Not Stupid

When Anna and Sean Kennedy discovered that one of their sons had Asperger’s syndrome and that their other son was autistic, they were truly devastated—but their family’s troubles were just the beginning. Turned away by no fewer that 26 special needs schools when searching for appropriate educational facilities for their boys, Anna and Sean were down—but not out. Anna was determined to prove that for children like her sons, the challenges of growing up with autism—to demonstrate to the world that they were simply Not Stupid—did not have to end in defeat. Through sheer guts and determination, they turned their situation into a victory by establishing a center of excellence for the care and support of those with autism. The school quickly became over-subscribed—proof that educational provision in this field is inadequate, and proof also that it is still possible to transform a vision into reality through simply not giving up. Anna’s story, and that of her ever-improving sons, is a beacon of inspiration for parents of special needs children all over the country. Not Stupid offers readers a rollercoaster of emotions—from the depths of frustration and despair to the dizzy heights of joy—but most of all, it offers a real sense of hope for those whose lives are affected by autism.