A CHILD WITH ASD
thunder in the sky
Home
NEW !
Thunder in the blue sky
and your journey from mourning to honouring...
A book for all the mothers, fathers and grandparents of a child diagnosed with ASD.
Also for professionals: psychiatrists, general practitioners, psychologists, coaches, counselors, teachers, intern supervisors, therapists and agencies working with parents with one or more children diagnosed with autism.
This book can support specialists in the 'bad news message' when parents receive the diagnosis of ASD. Guidance for the child with ASD is only successful if the family and the entire "family system" is helped dealing with misunderstanding, grief and their mourning.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
ASD stands for Autism Spectrum Disorders. ASD occurs in children, adolescents and adults.
Under the umbrella of ASD various disorders are known, such as Classic Autism, Asperger's syndrome, and PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified).
People with ASD have difficulty with social interactions and with changing circumstances, among others.
MOURNING in families with ASD
Not everyone is in mourning after hearing their child is diagnosed
with autism. But many mothers, fathers, grandparents and foster parents experience mourning next to their grief. Consciously or unconsciously. Maybe not because of the diagnosis but because of all the necessary adjustments and the many unexpected aspects that autism entails. Mourning because of the need to let go of expectations.
"Twice I had a child of mine diagnosed with ASD, it happened with both my children. The grief that I felt when we received the diagnosis for our son was overwhelming. He was just five years old. And a few years ago our daughter was diagnosed with ASD also. I was in total denial and said it was just our failing 'parenting techniques', so maybe there would be a quick fix.
Thanks to my education and experiences, I can help others who
received or are about to receive the diagnosis of ASD. My book can be
used as a tool to help family, friends and acquaintances who find
it difficult to talk to you about your child. And my book provides
professionals with knowledge and a better understanding
of the mourning process mothers, fathers or grandparents might
(probably) have to deal with."
Myranda Smeelen
MYTHS
Misunderstandings on your journey from mourning to honouring
Myth: The pain will go away if you deny or avoid talking about it.
Myth: It is important to be strong when mourning.
Myth: If you're not crying, you experience no mouring.
Myth: Mourning takes about one year to heal.