<description>&lt;p&gt;The experience of parenting a child with autism can be fulfilling and life-changing. It can also bring real challenges.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Andrea Moriarty is a proud "autism mom." Her son, now an adult, was first diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Moriarty has been writing about her experience and providing advice on parenting a child with autism, throughout her time as a parent.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Her latest book, “Daffy: Laughter as Self-Care for Autism Moms with Very Little Time and No Interest in Exercise,” reflects on the journey her and other parents have gone through raising a child with autism, touching on both the challenges and the importance of laughter and joy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Guest&lt;/strong&gt;:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.andreamoriarty.com/" target="_blank"&gt;Andrea Moriarty&lt;/a&gt;, author, "Daffy: Laughter as Self-Care for Autism Moms with Very Little Time and No Interest in Exercise”&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Book event:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://caminobks.com/event/2026-06-18/andrea-moriarty-daffy-laughter-self-care-autism-moms" target="_blank"&gt;Andrea Moriarty discusses and signs her new book "Daffy" at Camino Books in Del Mar, Thurs. June 18, 6 p.m.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

KPBS Midday Edition

KPBS

New book highlights the importance of laughter for 'autism moms'

JUN 18, 202615 MIN
KPBS Midday Edition

New book highlights the importance of laughter for 'autism moms'

JUN 18, 202615 MIN

Description

The experience of parenting a child with autism can be fulfilling and life-changing. It can also bring real challenges.Andrea Moriarty is a proud "autism mom." Her son, now an adult, was first diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Moriarty has been writing about her experience and providing advice on parenting a child with autism, throughout her time as a parent.Her latest book, “Daffy: Laughter as Self-Care for Autism Moms with Very Little Time and No Interest in Exercise,” reflects on the journey her and other parents have gone through raising a child with autism, touching on both the challenges and the importance of laughter and joy.Guest:Andrea Moriarty, author, "Daffy: Laughter as Self-Care for Autism Moms with Very Little Time and No Interest in Exercise”Book event:Andrea Moriarty discusses and signs her new book "Daffy" at Camino Books in Del Mar, Thurs. June 18, 6 p.m.