Stars in Her Eyes

"You have a healthy baby boy!" The words ring like church bells in the ears of new parents. But a child's life does not always follow the road map created in the parents' hearts. Small nagging signs give way to larger, scarier symptoms. Then the dreaded words: "Your child has autism." These words echo in their heads like a freight train blasting through their hopes and dreams. This is a moment that forever defines their family life. Despite the rapidly surging rate of autism, they feel alone. Questions flood their minds. They face an overwhelming search for educational, medical, and social information. Stars in Her Eyes is designed to help parents and teachers navigate the dizzying maze of autism. Dr. Barboa shares heartfelt narratives from parents and teachers who have gone before and paved the way. Each contributor gives practical advice from her own unique experiences. Stars in Her Eyes includes powerful yet light-hearted vignettes relating to each topic. The reader will feel that he is sitting in the same room with these authors, enjoying the enlightening conversation of those living with autism on a daily basis.

Linda Barboa of Battlefield, Missouri

Dr. Linda Barboa holds degrees in speech pathology and audiology, psychology, and early childhood education. She is an experienced speech-language pathologist, with a background as a special education director, director of a center for autism, and university professor. She has worked as an educator in the United States and Europe and has presented numerous programs to professionals across the country. Dr. Barboa is the author of several books about autism, including Stars in Her Eyes: Navigating the Maze of Childhood Autism, Steps: Forming a Disability Ministry, and Tic Toc Autism Clock: A Guide to Your 24/7 Parent Plan, It’s No Biggie: Autism in the Early Childhood Classroom, and Oodles and Skoodles of Friends. Along with Jan Luck, she is the co-author of the Albert series of books to help children understand autism.

Dr. Barboa, is the recipient of the prestigious JEFFERSON AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE. She is the founder of an award-winning program to create autism friendly cities.