This month's book selection was [affiliate link] Schuyler's Monster: A Father's Journey with His Wordless Daughter by Robert Rummel-Hudson.
I read this book several years ago and absolutely loved it! Once I started it, I did not want to put it down. Robert Rummel-Hudson's writing is honest, raw, and poignant. He has a dry wit and sense of humor that I appreciate. He writes of his emotional journey through finding the name for the extremely rare "monster" living his in daughter's brain (bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria) that stole that life he had envisioned for her, to the daily fight still being waged to allow his daughter access to the education - and communication - that she deserves. As an AAC professional, I experienced my own emotional roller coaster reading of the struggles (road blocks from educators and other professionals) they encountered along the way.
Schuyler is now a vivacious teen, still doing battle with her monster but also coming in to her own person. Robert blogs about their journey at Fighting Monsters With Rubber Swords.
I highly recommend this book! I wish it was required reading for all educators, doctors, therapists, and any other professionals working with special needs kids (and their families). Schuyler is a great example of why it is so important to presume competence!
Disclosure: When I read this book, I borrowed it from a co-worker. I received no compensation for this post. The opinions are all mine. This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.