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Amy Mattson
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Beyond the Diagnosis: The Path to Thriving as a Special Needs Parent Paperback – March 14, 2019

by Amy Mattson (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 21 ratings
Traveling down the path of a special needs family is an unexpected journey few are prepared for.

A special needs diagnosis can mean the loss of dreams for some families. Author Amy Mattson knows that heartache and wants you to discover true joy along your uncertain journey as a parent of a child with special needs.

When Amy's two children were diagnosed with cerebral palsy, autism, ADHD, anxiety, and dyslexia, her family life was in a tailspin of confusion. There was nobody she could relate to, or who understood the journey she was on as a special needs mom. All of the resources she found were regarding her children's diagnoses or disability. What she needed, however, was Beyond the Diagnosis. She needed to know she wasn't alone and how to thrive as a special needs parent. Let her experience help guide you to:


understand the need to grieve your broken dreams overcome the guilt you have for feeling sadness, loss, and grief accept that your feelings of sadness and loss are valid build friendships in your new community and put your isolation behind you realize that precious memories and joy are ahead understand your need for self-care and respite make you and your marriage priorities celebrate the small victories embrace your new reality Beyond the Diagnosis includes action steps at the end of each chapter. These are meant to help you reflect on the information and apply it to your own life--to guide you beyond the diagnosis to the point of thriving. Some of these action steps will help you to reflect on what you've just read and to record your feelings through journal prompts. Others will guide you in putting into practice the habits that allow you to thrive, such as creating a plan to make self-care a part of your routine. These action steps could also facilitate discussions making Beyond the Diagnosis a resource for a support group or a church small group.

The lessons Amy learned took her and her family from a point of grieving to thriving. Her stories, both painful and encouraging, can help you get on the path to becoming the thriving special needs family God created you to be.
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  1. Print length
    222 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Amy Mattson
  4. Publication date
    March 14, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    5.24 x 0.47 x 7.99 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0578480220
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0578480220
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amy Mattson (March 14, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 222 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0578480220
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0578480220
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.24 x 0.47 x 7.99 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 21 ratings

About the author

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Amy Mattson

Amy Mattson

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Amy Mattson always wanted to be a mother, but when each of her children turned out to have special needs, she felt lost, not knowing where to turn for parenting advice or emotional support. In time, as she gained her footing, she was inspired to share her knowledge and experiences with other special needs parents to offer hope, encouragement, and a source of understanding. She began sharing her story through her blog, Raising the Extraordinary, to give voice to special needs parents and to bring awareness to the realities of special needs families. A serious battle of depression, anxiety, and her inner battles fighting through the emotions and the difficult aspects of being a special needs mom strengthened her resolve to minister to others who find themselves on the unexpected journey of special needs parenting.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
21 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book highly readable, with one mentioning it's a must-read for special needs families. The book receives positive feedback for its encouragement.

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4 customers mention "Readability"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, with one mentioning it is a must-read for special needs families, while another notes it is relatable for both parents and friends.

"So encouraging and relatable for parents and friends!..." Read more

"...a Grandparent to speacial needs kids this was very helpful to understand the struggles parents have. Amy shares her story in a easy read...." Read more

"...This is a must-read for moms of children with any diagnosis / special need. I find myself shaking my head and saying "yes!"..." Read more

"Must read for the Special Needs Family..." Read more

3 customers mention "Encouragement"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book encouraging, with one mentioning it helps them lead a very fulfilled life.

"...you are doing a great job, and you and your family CAN live a very fulfilled life!" Read more

