SOLVED. autobiography by mother of an autistic/Aspergers boy (diagnosed as an adult) and how difficult it was to understand and love him while he was growing up [s]

[Janet]

I read it 5 - 10 years ago. I think it took place in the UK. It is a first person account by a mother rasing her son who has various problems. She was a single mother (divorced?) but got a new boyfriend or husband part-way through. I don't remember all the issues with the son, but the one I remember most is that he had problems with controlling his bowel movements. He was also not employed or going to school. She seemed to struggle with blaming him for his actions, thinking he was lazy, careless, etc. Then later he is diagnosed with autism, and she realises she has been judging him harshly rather than giving him the supports he needs. It was a tough story - really laying bare lots of family problems.

[Mike]

Could it be: Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison?

http://www.google.com/products/catalo...#

[Janet]

Thanks for the suggestion, but no, that's not it. That was his own autobiography, and was quite interesting. There really are quite a few Aspergers autobiographies out there now. The one I am thinking of was written by the mother of the person with Aspergers.

[Cheryl]

Finding Ben: A Mother's Journey Through the Maze of Asperger's?

[Janet]

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Finding Ben: A Mother's Journey Through the Maze of Asperger's?"

Thank you! I didn't think this was it at first, but I took it out of the library and have found that in fact it is the one I was thinking of.