Building Puzzles Under Water - by Carrie P Holzer (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"He will likely never speak."

Sometimes, being told that you can't do something lights a fire inside of you so fierce that you have no choice but to succeed ... and then blow all the doubts out of the water.

After all, doubt shouldn't be a part of any child's puzzle.

It's hard enough building puzzles under water, watching the pieces float away, dusting off the sand from some, and scurrying toward a treasure chest to discover more.

This is how author Carrie P. Holzer experienced her son Cam's diagnosis of autism and the following decade of his journey. She compared it to building puzzles under water because of the challenge, as well as the knowledge that all the pieces are there somewhere.

Sometimes you just have to look harder for them and turn them this way and that to fit.

In Building Puzzles Under Water: An Autism Story, Carrie details the journey that her family took, the ups and downs, and the multiple successes they had with giving Cam the life he deserves, one where he gets to express himself and have friends, things that we all take for granted that were pieces the family wasn't sure Cam would ever discover.

Today, Cam speaks, eloquently, expressively, and even colorfully, thanks to the dedication that Carrie and her family had to see him be everything he possibly could.

She shares this journey with you, with the hopes that your family will have success in the depths of autism as well.

Review Quotes

Building Puzzles Under Water introduces a bold and humorous voice to the autism conversation. Carrie Holzer's vulnerable telling of her son's story hooked me from the very start. I felt fully invested by the time Cam first climbed onto a school bus, and more so with each milestone. Readers will find in this book a source of inspiration, nuggets of encouragement, and quite a few good laughs. Building Puzzles Under Water is an autism story in which we all can take heart.

Amy Camp, Author of Deciding on Trails

Building Puzzles Under Water may quite possibly be the most important book to a parent of a child with special needs. Carrie walks you through the difficulty of receiving Cam's diagnosis to the unexpected joys they experienced along the way. The sacrifices Justin and Gabby made do not go unnoticed either. Parenting a child with special needs requires an immense amount of love, patience, and dedication.

Building Puzzles Under Water reminds us to celebrate the milestones most of the population takes for granted. Cam teaches us the beauty in being comfortable with who we are just the way we are no matter where we are. You will laugh. You will cry. But you will NEVER put your head on your pillow at night without a smile on your face!

Genie DiChiazza, Parent of Special Needs

I am a single dad to a now 21-year-old profoundly autistic young man and first met Carrie through a blog I write about my life experiences with my son. I found her always thoughtful, creative, and thorough in her approaches to help Camden reach his full potential. I see all of this come alive in Building Puzzles Under Water.

This is such a genuine and inspirational story about life with kiddos on the spectrum, and I also find it reassuring as a parent, knowing there is always hope and opportunity. There are so many ways to feel, act, and react to this unique lifestyle as a parent, and Carrie writes about it with honesty and humor rooted in reality. This is a great read for autism parents and any parent who wants a fuller perspective on life.

Jeffrey Weinstein, Special Needs Parent