Outside Looking In

By Vivian M. Lumbard

“Each family’s journey with autism is as unique as a fingerprint.”

Think about autism differently.

That’s what Vivian M. Lumbard does. She’s a mom to teenage twins with high-functioning autism challenges. As a retired air traffic controller, she is familiar with long-term and short-term goals, changing plans on a moment’s notice, as well as being able to laugh when stressed. All of which comes in handy when raising a child with autism.

Autism awareness is on the rise. But what about autism understanding? Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) manifests differently for each individual. Yet stereotypes hinder understanding and impact our choices as parents and educators. Using examples from her family’s life, she reframes common ASD stereotypes and competencies to highlight commonalities with the neurotypical world.

Vivian advocates an approach of loving, parenting and supporting the whole, unique child and offers a chapter of helpful tips based on her experiences. See how she applies those tips while staying at home during COVID-19.

Frank. Compassionate. Intimate. Sometimes humorous. Join her as she shares her family’s journey.

Additional information:

The author describes:

Why meltdowns occur
Puberty transitions unique to ASD girls
IDEA vs. ADA laws
Working as team between home and school
How educational systems can improve

Bronze Award winner in the 2020-2021 Reader Views Literary Awards in the Parenting/Family/Relationships category.

Award-Winning Finalist in the Parenting & Family category of the 2020 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest

Red Ribbon Winner in the 2020 The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

5-Star Reader's Favorite Review
“...a non-fiction parenting book that would appeal most to a mixed audience of parents, teachers, and those who work with special needs children...This book really opened my eyes to the fact that even though the children I work with all have the same condition, it does not mean that they should all receive the exact same type of help...”-- Sefina Hawke

5-Star Reader's Favorite Review
"... What results is a powerful account of breaking down stereotypes, homing in and focusing on what matters...writes with a deep passion for her family and her children, but also with a vigor to make sure that any person on the autistic spectrum is not simply noticed, but truly seen, heard and understood...Overall, I would highly recommend Outside Looking In for anyone who not only wants to understand autism in greater detail but also to learn how to think critically beyond stereotypes for all types of people they might meet in the future."-K.C.Finn

"If you're a parent or a teacher, chances are you'll wind up caring for a child with autism at some point. Because it can present so differently in every child, it can be hard to know what to do. Vivian's book doesn't give all the answers—no book can—but it's a heartfelt and plain-spoken story of one parent's journey and an excellent place to start for people who can feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information available." —Jo Niederhoff, San Francisco Book Review

5-Star Reader's Favorite Review
"...The best part of Outside Looking In is that it demonstrates a clear distinction between autism “awareness” and “understanding.” While the world continues to espouse ASD awareness, the reality for people dealing with autism bear concerns that extend far beyond awareness...."-Vincent Dublado

"This book provides a first-person glimpse into the reality of the daily life, struggles, and victories of a family learning to navigate the world through the lens of Autism Spectrum Disorder. I would strongly recommend this book to parents, educators, and helping professionals that are touched by ASD as it is a rarity to find a book such as this that provides insight into the world of ASD from a parental perspective."--Laura Walker, MS, NCC, LPC, CTP-C​

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vivian M. Lumbard
• Release date: Sep 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781735300818

Vivian M. Lumbard

As a retired air traffic controller, Vivian M. Lumbard is used to observing, compiling data and seeing patterns, as well as projecting what changes in those patterns–small or large–can mean to a desired outcome. So she views Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) just a bit differently than most, which helps with raising teenage twins with ASD challenges. She is happily married to John, and her family lives in a perpetually cluttered home in southwestern Pennsylvania. Her hobbies include genealogy, crochet and any other rabbit hole her interests beckon her to explore.