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by Joanne Elaine (Author)
There are times in life when the path you are travelling becomes unclear. You feel challenged, overwhelmed and out of control. Things don't go the way you planned. But, through these challenges, there is always hope.
In the Footsteps of Two - Never Give Up: One Mum's Journey, Joanne Elaine shares her story of the life-altering moment when her twins were diagnosed with autism, and explains how the family have navigated a different life path since. With honesty she describes the challenges she faced following the unexpected double diagnosis of Zalie and Flynn when they were two years old, without hiding or shying away from any of the raw emotions of denial, blame and guilt she encountered at the time, and has felt along the way.
A heartfelt account of Joanne's journey of parenting her twins on the autism spectrum, this inspirational personal memoir gives hope to those affected by autism that things will be OK. As a parent or support person, you will discover how to develop a never-give-up attitude, even in moments of extreme difficulty and self-doubt. The lessons shared will equip you with the knowledge and comfort you need to find the inner strength to thrive, not just survive, even on the darkest days.
While the diagnosis was a shock, Joanne has never been one to sit back and wait. She took a proactive approach and immediately began learning about autism, seeking out support to better understand how she could help her twins to realise their full potential. She connected with early intervention services and some wonderful people who offered valuable guidance which allowed her to help her children to communicate their needs and learn about the world around them. Over the years, Joanne has continued to educate herself about autism, which has allowed her to provide Zalie and Flynn with opportunities to express themselves through art and other mediums, so they can live a full and happy life.
Whether you are a professional working in the field of child psychology, child development or education, or are a parent, carer or friend affected by autism, this story will provide insights into how having the right understanding and support makes such a real and meaningful difference. As Joanne shares her parenting journey, from early childhood through to the teenage years and beyond, you'll gain insights into how she sought out solutions around behavioural problems, sleep issues and food intolerances, and how she coped with her children's differing educational needs throughout the school years. She learned from experience that taking each stage as it comes, and seeking the right support at the time it was needed, allowed her to open up doors and opportunities for the twins that may not have otherwise been available, so they truly had the chance to shine.
The Footsteps of Two is Joanne's personal story of her two children whose lives were turned upside down. It is an inspirational read for anyone who wants to smile at the beauty in life, and a must read for everyone affected by autism.
