Henry's Classroom
A Special Education in American Motherhood
by Amy Mackin
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Pub Date May 06 2025 | Archive Date Not set
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Description
Over 7 million students ages 3–21 across the United States receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Amy Mackin’s son, Henry, is one of them. As she navigates the medical, social, and educational systems that are designed to help families like hers, she discovers that staffing shortages, budget restrictions, ineffective communication practices, and a resistance to innovative ideas all threaten her son’s ability to reach his full potential.
Henry's Classroom takes readers on Amy’s often frustrating, sometimes funny journey with her son—from the initial signs of a developmental delay, through early intervention, eventual diagnosis, and Henry's challenges within the public education system—until they finally turn away from traditional structures and create something new instead. As much a work of cultural criticism as it is a memoir, Henry’s Classroom argues that an expanded, more flexible vision of American schools and workplaces is essential for our society to realize true equity and inclusion.
A Note From the Publisher
Amy Mackin writes at the intersection of education, cultural history, public health, and social equity. Her work has appeared in outlets such as The Atlantic, Chalkbeat, The Washington Post, Witness, and The Shriver Report. She earned her MA in American Studies from the University of Massachusetts and her MFA in Nonfiction Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Over the last several years, she has held leadership writing roles in the public health, science, and higher education sectors. Amy loves the fickle weather and spectacular landscapes of New England, where she resides with her family and always at least one friendly feline.
Advance Praise
“Amy Mackin has written a magnificent book, eloquently and compassionately detailing the riveting account of her son’s struggles inside (and outside of) the school system, along with her unceasing efforts to help him on his educational journey. It’s a love story, a story about raising children with disabilities, and a beautifully written story about a mother’s quest to ensure that her son receives the education he deserves. She weaves facts and figures throughout her narrative, while leaving the reader on the edge of her seat, mesmerized by this incredible story, rooting for both mother and son. I highly recommend.”
-Linda Murphy Marshall, author of Ivy Lodge: A Memoir of Translation and Discovery
“In prose as precise as her insights, Mackin chronicles the challenges—and rewards—of raising a neurodiverse child. In addition to her first-hand experiences, the book contains plenty of research, which is woven seamlessly into the narrative and never becomes pedantic. Henry’s Classroom is both moving and enlightening. Spoiler alert: The giant Elmo scene is itself worth the price of admission.”
-Sue William Silverman, author of Acetylene Torch Songs: Writing True Stories to Ignite the Soul
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781627205733 |
| PRICE | $23.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 314 |
