The Promise of Lilacs

Leah Rivera expected parenting to be a breeze. Her toddler, Gordon, was hitting his developmental milestones on schedule until he didn’t.

At the time he was about to start Kindergarten, Leah realized her son was slipping away into his own quiet world.  Trusting her mother’s instincts, Leah convinced her doctor to refer them to a specialist who diagnosed her son with autism.

Forging her way through an onslaught of challenges, Leah struggled to overcome her husband’s skepticism, mixed signals from professionals, frantic 911 calls, and a harrowing lack of resources while trying to balance her new ‘normal’ family life and getting her son the crucial help he needed.

An inspirational story of courage and empowerment, The Promise of Lilacs is a mother’s memoir written from the heart.