Autism Runs Away: Book 2 of the School Daze Series

School Daze #2

by Sharon A. Mitchell

Ethan is only in grade one and already has been kicked out of one school due to his tantrums and pattern of running away when in a panic. Now, his mom's enrolled him in a new school but remains glued to her phone, waiting for the call to tell her to come pick him up, that they can't handle him, that they don't know what to do with a child who has autism. How can she trust these strangers to look after her son, just one small child among hundreds, when he has run from own parents so very many times? They don't know the terror of losing your child in a mall or watching him run blindly into traffic. What started as a fun chase game when Ethan was a toddler has turned into a terrifying deviation. The adults in his life never know when he might take off. Rather than attaching an adult to his side to keep him safe, this new teacher talks about calming strategies and choices. Do they not realize what could happen if Ethan flees the building? The impact of a car on one small body? Sara is about to learn if this new school is up to the challenge. Meet Kyle, Mel, Ben and the other characters you got to know in the Amazon bestseller Autism Goes to School. See what they've been up to in the last year and how they join forces to help Ethan. Then, return to Madson School to see if Manny, a child with severe autism belongs in their midst. Read Manny's story in Autism Belongs. Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell has worked as teacher, counselor, psychologist and consultant for several decades. Her Masters and Ph.D. degrees focussed on autism spectrum disorders and helping kids to reach as high a level of independence as possible. One in sixty-eight American children has an autism spectrum disorder and one in every forty-two boys. Every teacher will have a child with autism in their classroom. Every coach will meet a child with autism. If autism has not touched your family, it will affect your friends or neighbors. When parents receive the news that their child has autism, they spend countless hours researching the subject, usually at night, after an exhausting day. There is a lot of information out there, much of it by competent authorities. But after a hard day of work and family responsibilities, who wants to read a textbook? What if you could just read a good story and still gain ideas to try? Yes, life with autism has it's struggles, but there are strengths as well and the fun parts that any family experiences. So, the novel "Autism Goes to School" was born - a story about a single dad doing the best he can with his five year old son. The book's full of the challenges inherent in autism plus strategies that make life easier for all concerned. It's followed by Autism Runs Away. When six year old Ethan gets overwhelmed, he flees blindly. One school has already asked him to leave, fearing that they can't keep him safe. Will his new school be up to the challenge? Book 3 in the series, Autism Belongs, is about Manny and his family. Manny is nonverbal and as he has grown, so does his level of aggression. His parents cope the best the can, remaining cocooned in their home, tiptoeing around their son. When he's invited to go to school, his parents can't believe that he'd belong. In Autism Talks and Talks, Karen is a highly verbal 12 year old who find social situations hard. Join the kids and staff of Madson School as they learn and grow and welcome others with special needs into their midst. The fifth book in the series, Autism Grows Up, shows what life too often becomes for high functioning young adults on the spectrum, and ways to make positive changes. Autism Boxed Set - Purchase Autism Goes to School, Autism Runs Away and Autism Belongs e-books packaged together for one low price. Prequel to Autism Goes to School (coming in 2017) What were the teen years like for Jeff? What led Mel down the career path she has taken? Find out their early stories in the Prequel to Autism Goes to School. The Autism Goes to School Workbook

148 pages, Paperback

Published December 2, 2016

About the author

Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell lives on a farm, with her nearest neighbor several miles away. Doesn't that seem like the ideal setting to spark the imagination? She takes long walks with her hundred-pound German Shepherd dogs, Pickles and Dill. (She didn't name them - don't blame her).

Her newest work are clean, contemporary, western romances in The Farmers of Goodrich County series.

She's working on her eighth psychological thriller novel for the When Bad Things Happen series.

Besidestfive short stories tied to that series, she's written six novels, each featuring an autistic child or young adult. Two nonfiction books accompany that autism series.

Sharon's been a teacher, counselor, psychologist and consultant for decades and continues to teach university classes to soon--to-be teachers and administrators.

Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell is author of the psychological thriller series When Bad Things Happen:
·GONE
·TRUST
·SELFISH
- INSTINCT
-REASONS WHY
-MINE
-SANCTUM
·YOUNG ANNA (a short story)
·Anything for Her Son (prequel short story)

Western Romances:
- The Farmer Takes a Wife
-The Farmer Says I Do
- The Farmer's Christmas Duty
- In Case of Rain

She's also written a series of six novels, each featuring a child or young adult on the autism spectrum:
·Autism Goes to School
·Autism Runs Away
·Autism Belongs
·Autism Talks and Talks
·Autism Grows Up
·Autism Goes to College
·Autism Box Set- Books 1-3

In addition, there are two nonfiction books:
·Autism Questions Parents Ask & the Answers They Seek
·Autism Questions Teachers Ask & the Answers They Seek

Reviews

[Rustina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This is the second book in the series . I also enjoyed reading this book. Nice to learn about all types of autism.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

How I wish that I had learned more about autism earlier. I will continue to read more by this author.

