Book Review: One Family’s Journey with Autism by Janelle Esker

Chosen: One Family’s Journey With Autism

By: Janelle Esker

Koozzz Publishing, 133 Colonial Woods Drive, Mt. Vernon, Ohio 43050,

978-0983076070, $ 12.99, 2012, 140 pages

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake

A Family’s Journey with Autism from Diagnosis to Adulthood

“Chosen: One Family’s Journey With Autism” is the story of Mike and Janelle Esker’s journey with their daughter Kylie which began twenty-two years ago. Janelle shares the details of her feelings, reactions, joys and struggles she experienced; told from a mother’s point of view.

Janelle’s writing is heartfelt and transparent as she identifies with the others parenting special needs children. Over and over again she reminds the reader that they are not alone in their struggles. She discusses allergies in light of symptoms, reactions to medical treatments, prescription drugs, and special diets. Janelle is a strong proponent of advocacy for special needs individuals and introduces a wide range of choices available for management and treatment therapies, intervention, and support.

“Chosen: One Family’s Journey With Autism” like many other books available on Autism is situation specific based on the experiences of the author, the support of her husband, and the interaction and involvement of the entire family. A chapter of the book is devoted to a an unedited response from each of Kylie’s five siblings: Hannah, age 20, Andrew, age 16, Carrie, age 14, Sarah, age 11, and Fredy, age 22.

It is the prayer of the author that “Chosen” will be an encouragement to the reader to recognize that God’s ways are perfect. Janelle shares freely of her own Christian faith. The book is written in layman’s terms, told with tremendous insights into the role of parenting a special needs child.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own.