Tears Behind the Wheel

By Rev. Dr. Ashley Ivery

My son had no voice, and I was the person assigned by God to advocate for him. I know this sounds pretty "self-proclaimed superwomanish," but trust me, I'm far from that. Strong is definitely overrated. Honestly, navigating my son's autism diagnosis was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I knew that there were other Black parents of autistic children out there dealing with many of the same issues that I've dealt with.

I write this book to share the journey of a Black mother and her Black children, one being a son with autism. My faith, my tribe, and my story are all woven together to give you a true picture of our journey. This book is timely as it sheds light on the intersection of race, disability, and single parenthood, addressing systemic disparities while offering hope and practical advice.

More times than I can count, I've cried behind the wheel of my car, also known as my altar. During my work commutes, drives to and from appointments, trips here and there, I prayed... a lot. Mostly, those prayers were directed toward my family, especially my autistic son, who was non-verbal for the first 4.5 years of his life. Behind the wheel of my car, tears often flowed-from the loneliness of raising my children as a single parent, the isolation of having a son with autism, the ambiguity of my son's prognosis, the questions that only God could answer but didn't seem to be answering, to the joys of progress and the triumphs of moments of success. My car saw it all.

In this book, I invite you into my car. Along this journey with me, Ashton, and Bella, you'll witness the highs and lows, the faith and the doubt, the struggles and the victories. This is not just a memoir; it's a heartfelt invitation to understand the depths of a mother's love, the power of faith, and the relentless pursuit of advocacy for a child who needed a voice. Join us in this journey of tears, prayers, and unwavering hope.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FCS58VCF
• ISBN13: 9798283273129
• Release Date: June 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 76 Pages
• Weight: 0.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.5" x 8.5"