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

I expected 'Three Times the Love' to be an interesting and informative story, particularly for someone with no exposure to a child with autism. What I didn't expect was for the book to be quite a well written and engrossing page-turner. Thanks to staying up way too late two nights in a row, I was able to finish it quickly. The book is set up in such a helpful way - first the story, from conception to present day with the children; then a detailed account, along with personal experiences, of a variety of therapies and treatments. The Gastons have an amazing and inspiring story, one that all parents can learn from. Their tenacious pursuit of first a diagnosis and then the appropriate school placement and therapies for each of the boys is a real testiment to love and dedication. It's also enlightening to learn just how complicated autism is, and how difficult it is for parents to navigate the medical and school communities. Along with the day in and day out work that comes along with a triple diagnosis of autism, they have become advocates that pave the way for other parents, an interesting story in and of itself. I would recommend this book, of course, to the parents and family members of a child with autism. But I'd also recommend it to anyone who works with children with special needs, particularly autism. It's one thing to have a professional career that involves special needs; quite another to read what the families experience right from the beginning.

I checked this book out from the library, and was pleased that it told the story as many autistic families experience the journey: through trial & error. Accurately describing the role of being your child's advocate, these parents have made a real effort to tailor their individual triplets' needs (having different degrees of autism on the spectrum)to the types of therapy they chose. Having attended the Autism Expo they hosted in 2007, I found the resources they listed in the back of the book to be invaluable. Looking for websites & contacts to help your child? The back portion of the book is helpful for parents & their pediatricians as they navigate what is available currently. As a parent & health professional of a 13 year-old son with autism --who regressed from normal infant behaviors to loss of speech, social interactions, & into stimming-- we found that he has made remarkable progress using the same therapies that this family advocates, and he is mostly mainstreamed into middle school. He has regained his speech, reads at the level of Popular Science, plays the piano & violin, collects coins & currencies, loves to ride his bike, go bowling, travel. Overall, this book remains upbeat, when many other books written from a professional's viewpoint can seem overwhelming & overly detailed, this book candidly describes what an autistic family experiences, coupled with what worked for them and suggestions of what resources there are available for families in a similar situation to access for themselves.

I've just finished reading Lynn and Randy Gaston's story about their life with triplet boys with autism. I think it's an excellent and helpful book for parents of children newly diagnosed with autism, those who suspect their child may have autism, parents of multiples with autism, and any family members or professionals who want to know more about the daily life of families living with children with autism. The Gaston's, who have appeared on TV and spear-headed an Autism Expo to connect and share with other parents, describe their path so far, the pitfalls, their hopes and dreams, and available therapies. It is simply told. Their story is my daughter's story. Gramma of twins with autism