy's teenage son Jon was diagnosed with high-functioning autism in kindergarten. Having mastered the day-to-day challenges that parenting a young child with autism or Asperger's Syndrome pose, Talking Teenagers considers questions surrounding parenting across the spectrum during the teenage years.Written out of her own experience, this inspirational book provides the information that will encourage other parents with teens on the autism spectrum. Covering everyday topics, from what to take on vacation and dealing with anger, to sex education and planning for the parents' own demise, Ann ends each chapter with thoughtful vignettes: Chicken Nuggets for the Soul.After reading this book, parents will come away with a sense of empowerment and feeling that they are not alone, while professionals will gain a valuable and compassionate insight into the world of parenting a teenager on the autism spectrum
Introduction.; 1. A Parent's Heartache - Ever Present. Chicken Nugget No. 1. HFA or ASA, What's the Diff?; 2. What Do I Tell People about Autism? Chicken Nugget No. 2. Dealing with the Good Intentions of Others.; 3. IEPs and those Elusive Goals. Chicken Nugget No. 3. Autism and Gray.; 4. Charting Growth. Chicken Nugget No. 4. Living with Fear!; 5. Understanding Jon's Way of Understanding - Lost in Translation is not just a Title of a Movie. Chicken Nugget No. 5. Sometimes it's All Greek to Me!; 6. What to Take on Vacation. Chicken Nugget No. 6. On Perseveration? - Stop Beating that Dead Horse!; 7. What about Anger? Just because Your Child has a Disability, doesn't make You a Floor Mat. Chicken Nugget No. 7. I Love You, but We are not Connected at the Hip!; 8. Straight Talk for Parents - We Must be Like the Energizer Bunny, We Must Keep Going and Going...and... Chicken Nugget No. 8. Birthday Parties - So Simple, Yet So Impossible.; 9. An Interview with the School Counselor. Chicken Nugget No. 9. Is there a Lesson in these Socks?; 10. A Bully by any Other Name is still a Bully. Chicken Nugget No. 10. Parents and Sanity - 101.; 11. An Interview with an Autism Expert - Dr. B.J. Freeman. Chicken Nugget No. 11. Literally Speaking.; 12. Choosing Your Battles. Chicken Nugget No. 12. Get Off My Back! Please.; 13. An Interview with a Parent Expert - Emily Pearl Kingsley. Chicken Nugget No. 13. Stopping to Note the Successes.; 14. Planning for Our Own Demise - An Interview with an Attorney. Chicken Nugget No. 14. Changing My View.; 15. Resources Re-Mix. Chicken Nugget No. 15. We Must See Differently!; 16. Explaining Differences to Our Teens. Chicken Nugget No. 16. Thoughts on Normal.; 17. A Case for Empathy. Chicken Nugget No. 17. But Do I Have to Fix Him?; 18. The S-e-x Word Meets the A-u-t-i-s-m Word. Chicken Nugget No. 18. Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop...; 19. Charting Behaviours. Chicken Nugget No. 19. Three Steps Forward, One Step Back - Not the Latest Dance Craze.; 20. Family Members and Autism - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Chicken Nugget No. 20. Finding Hope at the Library.; 21. Autism and Religion. Chicken Nugget No. 21. Angels by My Side.; 22. Shadow Dancing. Chicken Nugget No. 22. Serendipity - The Sauce for Those Nuggets. Epilogue. Index.
This book gives a wealth of insight to the reader.
