Not What I Expected: Help and Hope for Parents of Atypical Children

By Rita Eichenstein

Book Overview

Finalist for a Books for a Better Life Award A pediatric neuropsychologist presents strategies to help parents of special-needs children navigate the emotional challenges they face. As diagnosis rates continue to rise for autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and other developmental differences, parents face a maze of medical, psychological, and educational choices - and a great deal of emotional stress. Many books address children's learning or behavior problems and advise parents what they can do to help their kids, but until Not What I Expected- Help and Hope for Parents of Atypical Children there were no books that explain what the parents are going through - and how they can cope with their own emotional upheaval - for their own sake, and for the wellbeing of the whole family. With compassion, clarity, and an emphasis on practical solutions, Dr. Rita Eichenstein's Not What I Expected- Help and Hope for Parents of Atypical Children walks readers through the five stages of acceptance (similar to the stages of grief, but modified for parents of special-needs kids). Using vivid anecdotes and suggestions, she helps readers understand their own emotional experience, nurture themselves in addition to their kids, identify and address relationship wounds including tension in a marriage and struggles with children (special-needs and neurotypical), and embrace their child with acceptance, compassion and joy.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399171762
• ISBN13: 9780399171765
• Release Date: April 2015
• Publisher: Tarcher
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher