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Hard Landings: Looking Into the Future for a Child With Autism
"A game-changing exploration of what the future holds for the first generation of mainstreamed neurodiverse kids that is coming of age"--
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2021
5 people are currently reading
1221 people want to read
About the author
Cammie McGovern
13 books648 followersCammie McGovern was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford and received the Nelson Algren Award in short fiction. Her work has been published in Redbook, Seventeen, Glimmer Train, TriQuarterly, and other publications.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 21, 2022
This is such a moving, profound, and hopeful book. With personal stories and thorough research, McGovern brings us into the world of a family with an adult autistic son and shows us how, over time, our society has changed for and gained from people with IDD. It's a real eye-opener, and truly beautiful.
January 29, 2022
This book is excellent. As a mother of a young adult son on the autism spectrum, I appreciate the clear, compassionate, and practical way the author presents material. The two major subjects researched and discussed are jobs and housing for the disabled. The book is really well researched but still feels conversational and personal. She shows how and why the pendulum has swung from institutional, large settings for disabled folks, to government funding only for community based, small group housing and integrated employment. She presents lots of examples of ways that both extremes fail to achieve what we all want for our children: to be valued, to enjoy life, and to have community. Lots of positive, in between examples are given too. The good ones all have something in common, heart of community.
August 25, 2021
This is a very clearly written book, with no definite answers, which is a hard fact to accept. There is a lot of history given here, and lots of personal stories of Ethan and his parents' triumphs and things they came to accept. There are a lot of clearly defined strategies that are working, or can work, that take an enormous amount of time and effort, and unfortunately need someone to fight bureaucratic battles constantly. Opinions are given by many people as to the coming state of IDD persons, as well as the elderly population of our country. It's a sobering account, but shows a lot of hope and thought for the future
August 17, 2021
I won this ARC in an Instagram giveaway from the author!
What I loved: I love McGovern’s writing! I am a big fan of her YA and MG fiction. Her writing flows beautifully and she writes about her own family’s experience and the experience of other families w kids who have IDD (intellectual/developmental disability) with compassion, humor, and love. I love how much of the book is focused on ways that parents can help their autistic children or other children with IDD make decisions for themselves. I am fascinated by the history of special education and institutionalization and this book does a great job exploring the ways the current laws help and hurt families. I especially loved learning about innovative programs around the country that find ways to employ people with IDD in ways that harness their strengths (obsessive attention to detail for example). In short, there’s lots to like in here!
What I didn’t like: I wish the book had chapter headings and was more clearly organized. I wanted to be able to look at a table of contents and see exactly where each section was. Maybe it’s bc McGovern hasn’t ever written NF, but I suspect it has more to do with the publishing company/editor. I also think the sub title is misleading. This book is not only for parents of autistic kids; so many other disabilities are mentioned in here like Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, etc.
Overall: EXCELLENT. Must read for special educators and for parents of kids w IDD so they can better understand options for the future in advance of that “hard landing.”
Favorite quote: “Ethan and his friends remind me to take pleasure in what’s at hand. More importantly, they offer this affirmation to each other, a dozen times a day, in large and small ways. In prioritizing connections and living in the moment, imaginatively writing their own success stories, they model those things, too.
What I loved: I love McGovern’s writing! I am a big fan of her YA and MG fiction. Her writing flows beautifully and she writes about her own family’s experience and the experience of other families w kids who have IDD (intellectual/developmental disability) with compassion, humor, and love. I love how much of the book is focused on ways that parents can help their autistic children or other children with IDD make decisions for themselves. I am fascinated by the history of special education and institutionalization and this book does a great job exploring the ways the current laws help and hurt families. I especially loved learning about innovative programs around the country that find ways to employ people with IDD in ways that harness their strengths (obsessive attention to detail for example). In short, there’s lots to like in here!
What I didn’t like: I wish the book had chapter headings and was more clearly organized. I wanted to be able to look at a table of contents and see exactly where each section was. Maybe it’s bc McGovern hasn’t ever written NF, but I suspect it has more to do with the publishing company/editor. I also think the sub title is misleading. This book is not only for parents of autistic kids; so many other disabilities are mentioned in here like Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, etc.
