“Just like What to Expect When You’re Expecting and What to Expect the First Year have become the bibles for new parents, Teresa Unnerstall’s A New Course is bound to become the bible for parents who find themselves raising a child with Down Syndrome and Autism. Part autobiography, part how-to-manual, this amazing book offers the stark and often heart-breaking reality of raising a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With refreshing authenticity and candor, Teresa Unnerstall provides parents a glimpse into what lies ahead and how to navigate the course with strength, humor, self-love, and gratitude. This should be offered by hospital counselors as required reading for all parents who find themselves dealing with the unexpected birth of a child with disabilities. ”

“Teresa Unnerstall doesn’t tip her toes into the water of Down’s syndrome and autism, she dives head-first into the deep-end. Told with compassion, faith, empathy, brutal honesty, and gentle advocacy, A NEW COURSE: A Mother’s Journey Navigating Down’s Syndrome and Autism, is a beacon of light for a parent traversing the rocky waters of a DS-ASD dual- diagnosis. From birth through high school and beyond, Teresa has charted a strong, no- nonsense narrative teeming with set-backs but also love, lessons and hope, plus plenty of take-aways covering fears and anxieties, early intervention, sensory diets, IEPs, speech- language concerns, puberty, behavior management, and so much more. Teresa is an absolute gift to her son, Nick, but you will find her a nurturing and compassionate friend as you navigate the ebb and flow of raising a child—and young adult—with special needs”

“I would have made A New Course, required reading in my Aurora University special education classes and encouraged every special education teacher on my staff as Director of Special Education to make this a must read for gaining a parents perspective on raising a child with multiple disabilities. The very human raw experiences are written with passion and the reader will experience the joy and the difficulties, in A New Course: A Mother’s Journey Navigating Down Syndrome and Autism of everyday living with a child with disabilities! Each chapter couples the experiences from birth to adulthood with powerful solutions that will build success for every family at home and school. I love the outcomes that have been created, over years of learning, adjusting and modifying, always with love and hard work. This author’s memoir and solution guide is accomplished by bringing honesty to an important life story.”

“What an enjoyable read this book has been for me. Teresa Unnerstall managed to capture a life I led years ago through her story, A New Course: A Mother’s Journey Navigating Down Syndrome and Autism is true-to-life when that life includes a child with Down syndrome and autism. Experiencing life through Teresa’s lens was a great story by itself. Coupled with lessons learned along the way and tips for parents navigating this path now, makes this a book every parent of a child who has Down syndrome and extra challenges should read. I only wish she had written this book years ago as I struggled raising my son with a dual diagnosis. My guy was born at a time when doctors did not recognize that children with Down syndrome could also have Autism. Reading Teresa’s book helped me forgive myself for the doubts I had as a parent.”