In her asylum, Sarah is different than the rest. She only speaks in memorized verse--especially Shakespeare and Blake--and always has her vinyl two-he...moreIn her asylum, Sarah is different than the rest. She only speaks in memorized verse--especially Shakespeare and Blake--and always has her vinyl two-headed dragon close by. However, she's not really autistic. When budget cuts force her onto the streets, she falls into a street gang that guards her with fierce protectiveness. Sarah soon realizes something strange: she can hear the voices of more objects than her dragons. Walls speak their security codes, and paintings tell their history. And when a doctor from the asylum that raised her begins a frantic search for Sarah, she'll need all the wiles of her street friends and her own gifts if she'll make it out alive.[return][return]I love the premise here. Sarah is an amazing character, and first person narration works perfectly here because she can think like other people, but she doesn't speak or listen like others. The beginning of the book is filled with vibrant characters from the street; on some levels those interactions worked, though some sexual elements felt forced and didn't fit with the rest of the book. Her friend Abalone shines. In the latter half, that feeling isn't there. Sarah is on the run and the cast is limited, and some of the best characters from the beginning fall into stereotypes. It makes the book feel unbalanced. One of the big plot twists at the end was easy to see coming, too. It's not a bad read--it's good for a study of technique alone--but I don't feel it's worth keeping.(less)
Temple Grandin is autistic and brilliant. She is known for her work with animals, in particular cattle; she's designed half of the livestock-handling...moreTemple Grandin is autistic and brilliant. She is known for her work with animals, in particular cattle; she's designed half of the livestock-handling facilities in the United States. In this book with Cathrine Johnson, she explores the viewpoints of animals themselves in contrast with autistic and normal people. The results are astonishing. The subject sounds dry, but the writing is not. Through citations of scientific studies and personal experience, Grandin makes the case for animal brilliance. I could note any numbers of especially intriguing information in this book:[return][return]- Rapist roosters are becoming more prevalent because as chickens have been bred for bigger breasts, they have lost other important genetic material such as mating dances. Some roosters also murder the hen after the rape.[return][return]- Albinos are highly unusual in nature, and with reason - they have more flaws and nervous problems. This is becoming more prevalent with Dalmatians, which are being bred to be as white as possible, but are having increasing health issues that are harming the integrity of the breed.[return][return]- How animals handle pain, and why: if a prey animal shows pain, it makes them likely to be culled by a predator. Certain breeds are more tolerable of pain, such as Labradors, because they are a type of dog designed to jump into ice-cold water. This pain tolerance is why they handle young children so well.[return][return]- A leucotomy is similar to a lobotomy but only severs the connections to the frontal lobe instead of removing it entirely. The 1949 Nobel Prize winner developed the procedure to assist people dealing with severe, chronic pain. These patients still felt the tremendous pain, constantly, but after the operation they no longer cared. They could finally function in their daily lives and the pain just didn't matter anymore.[return][return]In case you couldn't tell, this is an awesome book to completely geek-out with. I couldn't wait to share facts like these with my husband and my mom. In addition, since my son is autistic, I learned more about seeing the world through his viewpoint, something that presents a daily challenge in my household. I can only hope he grows up and experiences as much success as Temple Grandin.(less)
Since I have a autistic three-year-old, I've been reading many books on the autism spectrum. Look Me In the Eye is a memoir, and a very well-done one....moreSince I have a autistic three-year-old, I've been reading many books on the autism spectrum. Look Me In the Eye is a memoir, and a very well-done one. It's a fast read, detailing how Robison was a misfit as a child, how his parents were nuts, and how he struggled to assert himself as an adult. It's a very positive, uplifting story. Robison made many hard choices - such as dropping out of high school - but he followed his savant inclinations, fought past his own doubts, and taught himself how to socialize. His story is very honest and unflattering at times, but he shows how he has grown as a person and come to embrace Asperger's as being an integral part of himself. I found his guitar inventions for KISS to be particularly fascinating - I'm not a KISS fan, but I do know about their guitars! It's a great behind-the-scenes peek at the genius of innovation.(less)
