New Reviews of "Get Out, Explore, Have Fun" Explore the Complexity of the Autism Community

Today, new reviews of Get Out, Explore and Have Fun by blogger Kim Wombles and parent/advocate Stan Jaskiewicz (who is quoted in the book) highlight the reality that it's not always easy to find one's place in the autism community.  All too often, we are swayed by the expectations of others, or by the sometimes-ferocious politics within the autism community itself.  How do you rise above the noise to find a direction that works for you and your family?

Here's what Stan - a tireless advocate and hands-on Dad - suggests:

In my advocacy in various contexts, such as religious education or adaptive sports, I have tried to provide a consistent message to parents of children with disabilities. Don't assume your child can't do something because of his or her autism - you may have to provide accommodations, be involved yourself as a leader to facilitate your child's participation, and plan the event intensively, but your child is capable of many great things.

Kim, a dedicated autism blogger and mom, has for many years been a major voice in the autism controversies that seem to grow more heated and polarized every day.  In her review of Get Out, Explore, however, she notes that she's found more common ground than she anticipated:

...I’ve communicated more over the last year with parents whose beliefs regarding their child’s autism run the gamut and yet somehow, we’ve managed to fairly easily work together to try to advocate for others in need and to forge friendships, as well, based on the mutual desire to make the world a better place for our children. It’s refreshing and heartwarming to realize that we have common interests that rise above the questions of causation.