Overall: EXCELLENT. Must read for special educators and for parents of kids w IDD so they can better understand options for the future in advance of that “hard landing.”
Favorite quote: “Ethan and his friends remind me to take pleasure in what’s at hand. More importantly, they offer this affirmation to each other, a dozen times a day, in large and small ways. In prioritizing connections and living in the moment, imaginatively writing their own success stories, they model those things, too.
November 7, 2021
Really great insights into what the outlooks and options are for adults in the U.S. living with autism or other intellectual and developmental disabilities. At times depressing, at times inspiring, always eye-opening.
September 3, 2021
Do NOT be put off by the title! The subject matter (children with disabilities facing a cutoff of services after they turn 21) is indeed difficult for many of us to think about, whether or not we have such children ourselves, but McGovern does a GREAT job not only laying out the difficulties but also making it clear how much progress has been made in last thirty years. You will both learn a lot and be inspired. The unique double perspective both on McGovern's own autistic son and the wider community of disabled people make this account truly remarkable. No other book I know of treats such a wide range of children, not to mention the humore, grace, and sensitivity that McGovern shows throughout. Highly recommended!
October 28, 2021
The book was really terrific. It is a personal and also well researched and considered look at the prospects available for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism to live more independently.
September 2, 2021
Both Eye-Opening and a Big Hug
This book is required reading for every family with a differently-wired member. We all need the historic perspective of how people with differences have been treated by our society — the bad and the good. We need to respect and honor the pioneers of innovative programs and housing options. And Cammie McGovern is a marvelous storyteller weaving her parenting experience with her prolific research in such an engaging way. I am so thankful for the perspective her book gives me and expect I will be referring to it often in our future.
This book is required reading for every family with a differently-wired member. We all need the historic perspective of how people with differences have been treated by our society — the bad and the good. We need to respect and honor the pioneers of innovative programs and housing options. And Cammie McGovern is a marvelous storyteller weaving her parenting experience with her prolific research in such an engaging way. I am so thankful for the perspective her book gives me and expect I will be referring to it often in our future.
January 25, 2022
I received this book as part of a giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I do not have a child or family member that has been diagnosed with an IDD, so I cannot speak to how this book reads for a family member. I do work with families where the children can get an autism diagnosis right before they graduate from our program and my brother and sister-in-law have worked at Misercordia for years.
Frankly, I had no idea how hard it is for families to advocate for their adult children with IDD. I (wrongly) assumed that there were programs like Misercordia all over the country. It is also very clear that in attempts to protect people with IDD, the regulations might have gone too far in the wrong way making community living a challenge.
I had also not realized how hard the job situation might be for people with IDD. It’s been 18 years since I worked as a job coach with some of the individuals working in a closed work space where they did piece work. I had no idea that this is another thing that is getting shut down.
I don’t know that I’d recommend this book for families that don’t have a personal connection with IDD, but I do think these are all important issues that ALL people should know about. I also know these are issues that I will be more aware of in the future.
I do not have a child or family member that has been diagnosed with an IDD, so I cannot speak to how this book reads for a family member. I do work with families where the children can get an autism diagnosis right before they graduate from our program and my brother and sister-in-law have worked at Misercordia for years.
Frankly, I had no idea how hard it is for families to advocate for their adult children with IDD. I (wrongly) assumed that there were programs like Misercordia all over the country. It is also very clear that in attempts to protect people with IDD, the regulations might have gone too far in the wrong way making community living a challenge.
I had also not realized how hard the job situation might be for people with IDD. It’s been 18 years since I worked as a job coach with some of the individuals working in a closed work space where they did piece work. I had no idea that this is another thing that is getting shut down.
I don’t know that I’d recommend this book for families that don’t have a personal connection with IDD, but I do think these are all important issues that ALL people should know about. I also know these are issues that I will be more aware of in the future.
