Holmes Embracing the Autism Spectrum: Finding Joy & Hope Navigating the NeuroDiver

A faith integrated guide from personal and professional experience
1. Auflage 2023
ISBN: 979-8-3509-2437-4
Verlag: BookBaby
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 384 Seiten

Discover hope and understanding in 'Embracing the Autism Spectrum: Finding Hope & Joy Navigating the NeuroDiverse Family Journey ,' a guide for families, educators, and advocates navigating the world of neurodiversity. Dr. Stephanie C. Holmes and her family share personal insights as well, as Dr. Holmes' professional experience, to help you support, include, and minister to individuals on the autism spectrum. This is the first book of its kind to share autism and faith from each family member's perspective!

Autoren/Hrsg.

Holmes, Sydney

Holmes, Erica

Leseproben

About the Authors Stephanie C. Holmes was formerly a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of NC. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Campbell University, her Master’s in counseling from Liberty University and her doctorate in education from Abilene Christian University. She is an ordained minister, author, autism researcher, speaker, and certified autism specialist. When Sydney was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, her world and focus changed from a thriving marriage and family therapy practice to a world of Individualized Education Programs, 504 educational plans, and understanding how to help students and individuals with challenges and needs in the classroom and the church setting. Today, she pulls from personal as well as professional experience to focus on neurodiverse marriages and family systems. She is the owner and founder of Autism Spectrum Resources for Marriage & Family, LLC, and she and Dan are co-founders of The International Association of NeuroDiverse Christian Marriage, LLC and the podcast NeuroDiverse Christian Couples. Dan Holmes is a seasoned leader with a rich background in systems architecture, design, and consulting. He received his bachelor’s degree in management information systems from The University of Charlotte (UNCC at the time), and his Masters in computer science through The Georgia Institute of Technology (GT). In addition to his technical roles, he is a professional coach who guides Neurodivergent men, helping them harness their unique potential in personal and professional spheres. These dual roles allow him to integrate innovative thinking with empathy, fostering a culture of understanding and driving holistic growth. Dan is an ordained minister, Master Life Coach, and has served in church ministry through band ministry, small group leadership and board leadership. He received his own identification on the spectrum in 2019 and is a co-founder with Stephanie to The International Association of NeuroDiverse Christian Marriage, LLC and their podcast, NeuroDiverse Christian Couples. Sydney Holmes was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of 6, then reassessed in her teens with Autism, Level 1. She has not let her diagnosis become a crutch or an excuse to prevent her from achieving her goals in life. Sydney graduated with her bachelor’s degree in history and minored in education. She graduated with her Master of Arts in Public History and Post Baccalaureate in Museum Studies in 2022. She has since moved to the Midwest and landed a job in the museum field, which is just the latest and greatest on her impressive museum resume. Sydney hopes her story will inspire others in the autism community to reach their goals. Sydney is passionate about human trafficking awareness and promoting the rescuing of trafficking victims through her soap making ministry, Simple Suds by Syd, where she raises funds to give toward Project Rescue. She loves all things history and cats, especially her new emotional support kitten, Piper. Erica Holmes is a student and soon to be graduate of Lee University (2023) with a double major in Spanish and TESOL (teaching English as a second language) with a minor in linguistics. Erica is passionate about her friends, family and building community. She is focused on giving opportunities to people who are often overlooked and educating others on breaking poverty cycles through education and language resources. She has participated in translating a special edition of Exceptional Needs Today into Spanish as a translator and copy editor. She is looking forward to traveling the world and having new hiking adventures with her soon to be husband. Through over twenty-five years of pastoral ministry, I have journeyed with a number of couples in the challenges of infertility as well as developmental issues with their children. Each issue can be an overwhelming challenge to the faint of heart and the weary. However, I have rarely dealt with families who have encountered both challenges, yet I am privileged to have witnessed the grace of God in the life of the Holmes family as they overcame each of these issues with strength and dignity. Please understand that overcoming does not necessarily mean a “fairytale” ending. Instead, overcoming allows someone to arrive at a place where they can say with the old hymn of the church, “It is well with my soul.” I am confident that as you read this book, the same God who held the Holmes family within His grip of grace will be felt in your heart as well. Take hope and courage from the account of a real family as you see yourself in their struggle to make sense of the difficulties of life. Pastor, Dr. Mark Merrill The Holmes Pastor from Charlotte, NC
