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Parenting Girls on the Autism Spectrum: Overcoming the Challenges and Celebrating the Gifts Paperback – 15 Mar. 2012
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length256 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherJessica Kingsley Pub
- Publication date15 Mar. 2012
- Dimensions15.2 x 1.6 x 22.8 cm
- ISBN-101849058938
- ISBN-13978-1849058933
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Product description
Review
Riley-Hall comes across as a strong, loving mother who has much to share and her experiences and outlook would no doubt be an inspiration to many. Author: asteens
Eileen Riley-Hall has produced a book full of pride but without a hint of vanity. This is a mother whose pride in her, each very different, daughters jumps off the page...I felt I'd got to know a family, was given a glimpse into a loving relationship between a devoted mum and her girls and was left wanting to get to know them better still. For this reason and that Eileen Riley-Hall's voice is a much needed one of balance and pride, I'm hoping for a follow up. Author: Autismum blog
If you have a daughter with autism or Asperger's syndrome, this book will be your primary source of information and inspiration as well as becoming your 'best friend' who understands and supports you. Author: Tony Attwood, Clinical Psychologist and author of The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome
Eileen Riley-Hall, a parent of two girls on the autism spectrum, has demonstrated with great clarity the differences between girls and boys on the spectrum. Her book addresses the complexities of girls being a 'minority in a minority group'. Without doubt her book is inspiring, positive and practical providing excellent tips on living with, understanding and supporting girls on the spectrum. A must read for all of us who care about this 'hidden' group. Author: Dr Judith Gould, Clinical Psychologist and Director of the NAS Lorna Wing Centre for Autism
Eileen shares with her readers the unique experiences of females with ASDs and the challenges that they and their families face; challenges such as minority status within a minority, social expectations for females to be good at social-communication, the risks of depression and anxiety, handling mean girls who bully in ways that are different than the bullying of boys, hygiene and fashion, and making friends. Whether your daughter is a spunky spitfire or a quiet little lady, you will find her somewhere in Eileen's words, and I guarantee that you will not feel alone. Author: from the Foreword by Shana Nichols, clinical psychologist, Owner and Director of the ASPIRE Centre for Learning and Development, New York State and author of Girls Growing Up on the Autism Spectrum.
Eileen Riley-Hall has encouraged her daughters to grow into beautiful and delightful young women and has developed distinctive strategies to develop their potential. Author: Gayle Buckley MD, paediatrician, New York state
Eileen Riley-Hall writes as an old hand, reassuring new recruits that they, too, will survive the shock of getting a diagnosis, and showing them how to be their own child's advocate, while maintaining a healthy balance in their own lives, and the on-going life of their family. This is a heartening, and at the same time no-nonsense look at what it means to be the parent of not one, but two daughters on the autism spectrum. The author speaks with the insight, compassion, and wisdom that only come from first-hand experience…enabling new parents to make better-informed choices on their own child's behalf. Author: James Coplan, MD, author, Making Sense of Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Book Description
From the Author
From the Back Cover
This book is a celebration of all the wonderful and unexpected gifts that having daughters on the autism spectrum can bring to your life. Each chapter explores a topic of concern, offering encouragement and guidance on common issues such as school, friendships, meltdowns, special gifts, family relationships, therapies and interventions. Having daughters on the spectrum presents unique and rewarding challenges and this book is packed with friendly advice and real life examples from a mother who has experienced it all first hand.
The hopeful perspective given in this book is guaranteed to offer much appreciated comfort to parents, grandparents and family member
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1st edition (15 Mar. 2012)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 256 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1849058938
- ISBN-13 : 978-1849058933
- Dimensions : 15.2 x 1.6 x 22.8 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 63,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 30 in Psychology & Psychiatry References
- 94 in Neurology
- 130 in Child Discipline (Books)
- Customer reviews:
About the author

Eileen Riley Hall is a veteran middle and high school English teacher with 25+ years of experience teaching an amazing cast of real-life characters. Her first book, entitled Parenting Girls on the Autism Spectrum: Overcoming the Challenges and Celebrating the Gifts, is based in part on her experience raising two spectacular daughters on the spectrum. Her daughters achieved amazing things through inclusive education, opportunities to participate in life, and lots of unconditional love. The Shape of Secrets is her second book, and her first foray into fiction. She frequently writes Op-Eds about education, autism, and empathy. She has been published in the New York Times, the New York Post, and her hometown newspaper The Times Union, in addition to multiple autism publications. In life and in literature, she loves championing the underdogs and seeing them triumph against the odds.
