From Reading and Other Learning Disabilities
A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan & Dr. Howard Margolis
Autism: My Brother is Different
A Guest Post by
Barbara J. Morvay, MA
Retired Superintendent, Special Services School District (NJ)
Author, My Brother is Different
You can’t read a newspaper, watch television, or look at a magazine without coming across a story about autism. The cause of autism? The cure? No one knows. Is it scary? You bet!
For families who have a child with autism—whether mild or severe —life is a constant challenge. Since there are no easy answers and no medical tests to pinpoint autism, they always have questions, lots of questions. Does my child really have autism? Will there be a cure? Who should I listen to? Do the doctors, the educators, or other parents have the answers? How can I get the services my child needs? What will happen to him when I die? How can I help my other children? There are more questions than answers.
Autism affects everyone in the house: the child with autism, his parents, his siblings. Often, however, professionals forget that the “so-called” normal children, the brothers and sisters, are also impacted—having a sibling with autism creates lots of stress, it makes their life different. Thus my new book, My Brother is Different. Based on my decades of experience, My Brother is Different offers families a therapeutic guide for helping them deal with the stresses, strains, and uncertainties that autism imposes. It helps parents help all their children. It directly addresses sibbling reactions and feelings about having a brother (or sister) with autism.
Here are a five points that families of children with autism must know:
- Each child is unique; what works for some does not work for all.
- Children manifest symptoms differently.
- People who claim they have “the answer”—don’t.
- Joy must be found in your child’s progress, however small.
- You are the most important person in your child’s life.
For more information, visit www.mybrotherisdifferent.com. And while you’re there, feel free to post a few questions.
The Author: Barbara Morvay began her career as a speech therapist and teacher of children with disabilities. She later became a supervisor of special education, a principal, a business administrator, and a superintendent. She has taught college as an adjunct professor and presently serves as a college trustee.
Edited by Howard Margolis, Ed.D. www.reading2008.com
© Barbara Morvay
Barbara Morvay offers a fresh perspective of the needs of both parents and siblings of Autistic children in “My Brother is Different”. Down to earth, easy reading and factual come together as one of the best books dealing with a difficult subject of Austism.
Barbara Morvay is to be congratulated on her presentation of “My Brother is Different”, writing and artistic approach. This is a book that should be on Oprah Winfrey’s top 10 book list, not to mention, all the TV morning shows. Congratulations Barbara and thanks for writing this book. Your experience has enlightened the world!