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
The letters and stories in this book pull back the curtain on the lived experiences of autistic individuals, offering insights that we never would've come across in your standard-issue pamphlet from the pediatrician's office. It's packed with honesty—some stories tug at the heartstrings, others hit you with the hard truths, and some even sprinkle in a bit of humor. And let me tell you, humor becomes a precious commodity when you're knee-deep in figuring out IEPs, therapies, and all the emotions that tag along with an autism diagnosis.
If you're looking for clinical jargon and cold, hard facts, this isn't it. But if you want to know what's going on in the minds of autistic kids as they grow up, the battles they fight, the victories they savor, and the world as they experience it, then you've got to read this book. It opens up perspectives on acceptance, identity, and the idea that being different isn't a drawback—it's a superpower if embraced and understood.
And acceptance? That's the big one. This book isn't about “fixing” our kids; it's about understanding them and reshaping our own perspectives to uplift and support their unique selves. It’s about learning to champion their differences, not stifle them.
Reading this book felt like having a long, heartfelt chat with friends who get it—friends who tell you what you need to hear, not necessarily what you want to hear. The kind of friends who remind you that this journey, while tough, is also filled with moments of joy, pride, and unparalleled love.
So, to any parent out there facing a new autism diagnosis for their child, grab a copy of "Sincerely, Your Autistic Child." Sit down with it when the house is quiet, the kids are asleep, and let these voices help guide you towards a better understanding of your little one's world. It's an eye-opener and a companion wrapped into one. And isn't that what we all need when facing the beautiful, intricate puzzle that is autism?
One of the chapters has a list of things broken down with helpful tips. It's addressed for girls, but I actually typed it up to be genderless [referring to kids as kids, they] and am going to be giving it to my family and son's teachers to help. Absolutely great information.
It also has individuals who talked about the silent resentment that they felt because they weren't the child their parents dreamed of (there were a lot of truly heart breaking sections in this book). It was extremely eye opening and motivated me more to push for acceptance. Not just from the world but in our own homes, because as one of the writers put it, acceptance starts at home.
If you read one book this year, let it be this one. Your heart will break but you'll also learn more about what your child needs from you which is your love and acceptance
The other reason moms in particular need to read this is because Autism has a hereditary component and girls and women are frequently undiagnosed. YOU may find that the stories in this book are eerily familiar and give you a new perspective on your own life. Even if you yourself aren’t Autistic, the writers’ observations on the way disability and sexism interact also share helpful insights on sexism. While I would like to also at some point read similar stories from boys, the focus of this book allows both common themes and diversity of experience to emerge that would be lost in a volume where a few token girls or nonbinary people had to represent their entire group. It is a very helpful book to read.
And this book stories of people that are on the spectrum and their lives, challenges and what they wished their parents knew and would’ve done for them when they were struggling with school and just life in general.
It’s very eye opening, and definitely helps you to improve as a parent.
I would 100% recommend this book, it’s a really good read and I went through this book in a few hrs :)
I recommend using the table of contents as a cue for what set of essays / which titles you would like to read -- I did not read cover-to-cover (skipped over the childhood ones) when I received the book, but chose titles which resonated for me in the moment. I've gone back to reread all of them, as the essays were all so excellent -- truly a difference to read / experience another autist's work.
Its energy is inspiring and insightful…engaging and connecting… joyous and affirming. I highly recommend it.
It does highlight how much better we could be for our daughter, but armed with the wisdom found in this book, I belive we will be much better equipped going forward.
Thank you to the individuals who shared their insight in these pages and to AWN and to the editors for conceiving and executing such an important book. Thank you, thank you, thank you!