Ms. Hall runs a Facebook page for girls with autism and their parents: Girls and Autism, Parenting Girls on the Autism Spectrum. Visit to ask questions and offer advice to other families.
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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book informative and easy to understand with good explanations. They describe it as a well-written, reassuring guide that offers hope and practical advice for living with autism.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers appreciate the book's information quality. They find it informative with good explanations and tips. The book is well-researched and structured in a way that is easy to understand and relatable. Readers describe it as helpful and full of hope, offering sound advice.
"...There are good tips in this book and describes in detail the great achievements autistic kids can make...." Read more
"...This book was like switching a light on. Every chapter was describing my daughter and the difficulties she faces and the quirky and often amusing..." Read more
"...If you're after an advice manual, it seems to have interesting points and merits, but I wanted to refund it so couldn't read any more...." Read more
"Well written and informative but maybe a little too positive" Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and reassuring. They say it's well-written and beautifully structured.
"...Very easy to read...." Read more
"I've loved reading this book. It's extremely easy to read, and very informative and helpful to boot...." Read more
"Well written and informative but maybe a little too positive" Read more
"This book was so easy to read and is user friendly. It is definately a book that I will keep going back to...." Read more
Customers find the book uplifting and full of hope. They say it's reassuring and helpful for living with autism, recognizing the hard times. The author also mentions that autistic people have feelings and register everything said.
"...Most importantly it will educate you to understand that autistic people have feelings, they too register everything said around them, and they too..." Read more
"...this brings out some cruel situations but this book tells of hope and optimism but also never strays from the facts that there is no magic cure but..." Read more
"...However I have actually read this twice now as it filled me with such hope for what I sometimes feel is a desperate situation...." Read more
"...' on the Spectrum and so has a vast knowledge and understanding about living with autism...." Read more
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Top reviews
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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There are good tips in this book and describes in detail the great achievements autistic kids can make.
Most importantly it will educate you to understand that autistic people have feelings, they too register everything said around them, and they too learn everyday. Never give up hope and always be positive. I wish I had read this before as I would have had a much better understanding of Autism and how it can affect real people and what it can also give you that can't be taught or learned by non autistic kids or adults.
My daughter has high functioning autism and it is like an unseen disability and this brings out some cruel situations but this book tells of hope and optimism but also never strays from the facts that there is no magic cure but to enjoy your child and with your love they can have a special life.
My daughter will be off to university come September,will she cope ? No idea but never give up and that reminds me of something in the book that I thought was important and that was the part that said to be careful when speaking in front of your child about them, they certainly understand and take a literal thought and opinion even if you meant it slightly different.
Buy and enjoy
Top reviews from other countries
5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful!!! My Daughter was diagnosed with ...
5.0 out of 5 stars I Loved This Book!
One of the agencies we have tried to work with, which is considered the premier agency on autism in our community, seemed to us to have very little understanding of girls on the spectrum. But Eileen Riley-Hall has solid information about the differences between boys and girls on the spectrum. My daughter, it turns out, is much like Ms. Hall's older daughter, who is also an "Aspy" (quiet, shy, very bright, very creative, funny, musically and artistically talented).
I laughed and cried many times reading the book. It has a wonderful blend of optimism and authenticity. I was so inspired by the accomplishments of Ms. Hall's daughters that came as a result of her advocacy and positivity. At the same time, I was deeply moved by her honesty regarding the losses involved with parenting kids with autism. I was disarmed by her forthrightness and humility and I was inspired by her hope and tenacity.
4.0 out of 5 stars ... who speaks out against some of the quack "cures" recommended on some websites etc
5.0 out of 5 stars Must-read for parents of girls on the spectrum
The author's whole approach is calm, hopeful, balanced, thoughtful. She provides a lot of information on everything from testing and diagnosis, education, friends, treatments and therapies; to the internet, autism myths, gifts and talents, and getting through the tough times. Having two daughters on the spectrum, she focuses on the particular traits and needs of girls- which are quite different, in many cases, than those of boys.
Above all, she urges us to love, accept, and enjoy our daughters for who they are, without losing them behind the label or diagnosis, and to focus our concern on THEIR needs, not on the thoughts and opinions of others.
This is an absolute must-read if you are the parent, grandparent, or caregiver of a girl on the autism spectrum.





