March 2025 ~ Extended Book Reviews

Hello Everyone,
 
This month’s BLOG will begin with a chance to view my slideshow GALLERY of Books and focus on the offered Extended Book Reviews. The slideshow shows the book covers, divided into the following categories ~

     AMAZING ADVENTURES
     DIAGNOSIS, DOCTORS, DENIAL
     SAVVY SOLUTIONS
     SCHOOL ON THE SHORT BUS
 
Hopefully, these stories will help parents, clinicians, academics, and all people #Autism, in connecting with those who have gone before us on their Autism Journey. March's BLOGs give snippets of my Extended Book Reviews; find full reviews on website MENU; along with a LINK to purchase the eBook. You will find each Autism story to be engaging, compelling, and as different as each family's Autism journey.

From the Category – AMAZING ADVENTURES. Read the full reviews, plus LINKs to eBooks, on www.sarasautismsite.com.
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Autism Triplet Twist: Survival Stories of Parents, Triplets & Autism by James E. Potvin, eBook 2013; an Extended Review with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
 
Excerpts from the book – (6% indicates location in the Kindle version of the book, instead of page numbers).

Potvin, J. (2016)     6%       I have lived this story and been able to make sense out of chaos. I am the father of triplets. Our triplets are all fraternal girls. Our story is unique and different. I have been told by friends, family, and total strangers that I should write a book. This is that book!

9%       Twist 1: OMG!  We’re having triplets! Congratulations, you are having triplets! Say What? Are you sure? It was now confirmed. My wife and I were expecting triplets. The ultrasound showed three separate, healthy heartbeats.

As the triplets became older….
21%     Sarah made little eye contact. She did not want to play with the toys in the room. She made some odd noises and flapped like an eagle. She did not look to us for guidance.

The physician emerged from the secluded observation room. Then he spoke. The doctor said, “Sarah has autism.” We did not know anything about autism, except there was no known cause or cure. It wasn’t like the chicken pox that would go away.
28%     We asked our pediatrician what was wrong with Andrea. Why did she have all these odd quirks? Our doctor sent us to a specialist. After two minutes, he told us that Andrea also had autism. She displayed different signs than Sarah. Andrea did not flap like an eagle, but she did take her toys, dance around the room and make the same noises over and over.

< My Thoughts >          “...odd quirks?”

The professional literature reflects that ‘odd quirks’ seem to be some sort of response the environment. The child or adult may have sensory issues, may be feeling anxious or excited, or having an obsessive compulsive moment. Somehow, the brain is telling the body to perform these ‘odd quirks’. These are one of the core symptoms of autism. 

Note: See more about Sensory Behavior in my Free ASD Book (find on website MENU), Know Autism, Know Your Child:  UNIT 4 When Is It Sensory?  Chapter 2.
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Potvin, J. (2016)    28%     Andrea loved routines and became upset if the anticipated routine was altered. She was autistic; she was just at a different spot of the autism spectrum than Sarah.
 
Rachael, the middle triplet was still normal. At this point, we realized that having one child with autism was expensive. Having two children with autism requires serious financial planning.
Potvin, J. (2016)     83%     It is helpful if there are special activities you can do with each triplet individually. An outing gives you a chance to recharge and refocus.

For Andrea, we taught her how to ice skate and ski. Andrea loves anything fast and dangerous. She has no fear. She loves roller coasters and speed boat rides. She goes on any trip to the store. Her favorite shopping places are book stores and toy stores.

Rachael is much more social. She spends time with her friends and school most of the time. She has friends over frequently and an occasional sleepover. She plays the viola and is in Color Guard. We support her by taking her to practices and attending her concerts. Rachael enjoys reading and her pets. She has a dog, a ferret, a chinchilla, and a hamster.

Sarah is the youngest triplet. She likes doing puzzles and watching videos. She loves to eat and is often present in the kitchen. She enjoys long car rides and going out for French fries.

All the triplets are individuals, so we find it important to have special activities to do with each child.

Note: See more about Temperament & Personality in my Free ASD Book (find on website MENU), Know Autism, Know Your Child:  UNIT 3 What Is Most Concerning? Chapter 3.

Thank you for reading and sharing my BLOGs. Comments are welcomed, to be viewed and answered privately. My goal is to assist families, clinicians, educators, and all people ‘autism’, to continue their journey on the Autism Highway. At the end of each website Extended Book Review, please find a source to have the whole book to read.

Regards,
Sara Luker


​Paid Link Disclosure -

These Extended Book Reviews have an Amazon Link for actual book purchases. Please read this Paid Link Disclosure AKA Affiliate Links Disclosure:
     Sometimes there are paid links, also known as affiliate links, used on this site. My website, www.sarasautismsite.com, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 
     I may earn or receive a small paid commission from referrals for book purchases made through posts, pages, and links on this site. But I try to remain unbiased and I do not accept paid reviews. All opinions expressed here are my own. 
     There is no extra cost to you when purchases are made using the provided links. By using the links I provide you agree that you’ve read this paid link disclosure statement. 
Thank you! 
Sara Luker