A Stranger Among Us: Hiring In-Home Support for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Other Neurological Differences [Paperback]

Lisa Ackerson Lieberman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1931282749 | ISBN-13: 978-1931282741 | Publication Date: June 14, 2005

Making the decision to bring a stranger into your home to care for your child is a difficult one. However, after reading Lieberman s book, the process of hiring in-home care providers will seem much less intimidating. Based on the author s many years of experience both as a parent and a professional, this one-of-a-kind book starts out discussing the pros and cons of hiring in-home care providers for children with autism spectrum and other neurological disorders. The author breaks down the process and takes the reader step-by-step through the various stages, starting with assessing the needs of the child and the family, including their core values, to advertising for, interviewing, hiring and training a care provider. Even parents who are only looking for occasional respite care will find this a valuable resource.

Editorial Reviews

Review

For anyone choosing to hire an in-home provider, this book fills a crucial gap in the available literature. -- Jonah Edelman, executive director, Stand for Children

For anyone choosing to hire an in-home provider, this book fills a crucial gap in the available literature. --Jonah Edelman, executive director, Stand for Children

The author has provided families with a true road map on how to go about this critical process." -- Jeffrey L. Strully, president, Autism National Committee & executive director, Jay Nolan Community Services

The author has provided families with a true road map on how to go about this critical process.” --Jeffrey L. Strully, president, Autism National Committee & executive director, Jay Nolan Community Services

This book insightfully guides the reader through the multifaceted approach necessary to find, and keep an in-home care provider. -- Stephen Shore, board president of the AspergerÂ’s Association of New England

This book insightfully guides the reader through the multifaceted approach necessary to find, and keep an in-home care provider. --Stephen Shore, board president of the AspergerÂ’s Association of New England

For anyone choosing to hire an in-home provider, this book fills a crucial gap in the available literature. --Jonah Edelman, executive director, Stand for Children

The author has provided families with a true road map on how to go about this critical process.” --Jeffrey L. Strully, president, Autism National Committee & executive director, Jay Nolan Community Services

About the Author

LISA LIEBERMAN, MSW, LCSW, is a trainer, writer and speaker with over twenty-seven years of professional experience. Along with a private psychotherapy practice, Lisa travels nationally to present on issues related to living with disability in the family. She has been married for twenty-six years to a man with multiple sclerosis. Together they parent Jordan, a seventeen-year-old son with autism.

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: Autism Asperger Publishing Company (June 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931282749
• ISBN-13: 978-1931282741
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,139,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource for Anyone Hiring In-Home Support, August 4, 2005

By 

Michelle Huber (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Stranger Among Us: Hiring In-Home Support for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Other Neurological Differences (Paperback)

A "Stranger Among Us" is very well written, with easy to follow examples and even worksheets to greatly assist with the hiring process. I especially appreciated how the author allows us to benefit from her "hands-on" experience in her own household, and also includes input from some of the providers that she has employed. Also the reader benefits from extensive research put into this book regarding boundaries that should be established between you and the "In-Home Provider" .

The information and insite offered in this book is amazing. This book illustrates how to endure the difficult and time-consuming process of hiring the right person for the job who will also 'fit" with your family, how to see if the support is working as well as expected and also includes a chapter "When It's Time To Say Goodbye".

A "Stranger " Among Us is a must for anyone who intends to hire "in-home" help, whether you require special support for disabilities or to hire someone to assist with the everyday tasks of a busy household.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed and Diverse, July 22, 2005

By 

Kristi A. Sakai (Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Stranger Among Us: Hiring In-Home Support for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Other Neurological Differences (Paperback)

FINALLY, a book that understands the true needs of families and how to help us proactively help ourselves. One of the most difficult dilemas when you have a loved one or child with special needs, whether medical or neurological, is how do you find qualified, caring caretakers? So often as family members we find this task so daunting that we choose not to seek outside help. This book is so reassuring, it gives you the tools to find qualified care, but also the right people for YOUR family.

The thing that strikes me about this book is not only how detailed in strategies it is, but how respectful it is about different kinds of people and their diverse needs. One chapter in particular that stands out is Defining Your Family Culture and Needs. This author recognizes that families have different values, and she discusses how having caretakers who match those values can create harmony, or finding caretakers who are different can enhance a family's life by exposing them to a new way to look at the world. It celebrates the benefits of both and the right to make the choice that is right for your family.

This book has step by step instructions about the various ways to go about hiring caretakers, in and out of home, the strategies you can implement in order to find the best match for your family, there is also a strong emphasis on the role of communication and having mutual respect. She recognizes that a caretaker can become part of your family (which we have certainly found to be true.)I could go on, but it is so incredibly detailed that I couldn't possibly do it justice. This book takes all the guess work out of finding a caretaker, all the things I have wondered and worried about facing when our current caretaker eventually move on to other endeavors. The book makes facing that so much less frightening. I HIGHLY recommend this book not only for parents of children with special needs, such as myself, but as a template for anyone seeking qualified care for their loved ones, whether they have disabilities or not. This book should be on hand in every library and every program that works with families in order to provide an understanding of the need for qualified care and how to how to provide in home supports for those families. I already have two copies and am planning to buy more to make sure our local therapy centers have them in their libraries.

Kristi Sakai parent of 3 with autism, author of
Finding Our Way: Practical Solutions for Creating a Supportive Home and Community for the Asperger Syndrome Family

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sound advice and compassionate counsel..., September 23, 2005

By 

Nancy R. Bryant, PhD (West Linn, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Stranger Among Us: Hiring In-Home Support for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Other Neurological Differences (Paperback)

"A 'Stranger' Among Us" is no less than a fabulous resource. The book's title is accurate, but quite modest: Though written with a focus on finding support persons for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, this book is nonetheless a valuable guide for families of persons with physical challenges, mental health difficulties, dementia, and serious learning/cognitive limitations as well. This book has a place in the library of any professional or agency serving challenged individuals and their families, and I heartily recommend it to family members and prospective support personnel alike. The author's personal experiences, professional training, extensive knowledge, and abundant compassion combine to provide a tool that is at once accessible, accurate, and wise. This book is a "must-have" resource, a generous and courageous gift.