There are a couple of immediate takeaways from OUTSIDE LOOKING IN by Vivian M. Lumbard. First and foremost is a wish that more mothers had the forethought and dedication of Ms. Lumbard.  OUTSIDE LOOKING IN is a chronicle of Lumbard and her husband John’s journey with their twins, April and Beckett. When she entered kindergarten, April received a diagnosis of PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified) which Lumbard was assured was “not autism.” Lumbard quickly learned PDD-NOS was just another label — like Asperger’s Syndrome — that pops up on the higher-functioning end of the autistic spectrum. Her son, Beckett, didn’t have a diagnosis, but based on behaviors Lumbard reports, falls just outside of the autistic spectrum.

April’s autism manifests primarily as debilitating social anxiety. There’s a hamster wheel of self-doubt in her head (depicted on the book’s cover) that fills her with feelings of worthlessness. But the Lumbard’s constant reassurance and unfailing love help transform April from a frightened, meltdown-prone toddler to an “almost ” typical teenage girl. The biggest hurdle was April’s inability to “emotionally regulate” — to quiet her raging thoughts, calm her body, and keep her feelings from boiling over. By tailoring a plan based on April’s unique needs — and borrowing liberally from a variety of behavioral therapies — the Lumbard’s gave April the tools she needed to get the wheel of self-confidence and self-reliance rolling. Putting feelings into words is difficult for anyone on the autistic spectrum (and often for many who aren’t). But Lumbard’s careful observation of her children’s behaviors and body language reveals a deeper truth. Her superpower as a mom is getting her kids to open up to her. She’s masterful at finding the root of a problem and developing a workable solution. Not everything works out, but Lumbard never stops trying.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN has an unassuming climax — April incorrectly answers a question in class. The fact that the child takes it in stride and doesn’t unravel emotionally is a victory years in the making, a testament to the Lumbard’s hard work and loving dedication. Ultimately, April finds the courage to answer a question she doesn’t know the answer to. She takes a risk. And when it doesn’t work out, she understands it’s okay to fail. Life is about taking thoughtful chances and learning from the results. April’s wrong answer is the kind of minor miracle that could easily slip by unnoticed. But not by Lumbard, whose keen eye for observation, uncanny motherly instinct, and dogged determination helps her children succeed.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN is a beautiful and detailed chronicle of author Vivian M. Lumbard and her husband John’s journey with their daughter’s high-functioning autism — embracing the compassion, patience, and persistence required to raise children — whether they carry a “special needs” label or not.

~Rob Errera for IndieReader