Pair of Miracles, A

A Story of Autism, Faith, and Determined Parenting

Karla Akins

• Publisher: Kregel Publications
• eBook ISBN:
  9780825487828
• Year: 2017

"A parent's gripping journey of awareness, acceptance, and appreciation of her two boys dealing with significant challenges brought on by autism."
--Stephen Mark Shore, EdD
When Karla Akins hoped that her autistic sons could learn to read and function independently, doctors warned her that those expectations would never be met. She set out to prove that, despite those warnings, all things are possible through God.
Laced with humor and compassion, A Pair of Miracles is the heartwarming story of her journey rearing adopted twin sons, each diagnosed with autism and fetal alcohol disorder. This is more than a moving biography from a mom on the front lines, however. It is a powerful tool, full of practical help for parents, educators, and church members working with children who have intellectual disabilities, speech impairments, and other limitations on the autism spectrum. It is also a challenge to the church to welcome and celebrate all the members of their congregation, no matter their abilities.
Thanks to Karla's determination, faith, and unconditional love--and contrary to the doctors' predictions--her adult twins are now able to function independently in many ways. They help their dad install pools, do carpentry work, and serve in the church as ushers, sound engineers, and children's ministry workers.
For parents seeking hope, answers, and peace, Karla leads the way to all three down a path she's already been.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• 1 The Call
• 2 Sea of Grief
• 3 God Is Up to Something Good
• 4 What Is Autism?
• 5 Autism Goes to School
• 6 The Devil Is a Bully but Your Child Has an Advocate
• 7 Not an Island
• 8 Make the Screaming Stop
• 9 Communicating and Connecting
• 10 The Doctor Is In—Or Out
• 11 Diets, Vaccines, and Medications
• 12 Public, Private, or Homeschool?
• 13 Little Cottage School on the Prairie
• 14 Home for School
• 15 Meaningfully Engaged in Community
• 16 Family Matters
• 17 The Importance of Prayer
• 18 The Church’s Call to Autism Ministry
• 19 Created to Serve
• 20 Pie in the Sky
• Appendix A: Occupational Therapy and Teaching Strategies
• Appendix B: Reinforcers and Rewards for School and Home
• Appendix C: Fidget Toys
• Appendix D: Functional Skills Checklist
• Appendix E: Further Resources
• Notes