An Experienced Mother of an autistic child's review of Lonely Girl, Gracious God.

“Lonely girl, Gracious God”

Review by Ruth 

Recently I had the privilege of reading ‘Lonely Girl, Gracious God.’ Being a mother of an Autistic teenage boy myself, I’m always interested in reading about other parents’ experience. I was especially curious in this book because Lauri’s experience happened in the 80’s, 10 years before mine. Autism then was hardly mentioned. Most people never heard of it, but those that knew what it was didn’t paint an encouraging picture to parents. Lauri experienced what so many parents experience when they first hear that their child may have some kind of disability or is not quite ‘normal’. Lauri takes you into her journey of discovery of what Autism was.

 I could so relate to the emotional rollercoaster that a parent goes through. The waves of guilt, the denial, and the judgmental looks from others, the embarrassments, etc. One of the things that struck me was how she discovered some of the same therapies (experimental at the time) that I discovered.

 Lauri is very transparent with her faith, how in all her challenges, she draws her strength from God; she is transparent about her family and marriage  how it affected each member of her family. Again, I can so relate and I’m sure so many other parents of not just Autistic children but any disability can relate. I like that Lauri was very proactive. She admitted to her ignorance and fears, but she always pushed herself to learn how to help her daughter Farema.  Lauri was and still is her best advocate.

  Lauri’s and Farema’s journey is still going so even though Lauri ended her story on a positive note, I would remind the reader that Autism is a spectrum. Each child is unique to his or her disability. What Farema went through doesn’t necessarily mean that your child will go through the same things. I don’t want the reader to be fearful of Autism but to be encouraged by the victories that other parents are having  by all of the new therapies that are out there. Do your research (you know your child best) and be proactive. I recommend this book to the parent of an Autistic child to draw strength and ideas and to anyone that knows of someone that has an Autistic child so they understand the parent and how to help them. 

This review is Ruth's opinion. She was not compensated for a positive review.