Alum Lynda Young Publishes Book on Autism

During the past several years, OBU author and alum Lynda Young has encouraged and advised families with children suffering from chronic health conditions through her "You Are Not Alone" book series. Her latest release is "Hope for Families of Children on the Autistic Spectrum."

Young's new inspirational book serves as a useful guide for parents of a child with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Asperger's syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other challenges.

"Hope for Families of Children on the Autistic Spectrum" reflects Young's increasing passion for reaching out to families. The book provides helpful hints about doctor visits and how to handle meltdowns, including valuable resources and encouraging stories from other parents who are experiencing the same journey with a child on the autistic spectrum.

"Families also need inspiration -- through Scripture, prayers and experiencing Who the hope is in," Young said, referring to a reliance on God. "They need to know they are not alone."

The latest release is the third addition to the "You Are Not Alone" series, published through Leafwood Publishing. Her first volume, "Hope for Families of Children with Cancer," was released in 2008. The second book, "Hope for Families of Children with Congenital Heart Disease," was published in 2010. Each book contains stories of encouragement, Scripture, prayer and helpful advice for each health situation.

Young graduated from OBU in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She also earned master's degrees in religious education and education administration. She is a nationally award-winning author and speaker, as well as the co-founder of Kindred Spirits International, whose purpose is to reach out to people in children's hospitals and refugee missions.

She has several bonds to OBU through her family: her late father, Dr. Finley Tinnin, who served as pastor of Baptist Temple in Oklahoma City, also served on the OBU board of trustees for years. Her daughter, Shanda Young Henson, graduated from OBU with a degree in nursing in 1998, and her son-in-law, Jason Henson, graduated with a degree in music in 1995, which he uses at Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee as the minister of worship.

Young and her husband, Dr. John Young, are active members at Annistown Road Baptist Church in Snellville, Ga. He teaches at Emory University and internationally. The couple has four children, 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Books in Young's "You Are Not Alone" series can be purchased through Amazon.com and in local Christian bookstores.