Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World
By Deborah Reber
Hot off the press, this book is a must read for any family raising the one in five child who is differently wired. This was an easy read and I found the heartfelt words both instructional and inspirational. Part one of the book details the story of Reber’s son Asher and explains the various differently wired diagnosis of ADHD, dyslexia, Aspergers, giftedness, anxiety, and sensory processing disorder. Part two covers the 18 “tilts”. I would recommend this book as a great resource for everyone – parents, grandparents, teachers, caregivers- not just those raising differently wired kids.
Today millions of kids are stuck in a world that doesn’t respect, support, or embrace who they really are. Their challenges are many. But for the parents who love them, the challenges are just as hard—struggling to find the right school, the right therapist, the right parenting group – while feeling isolated and harboring endless internal doubts about what’s normal, what’s not, and how to handle it all.
But now there’s hope. This bestselling author and mother is in the midst of an eye-opening journey with her son who is twice exceptional (he has ADHD, Asperger’s, and is highly gifted). Differently Wired is a how-to, a manifesto, a book of wise advice, and the best kind of been-there, done-that companion.
On the one hand it’s a book of saying NO, and how it’s time to say no to trying to fit your round-peg kid into society’s square holes, no to educational and social systems that don’t respect your child, no to the anxiety and fear that keep parents stuck. And then it’s a book of YES. By offering 18 paradigm shifts—what she calls “tilts”— Reber shows how to change everything.
Some of the “tilts” include:
- Get Out of Isolation and Connect
- Stop Fighting Who Your Child Is and Lean In
- Let Go of What Others Think
- Create a World Where Your Child Can Feel Secure
- Find Your People (and Ditch the Rest)
- Help Your Kids Embrace Self-Discovery
Through these alternative ways of being, discover how to stay open, pay attention, and become an exceptional parent to your exceptional child. In each “tilt” chapter, Reber offers reflections, suggestions for embracing the “tilt”, pro tips and a “start now” section with action items to implement the “tilt”.
About the author – Deborah Reber is a bestselling author, certified life coach, and speaker who has spent the past fifteen years writing inspiring books for women and teens. However, raising a twice-exceptional son and experiencing the heartaches, headaches, confusion, and unexpected gifts that is typical for parents raising these exceptional kids sparked a transformation in Debbie’s passion and led to a conscious shift from the realm of teen advocacy to the world of supporting the millions of parents who are raising unique kids. She launched TiLT Parenting – a website, podcast, and social media community – in April 2016, where she is building a community of supportive parents of neurodiverse children.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER – JEANETTE PERKINS
Jeanette Perkins is the grandmother of two adorable grandsons. She lives in beautiful St Pete Beach, FL. Jeanette is a new product reviewer for GRAND and is looking forward to reviewing lots of new and useful products for all us grandparents.
