Not What I Expected

<b>Finalist for a Books for a Better Life Award <p/>A pediatric neuropsychologist presents strategies to help parents of special-needs children navigate the emotional challenges they face.</b> <p/> As diagnosis rates continue to rise for autism ADHD learning disabilities and other developmental differences parents face a maze of medical psychological and educational choices - and a great deal of emotional stress. Many books address children's learning or behavior problems and advise parents what they can do to help their kids but until <b>Not What I Expected: Help and Hope for Parents of Atypical Children</b> there were no books that explain what the parents are going through - and how they can cope with their own emotional upheaval - for their own sake and for the wellbeing of the whole family. <p/> With compassion clarity and an emphasis on practical solutions Dr. Rita Eichenstein's <b>Not What I Expected: Help and Hope for Parents of Atypical Children</b> walks readers through the five stages of acceptance (similar to the stages of grief but modified for parents of special-needs kids). Using vivid anecdotes and suggestions she helps readers understand their own emotional experience nurture themselves in addition to their kids identify and address relationship wounds including tension in a marriage and struggles with children (special-needs and neurotypical) and embrace their child with acceptance compassion and joy.