October 5, 2022
This is a non-fiction book discussion the systems and supports (and lack there of) for adults with Intellectual Disabilities in the USA. The author has an adult son with Autism. She found the school system offers many supports, but it many cases, does not prepare children for the world out there. She looks at supportive housing, and the distressing numbers of adults with ID in nursing homes and inappropriately housed. She investigates the Many Many challenges of finding and keeping jobs and the limitations within the systems that make employing individuals with ID more challenging than necessary. McGovern also looks at a lack of quality, accessible sexual education curricula. Although she found areas of great need, she also found a number of interesting and successful initiatives around the USA. She is hopeful that as inclusive education has become more of the norm, that this will rollover to inclusive workplaces and housing options. Great read for parents of individuals with Intellectual disabilities and for policy makers and employers.
December 15, 2022
This book is an important and honest look at the future for young adults with autism and other disabilities that need continued support. Interviewing people that have found what works and the limitations and obstacles they face. Most importantly was the question how do these young adults want to live fulfilling lives of their own. It is often different than societies goals for them, but not really different from how we all really want to live, accepted, loved and in a place we feel like we belong.
February 17, 2024
What a poignant, powerful book about a raising a child with autism (or other intellectual disabilities). From the historical perspective of insitutions to the modern realities of the "disability cliff" - when a child turns 22, this book should be a must-read for all educators - espeically special educators and people working in human services. Incredibly heartbreaking at times, yet leaves you motivated to create change. Really the book should be read by all who want to end discrimination --as disabled adults while protected under ADA, face a constant uphill battle.
June 2, 2022
A lot of great history, stories, and ideas around those with autism and others with IDDs (an acronym used a lot). It was entertaining, and poignant, and also acts as a testament of a mother's love for her son. I feel very informed after reading this.
I was going to add it to my favorites, but the sprinklings of progressive politics tainted the book for me a bit, especially her enthusiasm for transgenderism among those with IDDs. However I would still highly recommend.
I was going to add it to my favorites, but the sprinklings of progressive politics tainted the book for me a bit, especially her enthusiasm for transgenderism among those with IDDs. However I would still highly recommend.
April 17, 2022
Aptly titled!
Even though my little grandson just turned four, I feel like this book (Maybe not intentionally by the author) gave me permission to just enjoy my grandson. Not force him into therapies he clearly hates. (For the summer all therapies have been canceled and he is Happily swimming, swimming, swimming).
"...look at what we have without pining for more..." (Page 125)
Even though my little grandson just turned four, I feel like this book (Maybe not intentionally by the author) gave me permission to just enjoy my grandson. Not force him into therapies he clearly hates. (For the summer all therapies have been canceled and he is Happily swimming, swimming, swimming).
"...look at what we have without pining for more..." (Page 125)
November 5, 2022
A poignant look at the adult futures that persons on the spectrum face.
Thanks to LT for recommending me to read this, which gave me renewed impetus to do more/better, while taking heart that our challenges are faced by others too!
Thanks to LT for recommending me to read this, which gave me renewed impetus to do more/better, while taking heart that our challenges are faced by others too!
January 20, 2023
As a parent of a neurodiverse child, the question is always "What's Next?" This book expertly explores the history and potential future for our kids. What is best practice, what can we hope for, what can we do to ensure our kids are functioning participants in society? This book looks at it all!
March 26, 2021
I learned a lot and now I can't wait to learn more. This is a thoroughly researched, thought provoking book. Recommended.
August 14, 2021
Extremely well researched and brilliantly written, one of McGovern's best works to date.
August 14, 2021
Extraordinary writing: detailed, funny, meaningful and compelling. Whether you have a disabled child or not, we all have much to learn from this book.
May 3, 2022
Hard Landings can be hard reading, heartbreak and hope in equal measure. My son is 15 years older than Ethan and had different experiences but so much also applied.
November 29, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. It resonated with me because it told of realities, as well as opportunities and challenges that an ASD child growing up will have. It won’t be perfect, but just hearing from another parent who has really moved mountains for the community and her child, it took a lot of weight off my shoulders. Sometimes all the literature is overwhelming when you’re already overwhelmed, I feel like this is a must book though, it’s not literature, it’s real experience and reality, loved it.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews