A diverse collection of autistic voices that highlights how parents can avoid common mistakes and misconceptions, and make their child feel truly accepted, valued, and celebrated for who they are.
Most resources available for parents come from psychologists, educators, and doctors, offering parents a narrow and technical approach to autism. Sincerely, Your Autistic Child represents an authentic resource for parents written by autistic people themselves.
From childhood and education to culture, gender identity, and sexuality, this anthology tackles the everyday joys and challenges of growing up while honestly addressing the emotional needs, sensitivity, and vibrancy of autistic kids, youth, and young adults. Contributors reflect on what they have learned while growing up on the autism spectrum and how parents can avoid common mistakes and overcome challenges while raising their child.
Part memoir, part guide, and part love letter, Sincerely, Your Autistic Child is an indispensable collection that invites parents and allies into the unique and often unheard experiences of autistic children and teens.
“This book is absolutely required reading for parents, educators, and caregivers who interact with anyone on the autism spectrum.”
—Library Journal, Starred Review
“Anybody who thinks differently, and anybody who loves someone who thinks differently, will find this collection invaluable.”
—Hannah Gadsby, writer and comedian
“An essential anthology edited and written by Autistic people . . . I can’t wait to share and recommend this book—what a gift.”
—Alice Wong, editor of Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century
Foreword
Jess Wilson
Letter from the Editors
Early Memories, Childhood, and Education
1
Acknowledge Vulnerability; Presume Competence
B. Martin Allen
2
It’s Us Against the World, Kid
Brigid Rankowski
3
What Autistic Girls Wish Their Parents Knew About Friendship
Jane Strauss
4
What Your Daughter Deserves: Love, Safety, and the Truth
Kassiane Asasumasu
5
What I Wish You Knew
Katie Levin
6
Change the World, Not Your Child
Lei Wiley-Mydske
7
Empathy and Non-Verbal Cues
Dusya Lyubovskaya
8
The First Time I Heard of Autism
Anonymous
9
What I Wish My Parents Knew About Being Their Autistic Daughter
Heidi Wangelin
10
A Particular Way of Being
Karen Lean
Acceptance and Adaptation
11
A Daughter’s Journey: Lessons, Honesty, and Love
Jennifer St. Jude
12
Still Your Child
Ondrea Marisa Robinson
13
Perfect in an Imperfect World
Haley Moss
14
Who Gets to Be Diagnosed? And Who Does It Serve?
Victoria M. Rodríguez-Roldán
15
Unconventional
Amythest Schaber
16
I Wish I Wasn’t So Hard on Myself Back Then
Kayla Smith
17
Ten Things I Wish My Parents Had Known When I Was Growing Up
Amelia “Mel” Evelyn Voicy Baggs
18
I Am an Autistic Woman
Amy Sequenzia
19
The View from Outside the Window
HW
20
Finding Me: The Journey to Acceptance
Morénike Giwa Onaiwu
21
Autism, Self-Acceptance, and Hope
Lynne Soraya
Intersectional Identity and Finding Community
22
Keep Her Safe; Let Her Fly Free
Maxfield Sparrow
23
Tell Me I’m Autistic
Anonymous
24
Autism, Sensory Experiences, and Family Culture
Mallory Cruz
25
Safe Harbors in a Difficult World
Kayla Rodriguez
26
Give Your Daughters Autistic Community
Jean Winegardner
27
A Parents’ Guide to Being Transgender and Autistic
Alexandra Forshaw
28
On Surviving Loneliness and Isolation, and Learning to Live with Loss
Lydia X. Z. Brown
29
There’s a Place
Emily Paige Ballou
Conclusion
Beth Ryan
About the Editors
Contributors
Acknowledgments
Notes
- “It’s Time to Remove Fear From How We Talk About Autism and Parenting,” Slate, book mentioned in Q&A
- “What Autistic Girls Wish Their Parents Knew About Friendship,” Beacon Broadside, excerpt for Disability Pride Month
- “Disability Is a Thread in the Fabric of Life: A Reading Guide for Disability Pride, ” Beacon Broadside, listed in reading roundup
- “Meet the woman behind Stanwood’s autism acceptance library,” HeraldNet (Everett, WA), book included in story on autism acceptance library in Washington state, run by one of the contributors
- “Autism Books for Every Age,” 425 Magazine, included in autism book roundup
- “Interview with co-editors of Sincerely, Your Autistic Child,” Disability Visbility Project, Q&A
- “There’s a Book for That: Autism Acceptance Month,” Reader’s Entertainment Magazine, listed in Autism Acceptance Month reading roundup
- “Three Autistic Disability Rights Activists to Amplify in Your Classroom,” PBS SoCal (online), book referenced and Morénike Giwa Onaiwu listed as an autistic disability rights activist to amplify in classrooms
- “New Releases,” Bookshop.org, book featured in 3/31 newsletter
- “Community newsletter: COVID-19 anniversary, social responsibility of genetics research, autism research feedback,” Spectrum, newsletter coverage