
Always Bring Your Sunglasses
And Other Stories from a Life of Sensory and Social Invalidation
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Narrated by:
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Virtual Voice

This title uses virtual voice narration
About this listen
Always Bring Your Sunglasses is a poignant, insightful guide written by Becca Lory Hector, aimed at providing neurotypical parents with a deeper understanding of the autistic experience.
This book is a treasure trove for parents, especially for those seeking to comprehend and cater to their child’s unique needs. Becca Lory Hector shares her personal journey with autism, offering an intimate glimpse into the sensory sensitivities, social intricacies, and the often-misunderstood aspects of living in an autistic body. Through her experiences, Becca illuminates the challenges and triumphs of growing up autistic, providing practical advice and compassionate guidance to parents.
Always Bring Your Sunglasses is more than a memoir; it is a roadmap for parents who are dedicated to understanding and supporting their autistic children. It addresses the critical question of how to ensure that an autistic child not only copes but also thrives in a world that's not always accommodating to their needs. The book empowers parents to be the best advocates for their children, ensuring they have every opportunity for a happy, successful life. It's a must-read for any parent who wonders what it's like to grow up with autism and is committed to giving their child the brightest future possible.
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This what I needed to know
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As far as the content of the book. It was excellent with concise chapters that really addressed specific issues and problems that autistics encounter with real life examples not only from the author’s own experiences but she mentions additional examples. Excellent explanations of definitions that describe the clinical terms of aspects of autism. Practical helps, suggestions and examples were also given specifically for the parents of autistic children.
However, as a late diagnosed autistic, I found the practical helps and suggestions very beneficial and life-affirming.
I would recommend this to parents and to autistic adults as well.
Excellent Information on Autism
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A must read for everyone!
Outstanding, enlightening, and heartfelt
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Appreciation for sharing your perspective and your mother’s too.
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Good Info on Autism
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The direct honesty
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Some random notes:
* Don’t praise them where they are good at - because they might link this talent to their identity and when they do “only” 90% score, they might feel they lost themselves. It’s okay to score at 60% in life. Don’t let hem link their value with the test values.
* They might be super talented on some things, but ALWAYS presume they are super not-talented in some other things because of this balance. Don’t be hard on them if they can not do some simple tasks.
* Let your Asperger kid be obsessed about some things - weather its reading or a game etc - it’s their way of being “at home”, “at ease”, recharging. Never complain that they do those things too compulsively. Let them.
* Change is bad, so always take small steps when the kid needs to transition in life. So t hat only 5% is new and 95% is the same, with the new gradually rising each month. Let him know about all changes way in advance and do ask to take small steps, so they get used to it.
* Kid with Asperger might be super talented, but they don’t understand the world by themselves, they need guidance to START with simple things, e.g. cooking etc. They might see you doing it 1000 times, but they kind of have their brains switched off and don’t know how to do those things themselves. So ask them to take first steps on A LOT of things, they take it from there.
* Let them have their food preferences AND how the food should be on the plate etc. Never force them on this topic, food might brings disgust in them if it’s “not the correct way”.
* When he is protesting authority and asks WHY and argues against orders and is impolite - HE IS NOT ACTUALLY. They just need to understand the world and they are not able to ask politely and empathically. If You explain everything, they gladly do the orders. They have their ways of coping, it’s not rebellion.
* Let them wear the clothes and material they like, because when You dress them up, they lose energy with each minute. With their own clothes, they don’t drain energy. Oh, and this is where most problems come with Asperger kids - they must preserve their energy. Or a burnout is coming. It's so about managing energy loads.
* They DO NOT look into eyes while talking, it’s torture, just like all animals see it as a threat. But people presume they should look in their eyes if they like those people.
* Since it’s hard for them to get into a social group, they are willing to act A LOT differently (smoke drink) to be liked by that group.
A must read if You have a kid like that
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Power Packed!!
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