A special kind of normal [Hardcover]

Carolyn Betts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1983

This powerful memoir shows the effects of Autism on the author, her child, and her family. It demonstrates the cohesive bond that must exist among family members, educators, therapists, and medical practitioners for the autistic child to develop. For Carolyn Betts, who faced Autism before it became understood as the epidemic it is today, the task was doubly difficult. Professionals barely had a name for the condition, let alone answers. As a paarent, she had no roadmap. Ms. Betts learned that honesty was liberating. Admitting that there were no answers freed her-and the professionals with the courage to do so as well-to be open to the wonders of whatever turned out to be "normal" in such special circumstances. This book reveals a gift of destiny that surpasses ordinary comprehension.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 151 pages
• Publisher: Scribner; First Edition edition (1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684177781
• ISBN-13: 978-0684177786
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,989,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carolyn Betts was born in Pittsburg, Texas in 1948, and decided at a very early age that the universe was her playground and purpose for continual learning; and that she would make contributions to life for which all human beings might benefit. Her amazing career blossomed during her parenting years. She credits her two beautiful children, first child and only son challenged by autism, for educating her in a manner which is available by no other didactical source. She looked at the world and saw images of herself.

Carolyn has a B.A Degree in Organizational Development, and a M.A. Degree in Psychology with an Academic Certificate in Life Transitions Coaching, as she is now a Life Transitions Specialist. Both degrees were earned at Regis University, in Colorado. She has served by appointment of several Governors Councils on Developmental Disabilities, as an advisor to President Reagan via her book, and on the Governors Council on Family Youth and Children. In 2008 she received a scholarship for, and completed Mediation Training from the Colorado State Bar Association. She is an instructor with Partnership status with the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, a member of the American Business Women's Association, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Hill Springs Learning Center.

Carolyn believes that "When you walk with purpose, you will collide with your destiny."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Place For Jeff, July 27, 2005

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A special kind of normal (Hardcover)

When Carolyn Betts' first child, Jeff, was born on July 8, 1970 he faced immediate challenges. Betts was then in the process of ending a marriage and faced eviction from her Amarillo, TX apartment. Newly divorced and evicted, Betts and Jeff move in with her family as they struggle to make ends meet.

Fate intervenes when Betts meets Larry, whom she later marries. Their daughter, Trice was born in February of 1972 and it was during this time that Jeff's autistic behavior became more pronounced. Nonverbal for most of his life, Jeff was enrolled in a state school day program at age two. He remained in that program until 1976 when Larry was transferred to Arizona.

After butting heads with educational bureaucrats, Jeff is finally enrolled in a satisfactory day program. He uses some sign language; is officially toilet trained on June 14, 1977 and enjoys a class trip to the San Diego Zoo. Although he makes progress in some areas, his behavior remained severely autistic. He also had violent episodes including stool smearing that caused him to be restrained.

Desperate, the boy's mother and stepfather finally have him declared a ward of the state so as to gain financial support for his care and education. Once so declared, Jeff was then enrolled in the Deveraux School.

This obscure gem of a book provides a good, hard look at life with a child who has an especially severe form of autism and the resources that were available at the time. The one thing that underscores the book is Betts' and Larry's love for Jeff and Trice. A well written and much needed book, it emphasizes the need for more provisions for the severely autistic population.