Julie Billiart Schools has helped my child become a better version of himself. The teachers and therapists at JB really know and understand how to reach children who learn differently. 
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Tuesday, July 28, 2020
A lot can happen over the course of six years. In that time JB alumnus, David Petrovic, has graduated from college, started a Master's degree, held a TEDx talk, and entered the workforce.
Now, it's time for him to tell that story in a second edition. His first book, Expect a Miracle: A Mother/Son Asperger Journey of Determination and Triumph, coauthored with his mother, Sandy, aimed to explain life with autism. It was written from their separate perspectives so that the reader could walk in each of their shoes. Now, six years later, David and Sandy hope to provide more inspiration and unearth more hope for readers.
“A critique of the first book was that readers often wished my parts were longer. They wanted to hear more from me. Since I experienced new situations on my own as I aged, I wanted to tell my readers what else I had learned through my continued development,” states David.
The mother-son team is excited to announce the recent completion of their second edition book, retitled Expect a Miracle: Understanding and Living with Autism. It features two new additional chapters covering many young adult topics, with one exclusively focusing on acclimation to the workforce. As the chapters progress, David writes more and more, so that the final workplace chapter is primarily in his voice.
“It is my intention that this book is not just for those with autism, but for people with any kind of learning difference or hardship,” he said. “The readers’ challenges and accomplishments are not going to be the same as mine, because everyone’s life circumstances vary, and there is a spectrum of abilities.”
“I want to break stereotypes and help people see the realities and potentials of persons with autism – to understand it better from the inside out,” added Sandy. “Besides practical information, what I want to relay, especially from mom to mom, is hope.”
Expect a Miracle: Understanding and Living with Autism will be released this summer. Of interest, the “Expect a Miracle” part of the title came from an inspirational piece of artwork that David’s father, Frank, bid on at the JB Gala of 2002! David and Sandy soon discovered several other small miracles that paved the road of their journey.
David graduated cum laude from Notre Dame College in 2015 with a degree in Middle Childhood Education and is completing his final semester of graduate studies. He is on target to receive a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Theology from St. Joseph’s College this August.
David aspires to eventually teach high school theology and is considering a vocation in the Catholic clergy after gaining more experience teaching. In the meantime, David is happily employed as a teacher at St. Mary’s School in Chardon. 2020-2021 will mark his second year there, and he will continue to teach junior high school studies, with the addition of English/Language Arts education to fifth graders.
To learn more about David, his public speaking, and his book, you can visit their website at https://aspergermiracles.com. You may also follow David and Sandy on the Expect a Miracle Facebook page.
Julie Billiart Schools has helped my child become a better version of himself. The teachers and therapists at JB really know and understand how to reach children who learn differently.
JB Parent
All of the teachers and staff at JB are patient and willing to take the extra time to make sure we, as parents, understand and are comfortable.
JB Parent
Julie Billiart Schools gave us hope after our daughter was diagnosed with a learning disability. At JB, she thrived in the small classes, received necessary therapies, and developed the self-confidence to ask for help when she needed it.
JB Parent
I don’t think I will ever be able to put into words how grateful I am that you saw my daughter for all that she is today and all that she is yet to become.
Tammie Sommer
My kids love everything about JB and look forward to going to school every day and seeing their friends and teachers. JB is truly a one of a kind school enriching young lives everyday.
JB Parent
They have all the resources necessary, specialized to the individual learning of each child, and the heart that goes with it. I don't think we would have stayed in Ohio if it wasn't for JB!
JB Parent