When you have a special needs child, the psychological implications are hard enough. Having a child who can't talk, who can't handle being in public.....moreWhen you have a special needs child, the psychological implications are hard enough. Having a child who can't talk, who can't handle being in public... that's hard. But to make it even worse, there's the bureaucratic nightmare of getting services for your child. The process is contradictory, frustrating, and sometimes downright dangerous for the child's welfare. That's where this book steps in. I can't help but ask, where was this resource three years ago when my son was first diagnosed with autism? About the first half of the book is fantastic for people just starting out on their journey. It shows how to advocate with friends and family, and to know when a fight is worth fighting.[return][return]But for me, the true golden section of this book involves several chapters on IEPs (Individual Education Plans) and legal rights when dealing with schools. My son just started kindergarten. So far, the local public school system has been good to us. I've read many nightmare stories though--enough to make me leery that the future may bring some pretty unpleasant battles regarding my son's rights for a fair education. This book is a good starting point for parents to educate themselves, and if need be, to get a lawyer to advise them the rest of the way.[return][return]There are a few negatives regarding the book. At times, it feel like Martin's own organization is mentioned too much. She's also a lawyer with a Harvard education, obviously a person with incredible resources a normal parent can't access. I do appreciate her positive approach and that she has created a book that is accessible to parents of all income levels. There is a definite need for this material.(less)
It's 1935, and 12-year-old Moose Flanagan moves onto Alcatraz Island along with his parents and his unusual sister, Natalie. His dad works double shif...moreIt's 1935, and 12-year-old Moose Flanagan moves onto Alcatraz Island along with his parents and his unusual sister, Natalie. His dad works double shifts as a guard and electrician, and his mom devotes all her time to getting Nat into a special school in San Francisco. As for Moose, he's curious about sharing the same island with the famed Al Capone, but most of all he wants to play baseball. As if Natalie's tantrums and social issues weren't bad enough, the warden's pesky daughter concocts scheme after scheme to get access to Capone and the rest of the Alcatraz kids are unwilling pawns in her game--Moose and Nat included.[return][return]This middle grade book is a quick read. The setting and time period are intriguing, but I was especially interested to see how autism was regarded at that time. As the mother of an autistic child... wow. I hurt for Moose's mom and everything she endured to get her child help. There were some annoying aspects for me, mainly the warden's daughter, Piper. I kinda wished that someone would slug her and knock some sense into her. It's rather like an episode of the Flintstones, wherein you know everything is going to go wrong right from the get-go and the innocent is going to get the blame. She did get less annoying by the end, but ugh.[return][return]I'll be keeping this in my library for my son to read it someday, but I'm not going to rush out and buy the sequel.(less)
I don't read many romances, but I bought this for two reasons: one of the agent blogs I follow mentioned it was a good book with an autistic male lead...moreI don't read many romances, but I bought this for two reasons: one of the agent blogs I follow mentioned it was a good book with an autistic male lead; my son is autistic and I'm always seeking out books with autistic characters. Secondly, I met the author two years ago at a writers' conference (and will see her at the same con next month) and thought she was a very kind person and a good historical fiction writer.[return][return]Lord Ian Mackenzie is quite mad. He'd be the first to admit that. It's common knowledge he resided in an insane asylum as a child and as an adult he's an eccentric who doesn't look people in the eye yet is brilliant with numbers and facts. Meanwhile, Beth is a widowed vicar's wife who has recently come into quite an inheritance from the estate of an elderly employer. She's newly engaged to Sir Mathers--at least, until Ian meets her for the first time and abruptly informs her that Mathers is a cad who keeps ladies for sordid purposes and only wants her money. The attraction between Ian and Beth is instantaneously, though obstacles quickly present themselves, including two dead prostitutes and a Scotland Yard inspector with believes Ian is to blame.