I Am Me
My Personal Journey with My Forty Plus Autistic Son
by Marlene Ringler, PhD
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Pub Date Jul 24 2018 | Archive Date Apr 26 2020
BooksGoSocial | Morgan James Publishing
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Description
I Am Me is a courageous story offered as a gift of hope, inspiration, and love to anyone whose life is affected by an autism spectrum diagnosis—a candid and moving personal narrative about raising a child with the devastating diagnosis. One out of 68 children today are diagnosed with autism. One of those happens to be Marlene Ringler’s son. Yesterday’s autistic child is today’s autistic adult. As mothers, women worry about just what will happen to their child when they are no longer around to provide guidance and support.
Who will look after him? Who will care? Who will love my son?
Marlene Ringler directly addresses those very human questions as she pays special attention to research findings and current investigations into the spectrum disorder. Her journey provides a firsthand look at the highs and lows of raising a son with this diagnosis, leading towards a greater understanding of how recognition of an autistic diagnosis can be viewed as part of our human condition.
I Am Me is a straightforward, honest, and touching story of how a family copes when one member is on the spectrum. It is a journey told through the prism of a mother who offers hope, belief, and conviction that the life of a child with autism can and should be fulfilling and rewarding.
Advance Praise
Carol F. Edelman, PhDEmeriti Professor of Sociology and Associate Dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, California State University
“This is an exceptional book, blending scientific theory and fact with the moving personal experience of a mother who has raised a child – now adult – diagnosed with Asberger Syndrome. It is a “must read” for other parents facing this difficult situation.”
Irving Kirsch PhDAuthor of The Emperor’s New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth”
“This is a book that needed to be written. And it is a book that needs to be read by anyone trying to deal creatively with a family member or friend who is on the autism spectrum. I can think of dozens of families in the various churches I served over the last 55 years who would have benefited greatly from this resource. Dr. Ringler tells the story of her family’s journey with her autistic son in a compelling yet compassionate and loving way. In so doing she shares insights which will be helpful to anyone on a similar journey.”
Dr. Donald E. Inlay, B.A. University of Redlands, Redlands, California; Rel.D., Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, California; form"
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781683507994 |
PRICE | $17.95 (USD) |
PAGES | 174 |
Featured Reviews
I have always enjoyed reading books discussing The autistic spectrum disorder also known as ASD. If you or anybody you love is either on the spectrum works with the spectrum or just wants to know more about it this book is for you
This book was raw and honest and really shows what those that care for an adult with autism experience. It is not easy caring for an adult that is on the spectrum, as there is no way to predict what your day is going to be like. Every single decision made in the day is dependent on the autistic adult's ability to go along with the plans or modifications of them. I work with autistic middle school students and cannot imagine what it is like to be a caregiver to someone with autism that is an adult. The author was honest about setbacks and victories and I found this to be a very good look at what it is like for the caregiver. So many of us focus on the person with autism, that we forget about the person that has to care for them for their entire lives.
As the mother of a son going through the diagnostic process, I turned to Marlene Ringler's memoir as something of a last resort when I feared for my own sanity amidst the stress of it all. By page 2 I was in tears and felt seen and very much less alone. I can never thank Marlene enough for writing this. The book has certainly served its intended purpose as "a source of strength and optimism". It is well-written, extensively researched and provides a wealth of additional resources. Highly recommend!
Having a child with asperger's myself I was fully able to relate to the author. I'm also a psychologist. Dr. Ringler was very informative about ths history of asperger's syndrome, but she left out some of the more nasty parts about Dr. Asperger and the experiments he conducted of his young parents. I don't know if she knew about his history, and chose instead to gloss it over.
The story does give the reader hope that with time, patience persons with Asperger's are capable of living a normal life. Their lifestyle may differ from what society states is normal, but ask yourself "What is normal?" We know what abnormal is but do we truly know what normal is.
Asperger syndrome is more prevalent in society...we are no longer hiding them in institutions. I believe that this book could give hope to parents with children recently diagnosed with ASD to allow them hope, and to realize that like with any child there will be ups and downs.
I changed my career from being a Store Manager, then going back to college to work in a area I have always wanted to do since I was in my teens. Now I am working with autistic young adults. This book was recommended to me via a friend and I am so glad I had a chance to read and review it. This has now become my reference book.
I am Me by Marlene Ringler, PhD is about a is a courageous Mother's journey with her autistic son, combining research with a warm, candid, and compelling personal narrative. I found it very interesting and very helpful in my new field of work which I love doing, it's so rewarding, with every day is different! This book is written with so much love, empathy and determination, and Marlene describes the struggle they both experienced and coming to terms with an autistic spectrum diagnosis etc. This book give hope for other parents who have an autistic child etc.
I highly recommend this book.
BooksGoSocial
I have met many austistc people in my life and they had different traits and abilities. I love books about peoples' experience with disabilities and am sensitive and empathic towards them sinve I myself have multiple disabilities.
Although I don't have autism, I could relate to the difficulties in being accepted and feelng integrated in society as well as the difficulty making friends. I too am sensitive to loud or sudden noise but my challenges are due to Cerebral Palsy and Hydrocephalus.
I understood the feeling of being misunderstood throughout my life and having to find advicates and fight for services.
I believe that each and every one of us who are differently abled has something positive to give the world despite our physical or intellectual challenges.
I, for example, am fluent in Spanish and have a university degree, am married and am fighting to become a publshed author.
Many of us can do, and are, more than people give us credit for.
I was drawn into Marlene Ringler's account of life before her son's diagnosis as well as everything she, her son and her family have been through in life.
I got my diagnoses within the first weeks of lfe but I cannot imagine the frustration of waiting for longer. I identified with contradictions about intelligence and ability and felt included on the journey the book takes me on.
The wealth of research and studies about autism and Asperger's throughout time as well as the mention of The Rosie Project (a book I still have not listened to) was thought-provoking but as I am not a doctor of any kind I did feel a little lost in all the information.
The best book on Asperger's since The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. This has answered the questions on Asperger's I had since one of my favourite TV shows is The Good Doctor.
Marlene Ringler has a way of making hers and her son's story hit home.
Thanks to Marlene Ringler and Books Go Social for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. Book #2 for Quarantineathon 2020.
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