"So encouraging and relatable for parents and friends!..." Read more

"I am half-way through this book and it has been so encouraging, and I can totally relate...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for the Special Needs Family
    Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    My son was recently diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. I am so happy I stumbled on to finding this book. As you read it, as a new parent to the special needs world, you feel connected that you are truly not alone. By reading this book, it helped me to reflect and find peace that this journey is a marathon, and not a sprint. We love our child no matter what, and a diagnosis doesn't change that. I highly recommend this book to anyone that needs to hear you are doing a great job, and you and your family CAN live a very fulfilled life!
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  • OttFamBam
    5.0 out of 5 stars You need to read this book!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    So encouraging and relatable for parents and friends! As a caregiver to a special needs child, this book was like an encouraging talk with a more-experienced friend who has figured out how to thrive in a situation similar to mine. As only the parents to these special children know, it’s a lonely place to be, and we can wallow there. This book was practical and relatable without being naive or superficial. I highly recommend it!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Karl H.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for everyone to help understand the simple needs of special needs families
    Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    As a Grandparent to speacial needs kids this was very helpful to understand the struggles parents have. Amy shares her story in a easy read. Gave me a much better understanding of struggles special needs families have. I recommend this book to everyone. It opens your eyes and gives you ideas on how we can help these families even with something as simple as a hug.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Min
    5.0 out of 5 stars I can totally relate!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I am half-way through this book and it has been so encouraging, and I can totally relate. This is a must-read for moms of children with any diagnosis / special need. I find myself shaking my head and saying "yes!" every time I read the words in this book. Thank you for writing this book!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Dawn
    5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ FOR ALL PARENTS WITH CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
    Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2019
    "Beyond the Diagnosis" took me on a journey that left me in tears. Not only did I empathize with the author, but I recognized myself in her words. Years of struggling with the stigma and the skepticism of others over the unseen diagnoses of my children had left me with huge feelings of self-doubt and anxiety over each decision that I made, each choice that I carefully pondered and made with as much information as I could with their best interests at heart.

    I learned that I had never really grieved the diagnoses of my children and that not only is it okay to do so, but it is also a part of learning to thrive in the life that God has graciously presented me with. I also learned that it is okay to feel anger over the cards that your children have been dealt, and then to feel guilt over that anger. Knowing that I am not the only one that struggles with the myriad of emotions that you navigate from diagnoses to coping to thriving left me feeling like my emotions were valid for the first time in a very long time.

    The author takes you on a very candid journey through her emotions - the shock, the guilt, the anger, the depression and then her uplifting journey as she learned to thrive. She discusses her struggles with anxiety, with coping, with lost friendships and community isolation. Working through the activities helped me find what works for my little family, and how we can find ways to thrive, even in a one-parent household.

    This book is a MUST READ for parents of children with special needs, and it wouldn't hurt to hand a copy to those in your life that may not understand what it is like to parent a child with special needs, seen or unseen
    3 people found this helpful
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  • K. Rude
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for EVERYONE!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2019
    This book is everything I wish I had known when I started my own journey as a special needs parent. The author walks you through her journey as a parent to two special needs children in a refreshingly honest way. She sheds light on the extreme importance of recognizing and acknowledging your emotions, even the ones we don't want to believe are there.

    Amy's story is relatable to anyone who has walked the journey of special needs parenting, but a MUST READ for everyone. Even someone who does not have a special needs child in their life can benefit from reading this book, as it sheds a light on the stigma and the reality of daily life for those of us with special needs children.

    Amy is raw and honest in identifying that there are HARD things you go through, and there are JOYOUS things you embrace in this journey. I laughed through tears of joy as she shares one of her daughter's major milestones (not going to be a spoiler here!) and cried in understanding as she shares the frustration of not understanding why her son was acting out in the ways he was. Amy makes the reality of every day life in a special needs family a little more touchable and real through this story.

    Each chapter addresses a vital step in learning to go beyond survival mode and into thriving. The chapters end with Action Steps that help the reader to identify their own feelings and thoughts that they may have experienced walking a similar path.

    The advice she gives is relevant, and so necessary. This book is truly a gift. I am SO thankful that I read it, and I am certain this will be one that I read again and again.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Bill Mohn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read if you work with or know a family with special needs kids
    Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2019
    Although I am not a special needs parent myself, "Beyond the Diagnosis" gave me new insights into what it's like to have a child with special needs living in your home. Through her personal story of raising two special needs children (one with visible and one with invisible disabilities), Amy Mattson shares the realities of being the mom of special needs kids. She shares the real-life negatives (such as the feelings that go along with your child receiving a devastating diagnosis, isolation, depression, and exhaustion), and gives hope through practical ways to help your child and your family (such as places to seek help, how to care for yourself, and how to advocate for your child).

    Each chapter ends with some questions for parents to ask themselves and some action steps to take. Special needs parents can find hope and help through this book. Teachers, friends, and caregivers of a special needs child can gain understanding and empathy for the reality of parenting a special needs child, and can gain practical insights on how they can help. This book also gives insight on actions, words, and attitudes that may (inadvertently) be hurtful to special needs kids and parents.
    2 people found this helpful
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