Living With a Rock Star and a Super Hero: Creating a new normal with Down Syndrome and Sensory Processing Disorder

When our first son Lucas was born, we were overwhelmed new parents with no idea how to soothe our crying baby. Once we learned he had Sensory Processing Disorder and we received guidance from professionals, we finally felt we had a handle on things. What we didn't know was this was preparation for an even bigger challenge, becoming parents to a child with Down Syndrome. We had no knowledge of the diagnosis before Ben was born, but we learn new things every day. It turns out that he teaches us instead of the other way around. This book is part memoir, part educational information about what worked for us. Nothing is set in stone, and what we expect is rarely ever what we get. But we have learned to go with it. Ben doesn't know he has a disability. He thinks he's a rock star and his brother is his hero. And we don't disagree.

Amie Merz is a Licensed Counselor in private practice helping families help themselves. While her Master's Degree prepared her well for counseling others, it has been the life experiences that have taught her the most. She, her husband and her two sons live in the country south of St. Louis, Missouri.