Parenting Across the Autism Spectrum - Book Report/Review Example

Parenting Across the Autism Spectrum Introduction Parenting is a fundamental practice in the societal setting. It is the primary role of all parents to care and provide for their young ones the best way they can. Even with this in mind, many parents have found themselves cornered by unfortunate events that pertain to parenting. From financial constraints to failed family relationships to parenting disabled children, parents have had to counter enormous parenting challenges with an objective to give their children a better life. On a more specific ground, parenting autistic children is a practice that requires parenting zeal on the side of the parents and societal advocacy on the side of the society. Morrell and Ann (2006), share their insights in parenting autistic children. Their book, Parenting Across the Autism Spectrum: Unexpected Lessons We Have Learned, presents the accounts of the two authors in taking care of and providing for their autistic sons. Notably, the book’s primary focus revolves around equipping parents with the skills they need to effectively and efficiently parent their autistic children. Moreover, the book integrates parent advocacy for autistic children as a strategy parents could use to counter the day to day challenges in raising autistic children. Morrell and Ann’s book is rich in parenting information. This aspect informed the choice behind the book. Most importantly, its well-structured topics that are divided into specific areas of parenthood drew more interest. Sets of parenting skills run throughout the book, thus making it informative to both parents and professionals in the field of autism. The progressive advice throughout the book is based on the authors’ personal experience. This not only makes the book interesting and relevant for parenting, but also allows the reader to associate with a real world disability scenario. The book’s insightful coverage on autism spectrum, parenting, and the underlying lessons encompasses rebuilding life after autism, balancing family life, advocating for children, taking care of children and parents, finding the way, dealing with the public, accepting autistic children and their parents, and living the experience (Morrell and Ann 15-195). These key ideas are presented in relation to the authors’ personal experiences. For this reason, mothers and fathers out there can identify with the information conveyed through the outlined key ideas. The coverage of autistic parenting, with regard to the underlying set of parenting skills, is intensive and extensive. The authors uphold the works done by other scholars, but maintain that the best people who can take care of and provide for autistic children are the parents. Massive researches conducted on the matter make many, diverse, and dynamic recommendations on how to handle autistic children. On their part, Morrell and Ann (2006) present what has and what has not worked for them. The book is designed to enhance the manner in which parents interact, relate, and raise their autistic children, as opposed to providing guidelines that should be followed in that regard. Course Comparison The classroom environment is highly theoretical, but the situation in the real world is essentially practical. The introduction part of this part has highlighted the key ideas that run throughout Morrell and Ann’s book. Each of the identified key ideas carries with it vital parenting skills that allow functional integration of autistic children and their parents with the larger community or society. Essentially, this is in line with the provisions of the various topics discussed in class. Arguments by Morrell and Ann are actually aligned with the contents of various parenting topics, namely: parent-child issues, child-rearing practices, varieties of parenthood experiences, sources of stress for children and their parents, parents involvement in their child’s learning, and the dynamics of family life (Brooks, 2008). All these aspects are accounted for in the information presented by Morrell and Ann. The alignment of the noted topics with the arguments they make, however, does not mean that the two authors employ the same approach as other researchers or experts in the same field. The book’s provisions relative to class discussions show that there are substantial variations in the way different books approach parenting subjects. However, an observable common denominator is that parenting is a critical practice in the societal setting. It is seen that all aspects of childhood are highly influenced by the manner in which parenting is undertaken. The consideration of children with disabilities is also brought to light in both the class environment and in real world scenario. The underlying parenting hardships realized as a result are highlighted in both cases, showing just how much parenting is interconnected in both theory and practice. Ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic differentials are critical to account for as far as parenting is concerned (Morrell and Ann 143). Research and subsequent advice to parents cannot fail to provide for individual, communal, and societal diversity. Parenting significantly varies from one individual to another and from one region to another. In this respect, the status of culture, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factor cannot be expected to be common among all parents. For this reason, Morrell and Ann have tried to diversify their personal accounts and experiences for the purpose of ensuring that the diversity and dynamism observed within and across ethnic groups, cultures, communities, and societies is accounted for in their advice to parents. The developmental approach taken in Morrell and Ann’s book is parent-driven. In other words, the two authors have used personal initiatives in taking charge of the situation they have found themselves in life. The introductory part of the book notes that the authors anticipated poor life experiences, characterized by stigma, sadness, and social isolation. However, the shared insights prove otherwise as the text continues to be developed. The parent is the only person who understands what it really takes to raise a child, with or without disabilities. In this respect, the underlying developmental approach becomes a parent-oriented factor. Professional Application The book, Parenting Across the Autism Spectrum: Unexpected Lessons We Have Learned, is informative, insightful, and essentially relevant to parenting. Its use, therefore, is neither limited to parents nor professionals in the various fields that deal with parenting. At a personal level, I work with families with autistic children as well as families with other different types of disabilities. In this respect, the book and the information contained therein comes in handy. Families with disabilities of one form or another exhibit sensitive individual and social concerns, and approaching and working with them requires the professional to conscious about these aspects. The book presents real world scenarios of how the two authors have dealt with their autistic children for over two decades now. The underlying collaborative efforts between mothers and their children are also presented. This widens personal exposure to how and what different parents are doing to ensure that their disabled children lead a normal life. The families I work with will undoubtedly find this information useful in enhancing their day to day lives, as they continue to provide for, take care of, and raise their disabled children. The accounts, experiences, information, and lessons outlined in the book triggers a personal motivational factor in my line of professionalism. In other words, the book is a wakeup call to intensify my line of work with families dealing with different disabilities. Amid the underlying challenges, there is a positive anticipation of the desired outcomes. The ultimate lesson drawn from the book is that there are many and different ways through which families with disabilities can be helped. It is the duty of the professional to assess, evaluate, and subsequently decide on the approach that best addresses the needs and interests of the families involved. Lessons learnt and outlined in the book have been dubbed unexpected. This follows that fact that the authors realized some outcomes that they never expected. In my personal endeavor, my plan is to use this information to counter the many challenges that have characterized my work with families with disabled persons. Doing so will ensure that my course remains on a successful path, characterized by effective and efficient service delivery. On the same note, it will be vital to ensure that the families I work with do not live in denial. Rather, they need to accept the situation, let go of their numerous questions about the situation, and move on as united persons within the family setting. Autism spectrum is clearly explained in the book. From the shared experiences, it is evident that autism can exhibit two extreme sides, not forgetting an array of behavior therein. In this respect, I plan to employ this information in creating awareness about the different forms autism can take. The idea will be to let families with autistic children understand their behavior from time to time even more, thus devising functional ways of handling these children within and across the different levels of their autistic spectrum. In conclusion, my ultimate plan is to strive to enhance the quality of life that families with disabilities lead subject to the provisions made in the book. Working with these families in an environment within which their needs and interests are adequately addressed will undoubtedly yield the desired outcomes. Works Cited Brooks, Jane. The Process of Parenting (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2008. Print. Morrell, Maureen, and Ann Palmer. Parenting Across the Autism Spectrum: Unexpected Lessons We Have Learned. Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2006. Print. Read More