[return][return]I thoroughly enjoyed this Victorian romance. Beth (which is my own name!) and Ian have fantastic chemistry. Both characters are fully realized, though I particularly loved Ian. Ashley did a wonderful job of making it clear that Ian is autistic without making him a parody of the disorder. Actually, many of his traits--the good and the bad--reminded me of my own four-year-old son, which is weird since it's a romance book, but at the same time makes me feel more positively about his future relationships.[return][return]The only turn-off about the book is the fact that Ian associated with prostitutes in the past. That does squick me a bit, even though I know within the context of the period it would have been the most likely option for him.[return][return]That said, I'll be keeping this book on my shelf and I'm reminded I need to read more of Jennifer Ashley's books. I intend to get this copy signed by her next month.(less)
I admit it. I'm a coward. When it comes to taking my autistic son out in public, I often balk. Can he handle this new place? Will noises set him off?...moreI admit it. I'm a coward. When it comes to taking my autistic son out in public, I often balk. Can he handle this new place? Will noises set him off? What if we spend a lot of money and have to flee early because of his behavior?[return][return]The good news is that Lisa Jo Rudy wrote a book for parents like me. In Get Out, Explore, and Have Fun! How Families with Autism and Asperger Syndrome Can Get the Most out of Community Activities, she offers over 200-pages of advice on introducing developmentally-delayed children to broader experiences. Using gentle suggestions, Rudy outlines strategies for familiarizing an autistic child with sports, youth groups, museums, centers of faith, the arts, and clubs. Furthermore, every chapter ends with several pages to print out and offer to relevant community leaders so that they are aware of some of the quirks of autism, but that they should still challenge the child and be fair to everyone in the group.[return][return]I've read many books and articles on autism. Some have the tendency to be preachy, or suggest there's only one way to go about socialization. Not so here. Rudy encourages parents to challenge their child and try new things, but know when to read the signs and back down. If one sort of activity doesn't work now, try at a different, less busy time of day, or with a different instructor, or in a few years when the child is more mature. She often uses her own son, Tom, as an inspiring example along with other children of various ages.[return][return]When I finished this book, I felt empowered. I was ready to go through the long list of her suggested internet links to find out what was available locally. I realized that yes, I haven't been a total coward. I have tried new things with my son, some to success, others… not so much. The important thing is that I keep trying. Maybe we could try attending church again. Maybe I could investigate local clubs. With this resource, that process will remain a challenge, but now I have more information at hand to educate myself and any group leaders involved.[return][return]I highly recommend this to any parent of an autistic child.[return][return]*Note that I received a gratis copy from the publisher. If I had not, I would have bought this book within the coming months.(less)
In this very straightforward and easy to read memoir, Daniel Tammet describes how his mind works with synesthesia, his struggles during childhood, and...moreIn this very straightforward and easy to read memoir, Daniel Tammet describes how his mind works with synesthesia, his struggles during childhood, and how he has blossomed as an adult. Tammet earned fame in the past decade after he took on a challenge to memorize and recite pi to over 22,500 digits, and did so in a marathon session. He was also challenged to learn Icelandic within the span of a week, with only three days of immersion in the country. However, his early childhood memories are just as fascinating. He is the eldest in a large family, and never fit in at school, though he was oblivious to his social awkwardness for many years. He was too fixated on things of interest--textures, numbers, even ladybirds (ladybugs). At the end of the book, he acknowledges those same deep introversion traits that alienated him as a child have earned him tremendous acclaim as an adult.[return][return]For me, this story felt very personal. My six-year-old son is autistic and some teachers have wondered if he is a savant because of his mathematical memory skills. He shares many traits with Tammet, including severe sensitivity to noise and obliviousness to things and people around him. Therefore, it was inspiring for me to read about Tammet and how far he has come in life. I'm not just speaking of the academic success; Tammet has a wonderful and supportive partner and manages a household. He has a fully-rounded and satisfying life. What more can any parent ask for?[return][return]This is a book I'm keeping on the shelf for my son to read someday.(less)
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