Dear Umar: A father's journey in discovering and dealing with Autism

No one can fully prepare you for the birth of a child. They come into your world and immediately your life is different, and your heart is full. In that moment, you'd do anything to protect them. You are their biggest cheerleader, their advocate, their coach, and their first line of defense. With those responsibilities comes a sixth sense-that little voice in your head that tells you when something is amiss. Dear Umar chronicles life with my son, Umar, a kind, warm, energetic little boy who has Autism. I share our story in hope it will resonate with parents and caregivers. It chronicles my feelings, my experiences, my observations, and my unconditional love for my son. What I share is deeply personal, sometimes raw and, I hope, inspirational for any parent who worries what they're doing may not be enough. As someone who has been there, I can assure you this journey has more good days than bad days. Although there have been rough patches, and sometimes heartbreaking moments, there were also glorious moments. I share them all, so that parents, allies, and most especially, my beautiful son will know how special and how loved he is. It's my hope this book will resonate with and inspire readers and offer peace of mind to those who are in the thick of unprovoked temper tantrums, feel like they're alone, and desperately need reassurance that they're not alone. Their feelings matter. Their experiences shouldn't be ignored. Your child can live a full, happy life. Your days and nights aren't always filled with drama and uncertainty. An Autism diagnosis isn't the end of your story. It's the beginning of the most rewarding, life-changing, and meaningful journey.