Parenting Autistic Children Insider’s Perspective | Dr. Stacy Goresko

The Social Diet® | Dr. Stacy Goresko

Parents, the purpose of me writing this book is so that you can be a more informed consumer. No one approach is “better” or “worse” or “irrelevant.” While the discourse and behavior in the autism world might not tell you this, it is the truth. It is up to you the parent, the consumer, to educate yourselves so you can choose the best fit for you, your child and your family. There is no magic button (intervention approach) that you can push and have all your child’s needs met. Not when it comes to ASD (or anything else for that matter.) It’s a harsh reality. I had wished (and still do at times) for that magic bullet but it is simply not there. Don’t expect it. My advice is, do your homework so you can become empowered rather than “Hoping for the best.”

I can promise you that your hard work will pay off is so many ways. Moreover, you will feel more in control in a situation that is very challenging and at times extremely difficult. The good news here is that the more you know, the more you participate the more connected you will become to your child. That is worth everything.

It is my intention that the pages of my book (The Social Diet®) will provide parents (and anyone else reading the book) a unique insider’s perspective (mine as both a parent of a child with autism and as a sociolinguist.) I believe this chapter will be informative and revelatory. My purpose is not to judge, but to report. That being said, it is my sincere wish that my book will act as a catalyst for change in terms of what I believe has been missing from the culture of autism since its inception- the human factor.