Three Times the Love: Finding Answers and Hope for Our Triplets with Autism

by Lynn Gaston, Randy Gaston

Three Times the Love is the inspiring true story of an ordinary American family who face an extraordinary challenge. Lynn and Randy Gaston were overjoyed to discover they were having triplets after many arduous years of trying to conceive. But eighteen months after their births, Lynn and Randy's sons began exhibiting odd new behaviors-among them, toe walking, arm flapping, and in one of the boys, Nicholas, a sudden muteness. Terrified and dumbfounded, Lynn began researching their behavior on the Internet. The same glaring diagnosis kept popping up-each boy was displaying symptoms of autism, though at different points on the spectrum.With little support from their own pediatrician, Randy and Lynn continued to investigate autism and alternative treatments exhaustively, convinced that Nicholas, Hunter, and Zachary needed immediate help. With nowhere to turn, they hired their own therapists and began intensive behavioral treatment, not covered by their health insurance. Stymied when their own public school misdiagnosed the boys, they eventually decided to sell their house and move to a school district that offered therapy programs for children with autism.Along this challenging and confusing journey, Randy and Lynn have become fierce advocates for their sons as they race against time to find answers. And they've made it their mission to arm other parents with the information, guidance, and support they were looking for so desperately once their boys began regressing. With invaluable advice ranging from educational programs to legal issues to a comprehensive assessment of the therapies and interventions that have worked for their three unique children, the Gastons provide a road map for all families who will need to follow them through the trenches.Three Times the Love is the beautifully told story of the unstoppable devotion of two loving parents to their children. Filled with practical advice and an extensive resource list, it is an essential guide for any family touched by autism.

Genres: Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published March 18, 2005

Reviews

[Little · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm going to start by saying, Gaston is probably a nice person. I'm sure that she's lovely, warm, and kind. I have recently begun to read, however, the wealth of information online written by Actually Autistic Adults about themselves, their lives, and their experiences. And I couldn't make it through Gaston's book, because within the first few chapters, she'd already hit BINGO on things autistic adults hate:

1. Talking about a "cure" for autism.

2. Using functional language, specifically stating that one son is high-functioning, one is low-functioning, and one is "in the middle."

3. Dismissing any kinds of communication besides verbal language.

4. Blaming vaccines for causing her sons' autism.

5. Labeling her kids as "special needs."

I get that being a parent is hard. And parenting a neurodivergent kid comes with all kinds of challenges, some of which parents can't anticipate. And when you're in the midst of a parenting moment, it can seem like that moment is going to last forever. But the idea that an autistic 6 year-old is going to be the same as they are now forever is as naive as the idea that any 6 year-old is going to be the same as they are now forever. Maybe the path forward is unclear, but this moment is not "how things are," it's just this moment. I hope that Gaston has found resources and support for herself and her kids in the years since she published this book. And I hope that as her boys grow and change they'll be able to communicate with her their own perspectives on autism.

[Kelly Wilsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very outdated, having been published in 2009. I liked reading the author's stories of their early experiences, but she started multiple stories and ended them 1/4 way through, giving no information on how things resolved. Her language and thinking is very different than how autism is thought of today and the book wouldn't be very helpful 15 years later.

[Irina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dated in terms of terminology etc, but I thought many of the events were relatable. I kept wondering how much income the husband was earning to be able to afford everything.

[Alia O · Rating 5 out of 5]

thus book was a gift from a friend who has a smart boy with Autism. At the first chapters of the book I couldn't help but feel raving in my heart beats as I read through. I could relate to all the sufferings of autism symptoms except Lynn was dealing with it × 3 !! Lynn & her husband did an excepionally great job with the kids. Very insightful book and highly recommended to anyone with a kid with autism.

she concluded: " we will be there with one arm urging them forward and the othrr ready to catch them if they fall".

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This couple is very strong in their determination and love. After dealing with infertility, three baby boys were born. The couple noticed that the triplets were not developing as they should.
When he visits to various specialist later, the diagnosis of autism was handed down.
This book has all kinds of resources for families that have been recently diagnosed. This book is available on book share.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just read this book for a story I'm writing. What a heartbreaking story, but filled with a lot of hope as they look for answers.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

quick read and inspirational

[Joanna Alicea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely story!