[Pete Hartley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this book had been available thirty years ago. A parent faced with a diagnosis of autism for their child is thrown into a whirlpool of bewildered anxiety. This book would certainly have helped to calm the nerves and restore some optimism. There is a great deal more information available today than in the 1980s but some parents, siblings, teachers, carers and social workers will find this book an especially endearing introduction to the general challenges facing those living and working with autistic youngsters.

The book puts into practice one of the strategies it advocates – the notion of explaining via a ‘social story’ and so it presents a somewhat unusual structure packaging a great deal of factual information and guidance into a fictional framework. Those looking just for the fiction – in essence a contemporary romance - may find the frequent and deep excursions into autistic problems and strategies somewhat frustrating, and similarly those looking for a quick self-help guide may find the fictional spine to be an unwanted divergence. Others will really like the splicing of the two strands.

At times the narrative framework edges towards the trite, but on another level, it can be seen to make one of the most important points of all – that the characteristics so problematic when amplified in autistic people are also found at less unusual intensities in all of us.
Similarly, just when the remedies and strategies seem to be veering towards the idyllic, the author uses her experienced characters to remind us that the condition is for life, has no cure and will always precipitate the unwanted and unpleasant. She does, however, sustain the positive and encouraging perspective, and correctly reassure that, with persistence, improvements will happen.

One of the more startling claims made is that the very parents who feel they are ignorant and helpless are, in fact, the experts. They are the ones with the evidence that is needed to draw up the best procedures for helping their children and themselves. All the examples dealt with in here ring true – especially the lengthy section detailing the drawbacks of eating out as a family – and it is this kind of considered pragmatism that carries so much value for those searching for something approaching domestic normality.

As with the suggested strategies for autistic people, this book is not for everyone. It is not even for everyone seeking guidance regarding autism or childcare, but some people in that situation will find it educational, useful and empowering. It doesn’t claim to resolve all autistic difficulties, but it does contain a very helpful road map through a good deal of the essential autistic landscape, a significant stock of efficacious advice, and useful links to additional guidance and resources.

[Candy Robosky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autism runs continues to entertain and educate
ByCandyon August 3, 2017
Verified Purchase
Dr. Mitchell continues to give a wealth of information about how to work with students and parents when dealing with autism and other disabilities. I love seeing how Ethan grows and how true to life so many others show their feelings about the struggles families deal with on a daily basis. I appreciate how she continues to tie Kyle and his story in with a new story without confusing the reader with too many storylines. Can't wait to read the other three in the series.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The things are different, then more happens, the sounds are closer and louder, what to do?!

Seeing things from an autistic persons viewpoint opens up a large door toward understanding. This story and the one before it take the scientific to the real. I can read the study but actually feel the reality of autism. I certainly could have used this many years ago in actual situations. Still I'm very drawn to finding better understanding yet. Good, readable, interesting!

[Deborah Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to learn. Entertaining fiction with value.

I am so excited about this series. Dr. Mitchell does a great job of bringing characters on the autism spectrum to life and educating us on the wide variances of characteristics and techniques to help improve life for everyone involved. And the best part is you aren't trying to stay awake reading a textbook because the story line is a page turner! Thanks for helping us better understand each other.

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so enjoying the way that Sharon Mitchell is writing about these different families dealing with autism. In this book I see the parents needing to better understand how to help their son. Learning for both child and parents. I like too how some of the characters are the same but you see a different side of them. While Sharon enters a whole new set of characters for us to get to know.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autism Runs Away

Wonderful second book in the series. Well written with wonderful characters. The ending seemed kind of rushed but other then that I loved it.

[L.C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review is available on my YouTube channel.

I review examples of autistic characters based on five categories. The scores for each category are listed below.

Review Summary:

Overall Opinion: 4/5
Clarity of Autism: 5/5
Stereotype or Person: 2/5
Accurate Autism: 3/5
Storylines: 2/5
Respect 4/5
Total: 3/5

Full review is available on my YouTube channel.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, this author seems to be able to figure out the autism mind quite well. The way it is explained is done in a way that those who don't have autism should have a better idea about what takes place with those of us who are on the autism spectrum. I am so glad and grateful to see these books!
It is written in a non-clinical way, so readers are probably unaware of all they are learning. I am so thankful for this author taking the time to write such a true to life story about the struggles we sometimes face.

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethan, 1st grader, is kicked out of school. He's an autistic child.

We've fostered a few autistic kids. They live in their own world with a different language. The caretaker's task is to learn that language and world. This book taught adults how an autistic child thinks and lives. I loved this story and plan to read the next book in this series.