Local author donates book on autism to Meade County Public Library
Submitted Article Kate Thomas, author of “Grandparenting a Child with Autism: A Search for Help and Hope,” has donated a copy of the book to the Meade County Public Library. The book is the story of how Kate and her husband, Wally Thomas, have dedicated themselves to searching for information and help for their granddaughter since she was diagnosed with autism 11 years ago. Autism is increasing rapidly today. In the 1980s, a ratio was one in 10,000 with autism. In the 1990s one person in 500 was diagnosed with the disability. Now the ratio is one person in 166 with autism. According to the Kentucky Department of Education, autism’s rate among children and youth in Kentucky has risen from 53 diagnosed cases to 1,586 cases in a recent 11-year period. Nancy Mitchum, Meade County director of special education, reports that as of 2005, there were 19 persons with autism in the Meade County school system. Autism in a neurological disorder that can impair communication, socialization and behavior. It is usually diagnosed during the first three years of life and is four times more common in boys than in girls. In “Grandparenting a Child with Autism: A Search for Help and Hope,” Kate Thomas shares candidly about the challenges of autism from birth through the diagnosis, treatment options, school struggles (and some victories), language and social skills development, dealing with a shattered dream and dreaming a new dream, and finding support systems and hope for the future. One chapter of the book is devoted to the church’s ministry to the disabled and another explains how any area can have a workshop for grandparents of children with autism. The book is available for checkout at the Meade County Public Library. It may also be purchased at Brandenburg United Methodist Church, in most local bookstores or by calling Kate Thomas at (270) 422-4897.
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Photo courtesy of Kate Thomas