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A Regular Guy: Growing Up with Autism
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A memoir about life with an autistic son, Matthew, written from his mother's perspective. It answers the many questions that people have about autism through the story of Matthew's life spanning from babyhood to young adulthood. A Regular Guy illustrates the many ways in which family, friends and strangers are touched by Matthew's desperate desire to be a regular guy, and
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Paperback, 256 pages
Published
July 7th 2008
by Landscape Press
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Truthful, realistic - if you happen to be wealthy and have a son with autism. From my perspective of a mother of a 12 year old with autism (whose birthday is the same as the son in this book, only 11 years later), it's apparent that money greases things. These folks are able to afford to send their son to an idyllic farm community school when his behavior becomes disruptive. Most people cannot even dream of being able to do this and must manage without the hired help and special schools, the abi
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4.5 stars--rounding up because they raised their sons in the city where I live. I feel like Laura is a neighbor and someone I would love to meet.
Who should read this: any educator, physician, caregiver for people with Autism or anyone who has an autistic family member or friend, anyone who simply wants to learn more so that he/she does not act like a total cunt when confronted with someone with any kind of Developmental Delay or Mental Disorder or Brain Disorder.
I loved Laura's writing--I liter ...more
Who should read this: any educator, physician, caregiver for people with Autism or anyone who has an autistic family member or friend, anyone who simply wants to learn more so that he/she does not act like a total cunt when confronted with someone with any kind of Developmental Delay or Mental Disorder or Brain Disorder.
I loved Laura's writing--I liter ...more
Laura Shumaker brings us inside the world of a parent who is raising a son with autism in her heartfelt memoir, A Regular Guy: Growing Up With Autism. When Matthew was born, Shumaker and her husband marveled over their perfect baby and looked forward to watching him grow. But as he grew into a toddler, the Shumakers became concerned about developmental delays they noticed, and they questioned his pediatrician.
It took many frustrating visits to many physicians before Matthew was diagnosed with au ...more
It took many frustrating visits to many physicians before Matthew was diagnosed with au ...more
Great read...I couldn't put this book down! The author's writing style is conversational and mirrors many of my own thoughts, fears, emotions. She accurately portrays how autism impacts the WHOLE family, in wonderful and heartbreaking ways. She empathetically characterizes the exhaustive effort, confusion and disappointments for a mother, father, siblings, and extended family of a special needs child.
This book is an excellent choice for a special needs teacher, therapist, family member or famil ...more
This book is an excellent choice for a special needs teacher, therapist, family member or famil ...more
Although I don't have any first-hand experience with autism as a parent, I found myself connecting with this book from my perspective as the mom of a child with ADHD. Ms. Shumaker has shared her family's story with us, and we get a personal account of the challenges and rewards she has experienced as the parent of Matthew, her oldest child whose autism was diagnosed in early childhood. The author really puts it all out there-- her frustrations, her fears, her challenges connecting with other par
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A very tender, honest, sensitive memoir. Local (Northern Cal) author Shumaker tells sad, sweet, heartwarming stories about raising her autistic son in her loving family. Someone below mentioned that this is a great book for those who have NO experience with autism, and I heartily agree! Reading about her struggles as a mother, but mostly reading about Matthew's struggles as a developmentally challenged young adult - and the reactions of the world around him - made me cry and laugh out loud and b
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Mrs. Shumaker the author of this book should be commended for putting a light on the daily life of living with a child with autism. This was a wonderfully heartfelt book. I found it sad at times as Matthew wanted to be a "Regular Guy", but due to his autism didn't understand certain socially acceptable ways. It shed new light on what a person with moderate autism goes through.
Thank you again Laura for sharing your story.
Thank you again Laura for sharing your story.
