Autism Book Review: Chicken Soup for the Soul - Children With Special Needs

Chicken Soup for the Soul - Children With Special Needs

Co-authors - Karen Simmons, Heather McNamara, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen


Most of us are familiar with the Chicken Soup For The Soul series, a seemingly inexhaustible storehouse of short essays and personal experiences designed to lend hope and support to a variety of challenging life situations. Co-authors, Jack Canfield, also in “The Secret”, Mark Victor Hansen, Heather McNamara have all been instrumental in helping make the world an easier more loving place for those seeking safe haven for their hearts and minds in an increasingly demanding world.

Author Karen Simmons, a mother of two special needs children and founder of Autism Today™ joined the “Co-author” team for a brand new Chicken Soup book called “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs. When the Chicken Soup publishing group decided to do this project they were astonished by the submissions - a record 5000 stories which still continue to roll in despite the expired submission date!

Aphorisms, quotes and cartoons are scattered liberally throughout this collection of tales about living and giving, growing and knowing. The stories came from so many backgrounds and perspectives, dealing with issues such as adjusting, gratitude, breaking barriers, independence, and community. Contributions came from everyone – parents, siblings, teachers and people with disabilities, giving us eloquent and exhilarating insights into their profound lives. The following are a precious few examples from this new book which is so chock full of personal success stories, I wanted to include them all!

Having just given birth, Nelma was distressed to find her arms empty. The hospital staff had whisked her baby boy away before she could see him. The doctor came in and explained there were problems and felt the parents might wish to consider an institution for their newborn. Insisting on seeing him immediately, the child was brought in. Nelma cradled him, smelled his new baby smell, and cooed to him. Then she carefully unwrapped the blanket revealing his tiny body with no legs and underdeveloped arms and hands. She caressed his skin, smiled into his alert trusting eyes, smiled softly and said, “Oh. Is that all?” Young Jerry was taken home and treated as equal to his 6 siblings. He grew up, went to college, met his best friend and married her. He and his bride proceeded to have five children. And when their eldest daughter had a school friend over for dinner one night, the young guest looked under the table and then announced ‘Your dad doesn’t have any legs’. The daughter looked under the table, examined the situation, then righted herself and said, ‘Your dad doesn’t have a wheelchair’. What a poignant example of acceptance – from generation to generation.

Reading these heartwarming stories from ‘Chicken Soup For the Soul, Children With Special Needs’ is more than nice idea – it really is grandma’s chicken soup. Who has not been touched or influenced by a child with special needs? You’ve probably been in a public place and witnessed some parent trying to cope with their offspring’s sudden and uncontrollable tantrum, while trying to ignore the stares and rude comments of onlookers. Did you think to yourself that the child may have some sort of developmental challenge or did you think about their terrible parenting skills? I know I have not always been as compassionate as I would like.

And there lies the true beauty of this book. It’s an opportunity to examine the real world of someone with special needs no matter how far removed you may think your life is from that reality. And if you are a caregiver of a special needs child, then you will truly identify with these snapshots of peoples lives! I defy anyone to read ‘Chicken Soup For the Soul, Children With Special Needs’ and not have their heart opened to a new love for diversity in humankind. Who among us has not felt incapable, confused, misunderstood or unloved? Truly I think we are all special needs in a way. Aren’t we?

You can grab copy of ‘Chicken Soup For the Soul, Children With Special Needs’ by following this link.