When I Stopped Thinking “I Have to Do Something,” My Children Started Taking Action A mother raising four children with developmental disabilities and school refusal shares her insights on “non-interfering parenting” in a new book, drawn from 20 years and 400 lectures.

A mother who has raised four children with developmental disabilities; a parenting counselor who has given 400 lectures nationwide; an active preschool teacher who works directly with children with developmental disabilities; andYuko Horiuchi (Machida City, Tokyo)—representative of the parenting support group “Yurumi☆Kosodate”—will publish *“When You Let Go of ‘I Have to Do Something,’ Your Child Will Start Moving on Their Own: 77 Tips for Raising Children with Developmental Disorders andSchool Refusal” ~ 77 Tips for Raising Children with Developmental Disorders and School Refusal ~” on July 7, 2026.

*“When You Let Go of ‘I Have to Do Something,’ Your Child Will Start Moving on Their Own”* ~77 Tips for Raising Children with Developmental Disabilities and School Refusal~

[In an Era Where “Record Highs” Keep Being Broken, Parents Are Becoming Isolated]

In the 2024 school year, the number of elementary and junior high school students who refused to attend school reached 353,970, setting a new record high for the 12th consecutive year. (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; announced in October 2025). In junior high schools, this represents approximately one in every 15 enrolled students.This is no longer a “special problem”—it is an everyday reality that can happen in any classroom.

However, behind these numbers, another crisis is being overlooked. Parents—especially mothers—who are facing their children’s developmental characteristics or school refusal are becoming isolated under the unspoken pressure to “be like everyone else,” driving themselves into a corner with thoughts like, “Was my parenting wrong?” or “I have to fix this somehow.”There is still a lack of perspectives that help unravel and liberate the very “mindset” parents grapple with daily at home, leaving mothers feeling cornered.

In response to this situation, this book offers a new perspective: rather than “changing the child,” it encourages “parents to let go of what they have been clinging to.”

[“Non-Interfering Parenting” — 5 Phrases to Let Go of Anxiety and Control]

Furthermore, drawing on her own experience of being raised by a “father who tried to correct his child” and a “mother who trusted her child without resistance,” the author offers concrete tips on the most important question: “How can we affirm the child’s present moment?”

The core of this book is “Non-Interfering Parenting”—a approach that involves watching over your child with trust, without resistance. The five phrases that symbolize this approach serve as signposts to help parents let go of the urge to “do something about it.”

“Explain” / “Let the Child Choose” / “Be a Proud Parent” / “‘Oh, Well’” / “But Don’t Give Up”

[From the Intersection of Three Roles: Family Member, Parenting Support Instructor, and Field Support Worker]

As a mother, the author raised four children with developmental disabilities and helped them become independent. During this process, all of her children experienced school refusal. Determined to find a way through these difficult parenting challenges, she studied developmental disabilities and psychology at a correspondence university while continuing to engage with her children. Drawing on these experiences, she began giving lectures on parenting nationwide in 2006.

She continues to work as a childcare worker at an after-school day service, supporting children with developmental disabilities and their mothers.

This book is the result of 20 years of observing the intersection of these three perspectives—families directly affected, parenting support instructors, and frontline support staff—all grappling with developmental disabilities and the challenges of raising children who are difficult to care for.

—and is a practical guide for those still navigating these challenges through trial and error on the front lines.

■《Product Overview》

"When You Let Go of 'I Have to Do Something,' Your Child Will Start Moving on Their Own

~77 Tips for Raising Children with Developmental Disabilities or School Refusal~”

Format: A5 size, 152 pages

Publisher: Budōsha

Release Date: July 7, 2026

Price: 1,760 yen (tax included)

Amazon Book Page: https://amzn.asia/d/0gE4hXBN

■ We will be holding a *Publication Commemoration Lecture*.

“When You Let Go of ‘I Have to Do Something,’ Your Child Will Take the Initiative:

~77 Tips for Raising Children with Developmental Disabilities or School Refusal~” Publication Commemoration Lecture

Date: Saturday, July 11, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Venue: 5th Floor, Machida Pario, Machida City, Tokyo

Participation Fee: 2,000 yen (All attendees will receive a copy of the book and a piece of bread)

Lectures for Parents and Children Are Popular

■Author Profile

Yuko Horiuchi

Representative of the parenting support group “Yurumi☆Kosodate” / Parenting Counselor / Certified Childcare Worker

Born in 1956. A mother who raised four children with developmental disabilities (autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and learning disabilities). While struggling with parenting, she studied developmental disabilities and psychology at Seisa University (correspondence program) and obtained the following certifications:

Autism Spectrum Support Specialist (Certified by the Japan Autism Spectrum Society)

Special Needs Support Specialist (School Facilitator / Parent Supporter)

Active Listening Counselor

She gained practical experience as a kindergarten teacher, childcare worker, and job coach, and currently works as a childcare worker at an after-school day service. She began giving lectures nationwide in 2006 and has conducted over 400 lectures and training sessions to date. As a counselor, she has worked with 600 parent-child pairs.

▼ Media Appearances

Speaker at the NHK Heart Forum; appeared on NHK E-Tele’s “Transcendent Happiness”; and has had numerous other media appearances. In June 2026, a feature article about her was published on Yahoo News, attracting 81 comments, and she ranked No. 1 on Chantoweb’s weekly rankings.

▼ Books

“Tips for Living Happily with a Child with a Developmental Disorder” (7 reprints) and a total of 5 books

*The Future I Found as Someone with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder* (co-authored with my second son; also published in South Korea, where it garnered 47 reviews and became a hot topic)

http://www.yes24.com/Product/Goods/89462591

▼Related Links

・Hosted the NHK Heart Forum “Children with Developmental Disabilities: Aiming for ‘Independence’” in Yokohama

https://www.npwo.or.jp/arc/report/2014/_nhk.html

・Even on the Night I Let Slip, “I Want to Raise a Normal Child”: The Agony of a Mother Who Raised Four Children with Developmental Disabilities—“I Decided Not to Deny Their Personalities”

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/aab286e672b8a298d55d8fca330b77bd21547a11

• “If I Come Out About My Developmental Disability During Job Hunting, I Might Get Rejected by Every Company”: How a Man on the Autism Spectrum Secured a Job Offer in His Dream Industry

https://chanto.jp.net/articles/-/1008771

・YouTube [Looking Back on an Extremely Difficult High School Era with My Parents] Kent Appears: Developmental Disorders, School Refusal, Part-Time Jobs

https://youtu.be/Hir3k1tYg4U?si=8j4fviKHBTNjNOV_

■Company Overview

Organization Name: Parenting Support “Yurumi☆Kosodate”

Business Activities: Lectures, Training, Counseling, Writing

URL: https://k-gifted.net/