Former Georgia District Superintendent for the Assemblies of God.  Current Lead Pastor of Visalia First, Visalia, CA Embracing the Autism Spectrum: Finding Hope & Joy Navigating the NeuroDiverse Family Journey is a must-read for EVERY family with a child with special needs. You will laugh, cry, be angry, and be happy all at once as you can relate as Dr. Stephanie and Dan let you behind the curtain of their life and help you realize that YOU ARE NOT ALONE! I love the fact that you get to hear the perspective of a mom AND a dad and how that affected each of them. Having Erica share her journey was a huge blessing which allows you to better know how to help your neurotypical kids that are siblings. I loved Sydney being open and transparent about sharing her story and where she is now! As a parent of a child with special needs myself, I highly recommend this book to everyone! The fact that 26% of the US population today has a disability or special needs means that EVERYONE really knows someone who is affected, and this book will help you understand their world and know how you can be more supportive to families with special needs/disabilities. Let’s transform lives together through this book! Thank you, Dr Stephanie, Dan, Sydney, and Erica, for your transparency and willingness to help others understand! Love you all! Stephen “Doc” Hunsley, M.D. Executive Director/Founder SOAR Special Needs Embracing the Autism Spectrum: Finding Hope & Joy Navigating the NeuroDiverse Family Journey is a gift to any parent who has ever felt alone on this journey. We are reminded of God’s love and steadfast presence in our lives as well as the comfort of knowing we are walking a path many other families continue to travel. This is an honest and intimate account of how a diagnosis can alter your expectations of the world and yet help you see more clearly. Any family that has a member with a neurodivergent diagnosis will find refuge in these pages. Jeanetta Bryant Founder/CEO Abilities Workshop, Inc. Dr. Stephanie, Dan, Sydney & Erica remind us that our stories carry hope, and her family’s story is worth sharing for that reason alone. It is not easy to lay aside a professional veneer and share the reality of your story respectfully, sensitively, and honestly about all involved. Dr. Stephanie’s frankness is refreshing as she shares the impact of others looking the other way upon her daughter’s life. This book voices the Holmes family’s story about parenting a daughter with autism and how they became carriers of hope to others in similar situations. A must-read for anyone who cares! Leisa Williams, M.Ed. Author: Hope Wins - A Mothers Hope-filled Story for Her Autistic Son When the World Saw Only Hopelessness Our Christian schools and churches should represent the model our public schools and institutions emulate in welcoming and including children and adults with the full spectrum of disabilities or differences. Stephanie, Dan, Sydney and Erica Holmes inspire the Christian community to do better through sharing their family’s story. God is using their experiences as a comfort and encouragement to families impacted by autism and a catalyst for better ministry with neurodivergent individuals. Stephen Grcevich, MD President and Founder, Key Ministry Author of Mental Health and the Church: A Ministry Handbook for Including Children and Adults with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, and Other Common Mental Health Conditions As the parent of a special needs child, I have always spoken about how the unique challenges this journey can create problems and situations that parents of typical children cannot necessarily relate to. But even more so, the challenges that we face are exacerbated on all levels, so every aspect of our lives, in our marriages, our finances and even our faith, are constantly under pressure. In this book, Dr. Stephanie Holmes, Dan, Sydney and Erica in, Embracing the Autism Spectrum: Finding Joy & Hope navigating the NeuroDiverse Family System, do a remarkable job of highlighting all of these, demonstrating how these struggles can permeate all levels of our lives. With great transparency, they detail their family’s story, not only to highlight the common threads that unite us, but also show the incredible ways God worked through their family and provided hope and rescue when least expected. I highly recommend this book for any parent or family of special needs, especially those who need a fervent reminder of God’s promises to all of us. John Felageller Ministry Relations Manager (Joni and Friends Illinois) Special...