Always Bring Your Sunglasses

And Other Stories from a Life of Sensory and Social Invalidation

De: Becca Lory Hector

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

What does growing up with autism truly feel like, and how can a parent best support their autistic child?

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.

great description of autism, annoying scratching aounds

The work itself is insightful, with the AI reading it only making a few errors. However, sometimes there is a squeaky, high pitch scratchy noise in the background. It's not too loud, but you'll notice it.

This what I needed to know

Becca Lory Hector opened up my eyes. This book has helped me immensely. Safe Foods, Sunglasses, headphones, as a parent of an autistic child I needed to have this book read years ago. Learning about autistic joy through Becca’s experiences has shattered my previous perceptions, and I am grateful that she was brave enough to share this! Have purchased multiple copies of this book and shared it other important people in my life

Excellent Information on Autism

While the AI generated voice was generally good it still not the same as a human voice. At times the inflections were off. But it was one of the better ones I’ve listened to.

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.

Outstanding, enlightening, and heartfelt

The authenticity and transparency of the author is unmatched. Her story of courage and tenacity as she navigated her first three decades of life is admirable. In a world of chaos and overwhelm, she sought and found moments of autistic joy, providing just enough self-preservation to meet another day. Wow!
A must read for everyone!

Appreciation for sharing your perspective and your mother’s too.

I really appreciated your story of your experience as an unidentified child in school as I too had an unidentified son. Made me better understand what my son experienced and why he had issues during school especially in high school. I did not handle his uniqueness as well as the author’s mom and did the best I could and what I thought was right for my son. The author talks about her mother’s feelings too. “We did not know and wished we did know!!” Now that we do know I am doing everything I can to learn and change which has immensely improved my relationship with my son. Thank you so much for sharing!

Good Info on Autism

This is good for anyone dealing with autism in either their child or themselves. It's interesting and accessible info. The AI narration is also not that bad.

The direct honesty

As a late-diagnosed Autistic man, I found much recognition and relief from this quick read, highly recommended for all those who have autistic friends and family in their lives.

A must read if You have a kid like that

The book was good - I have a child with Asperger, and I have it a bit myself too. And I was glad to hear so many things that I have done correctly - and got a few notes where I can be better at.
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.

Power Packed!!

As the Mom of an amazing son, now in his late twenties and recently diagnosed as high functioning I found this educational, inspiring and motivational. I’m impressed by the author’s ability to pack so much into such a quick read. It will be a valuable tool in helping people understand that those with autism are not broken, they don’t need to be fixed, just understood and accommodated. Like any good book, this left me wanting to hear more details. As a Mom, I would love to sit down to share a coffee and chat with her Mom. I was pleasantly surprised by the AI narration, a few blips but overall quite pleasant.