{"product_id":"brother-a-story-of-autism-hardcover","title":"Brother: A Story of Autism - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eCarlton Hudgens\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eAnthony Zuiker\u003c\/b\u003e (With), \u003cb\u003eNam Kim\u003c\/b\u003e (Illustrator)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBridget and Carlton are as close as any sister and brother. But their relationship is particularly special. Carlton has autism and is almost completely nonverbal. He's smart, funny, creative, and loving. He has immense challenges in speaking full sentences. Bridget's fierce loyalty to and compassion for her brother led to an unbreakable bond that has helped the siblings cope with divorce and homelessness. Carlton's devotion to his family is loud and clear, even in his silence.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eCarlton Hudgens was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at three years old. He didn't speak or interact with the world around him, except with humming and flapping arms. The diagnosis provided a label, but not an answer. He was considered low-functioning, but all that meant was that there was a laundry list of tasks he \u003ci\u003ecouldn't\u003c\/i\u003e do, and little recognition of what he \u003ci\u003ecould\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eCarlton's sister, Bridget, just a year younger, became his protector, sharing their birthdays so that he could open the presents first, taking the blame for a broken toy to spare him from being punished on Christmas Day. She understood that she was living in Carlton's world, not the other way around. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBecause Carlton doesn't speak in full sentences, Bridget has opted to tell his story. \"My brother is brilliant in every way,\" Bridget says. \"He just doesn't speak like we speak.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhen Carlton was five years old, he uttered his first words: \"I love you, Mom!\" Bridget was elated. That sentence meant that he \u003ci\u003ecould\u003c\/i\u003e hear her, that he \u003ci\u003ecould\u003c\/i\u003e speak, and that she had a chance to reach her ultimate goal of bonding with her brother. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBridget was his protector, but Carlton became Bridget's savior. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhen Bridget was eleven years old, she and Carlton went to the public pool. Carlton was a natural swimmer, but Bridget couldn't swim at all. As the two played a game in the shallow end, they drifted closer to the deep end. Bridget panicked, swallowing water and crying for help. Carlton swam to her and pulled her to safety. No longer was he different, with special needs, or \"that kid with autism.\" To Bridget, he was the big brother who had just saved her. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eLater on, he became a savior to others. Autism didn't stop him feeling compassion and love. It just made it harder for him to express those emotions. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eTheir parents' divorce and the subsequent remarriage of their mother created a more stable life for Carlton, but Bridget had a hard time accepting the good changes. She had put herself second for so long, it was difficult to allow an adult to take over the care of her brother. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBy early adulthood, Bridget began to realize that the most fulfilling part of her life was forming a deeper connection with Carlton--an unbreakable bond that would shape brother and sister for the rest of their lives. It was Carlton's influence that led to her passion for helping others with special needs.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMichelle and Anthony E. Zuiker are the Founders of Zuiker Press. The husband and wife couple develop and publish \"real\" stories of young people suffering from issues that affect children every day. Mrs. Zuiker is an 18-year educator from Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Zuiker is well known as the Creator\/Executive of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, the most popular franchise on CBS television and the most successful TV show is global history. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBridget Hudgens is 26 years old. She is attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she is perusing a Bachelor's of Science in Special Education.\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 96\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.5 x 8.5 x 5.6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e November 05, 2019\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51769491521824,"sku":"9781947378087","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/7c93b431830ebf49b7807399dcd3c8a4.webp?v=1780349415","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/brother-a-story-of-autism-hardcover","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}