Sep 14, 2008
Kate
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in autism, memoirs or family love stories
I absolutely recommend this book, not only to those who are living with an autistic family member, but to those who have no experience with autism whatsoever. Laura's warm and sensitive stories will open your heart to the special challenges and rewards of raising a regular guy with autism. A very engaging and informative read for neighbors, schoolmates, teachers, coworkers, and anyone wanting to better understand autism. And a heck of a good love story.
www.marshallbooks.net
www.marshallbooks.net
I laughed and cried - honestly cried a lot. As the mom of two boys on the autism spectrum this hit home hard and I loved reading the story of a woman, wife & mom who "gets it" and truly knows the roller coaster ride life is with extraordinary kids like ours. Lara is honest, heart wrenching, and you feel like she's become a close friend by the time you finish this book!
An amazing read for anyone who has been affected by Autism. So many similarities to our grandson, so many differences!!!! The difficulties, concerns, frustrations, hearbream and impact on the siblings.... Incredible. The strength to deal everyday with the challenges ......Unbelievable and so well told in this book, all told with love. Get your box of tissues!!!!
I loved this book! I completey empathized with the author and recognized so many of those emotions with my son. Please read this book if you know someone with autism (or a similar disorder). You'll gain a deeper understanding of the family dynamics and of the disorder itself. Thank you Laura for sharing your life with us!
I loved this book! I read it shortly after my son was diagnosed with autism, and I felt her story really helped give me some insight into how life can be for the parents and siblings of a family affected by autism. I found her story to be deeply moving, honest, funny, and sad as I read it. It was one of those books that I was sad to finish as I wanted to keep reading more.
Really made me think about things my family will have to worry about in the future with my nephew. Some parts I just couldn't help but laugh although I know his family may not have been laughing at the time. Very relatable for families with special members.
This is a tough, but engaging story of a family learning to accept and guide their autistic son through the world. Some very hard parts offset by moments of hope and laughter for Matthew, his parents, and his brothers.
Easy to read book. I think everyone should read this book so that they can better understand what parents of autistic children go through. Hopefully, she will write a follow-up book on her son's adult life.
"You don't know you have patience until it is tested." - Laura Shumaker
This is very true especially in Laura's case. This was a wonderful memoir about Laura and her family dealing with Autism everyday and learning to accept it.
This is very true especially in Laura's case. This was a wonderful memoir about Laura and her family dealing with Autism everyday and learning to accept it.
Met the author, not heavy. Very down to earth, good perspective on what it is like to raise an autistic child and how you are pereceived by society, the challenges faced and how to deal with an adult autistic child.
I thought this was a really wonderful reflection on raising a child with autism. Not sugar-coating the difficult parts nor making things more dire than they are, Laura really does an excellent job just telling it like it is.
funny, real, heart-breaking. a good intro to the autism experience.
Well-written and authentic. It will warm your heart.
Laura Shumaker is a local author, who raised her family in the same town I grew up in. Her story is easy to relate to, heartbreaking, and hopeful. I appreciate her sharing it with the rest of us.
Great to read about the adult side of autism. More focus is needed on employmrnt for adults. My main focus is to use network marketing to create income. With the right mentors it'll work.
Really gives great insight into what it is like being parents and siblings of a person with Autism! Very good read.
A rather terrible book focused on a selfish parent who sees her autistic son as a tragedy for her own life and wishes he would just be "normal" already.
Well done, basically targeted at those with any interest in conditions of autism/ the autism spectrum. A fine personal testimony in a mom's first person account about her son.
Feb 23, 2008
Linda
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
everyone
Recommended to Linda by:
Elizabeth Fishel
Shelves:
completed
This book will be publshed and available on September 1, 2008. My review is of the Galley.
for more information and excerpts go to:
www.laurashumaker.com
for more information and excerpts go to:
www.laurashumaker.com
If you want to know what it's like to raise a child with autism on a very real and practical level this book will enlighten you.
Apr 14, 2015
Jamie Cormier
added it
awesome book to see what parents of autistic children have to go through.
May 07, 2010
Meredith
added it
I was really interesting and a quick read
This was a real page turner. Read it in almost one day. I had only briefly been introduced to autism before. You will fall in love with this family.
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