Another little book about the traits of autism to help kids understand more about what someone with autism might be like. For the most part, there areAnother little book about the traits of autism to help kids understand more about what someone with autism might be like. For the most part, there are truths in this book but some stereotypes I feel are harmful.
First - the idea that someone with autism might be better at math or logic based things like science. That's totally unfair. Some autistic people are incredibly artistic. Or are good at writing, or dance or anything. Just like anyone else. Being nerdy is not a requirement for autism or is it an indicator of it.
"It's raining cats and dogs" - no one is looking for animals to be dropping from the sky. To an autistic individual (like me) the phrase sounds weird and out of context. Why would someone say it. We don't expect falling critters every time it rains. We're not stupid.
"Autistic people might prefer someone show them how to do things rather than telling them." No. Not at all. There are several different learning styles. Some autistic people learn better through demonstration. Some thrive (like one of my sons who has autism) with written instructions. Others want to be told in steps (like me). We're all different. Do not make these kinds of generalizations.
Meltdowns are not caused only by sensory overload. Other things can trigger it (like frustration with trying to do something hard or even just being treated differently by people. Because guess what, people with autism are frequently aware they are thought of as 'different' and really hate it. A lot). It can seem uncontrollable and even be somewhat uncontrollable initially but meltdowns can be managed. We work hard to not let things like this bother us.
Also, just so you know - sensory overload does not mean a child with autism is going to go off like a stick of dynamite. Seriously. Sometimes we just want to leave or avoid the stimulus. Sometimes we have to work a little harder to ignore it. Sometimes we just speak up and say, "I don't like that." We have a lot of different responses to things.
Seriously, these books need to stop. I really don't like how black and white these portrayals are....more
Your friend has autism and aren't you the bigger person for being friends with them anyway?
Sorry, but this book triggers the living daylights out of mYour friend has autism and aren't you the bigger person for being friends with them anyway?
Sorry, but this book triggers the living daylights out of me. Between the attitude toward the autistic child and all the ways you can learn how to be compassionate enough to befriend this difficult impossible individual, and the idea that autism needs to be 'cured' like it's some rabid disease, I've had enough.
As an individual with autism, books like this tend to just make me mad. "Kids with autism don't understand it's rude to walk away"???? Guess what, kids with autism are capable of learning things like this. No, not everything is understood automatically sometimes, but GAH!!!!! I've had enough.
Really, this book does more harm than good. Definitely avoid this one....more
Once again we have a picture book where someone tells the story of an autistic boy from what they observe about him. WeI really didn't like this book.
Once again we have a picture book where someone tells the story of an autistic boy from what they observe about him. We're staring at this child and only looking at his difficulties and struggles but we tend to forget autism is about more than the incidents which set them apart. Nowhere in this book do we see Sam as 'normal.' At all.
But autistic kids are more than the traits which are used for diagnosis. I think people forget this. We only underscore the differences, and all the ways he's 'not like us' and apart from the rest of the world. It's a shame we can't accept the Sam in this story as a normal part of our world and not someone who has to stick out like a sore thumb.
I speak this way because I'm autistic and this isn't how I want people to think of me....more
This is a story about a boy with autism, as told by his family in a scrapbook style. I didn't care for this book very much despite the time and care pThis is a story about a boy with autism, as told by his family in a scrapbook style. I didn't care for this book very much despite the time and care put into creating it, simply because it makes some real strong generalizations. As someone with autism, I feel I can safely say I don't experience autism in the same way as their son (in some ways, yes. In others no) which is why this kind of language bothers me.
What was worse though, as this book takes a lot of time to explain how someone with autism is 'different' from those around them. This feels 'othering' to me, which can be dangerous as it teaches kids to look at those who are different as having something 'wrong' with them.
It's a shame, really, because I really wanted to like this book....more
This is one of those books people write when they think they understand autism but don't have a clue. Not because they don't live with it - I'm sure tThis is one of those books people write when they think they understand autism but don't have a clue. Not because they don't live with it - I'm sure the author has some knowledge of what it looks like from the outside. But you don't get it from the inside and it shows.
And people really need to quit thinking talking about Autism Speaks as a positive resource for those who are on the spectrum. Please, as a person with autism, no.
I really didn't like this book, which is a shame because I wanted to. It's hard to have a sibling with autism. But everything about this book hits me wrong. There are better books out there. I'd avoid this one.
I'm giving 2 stars for trying to address a serious topic, even if the conclusions weren't great....more
I like "own voices" picture books about autism, because they really do ring true. In this particular story, this girl has issues with things which areI like "own voices" picture books about autism, because they really do ring true. In this particular story, this girl has issues with things which are sticky. Her worries, and the way others work with her to get through this particular challenge are heartwarming. I'm glad there's books like this to remind autistic children they're not alone when it comes to difficult things. Even more important, I'm glad there are books like this to explain to the other children why some things they do easily might be harder for those around them. A great book to inspire discussion and to gain a better understanding of the world around you....more
Not as pleased with this book as I could have been.
In this story there's a cute little zebra who is representing an autistic child. While there is anNot as pleased with this book as I could have been.
In this story there's a cute little zebra who is representing an autistic child. While there is an interesting concept of having an 'autistic stripe' which is only part of who this child is, there are other aspects to the story which felt a little 'wrong' or 'off' to me. I can't put my finger quite on why I didn't like this representation, only that I didn't like it very much. Maybe there is someone here who has left a review who can put into words what I'm feeling better than I can right now.
Quick note: As someone who myself has autism, this still feels so much like being singled out in a not quite so positive way, especially when you get to the resources in the back of the book....more
Wow, I wish I'd had this book years ago when my first child was diagnosed as autistic. Told simply, in a clear style autism and life with autism becomWow, I wish I'd had this book years ago when my first child was diagnosed as autistic. Told simply, in a clear style autism and life with autism becomes something easy to understand, a far cry from all those more scholarly books I initially turned to for information. I find myself really feeling for this family, and wanting to take the positive attitude of the parents for myself. Highly recommended to anyone who has an autistic child....more
Oh my goodness, can you please write MORE of these? Please?
As a mystery lover, the story captivated. As a lover of well-written Young Adult this storyOh my goodness, can you please write MORE of these? Please?
As a mystery lover, the story captivated. As a lover of well-written Young Adult this story had all the elements of a great book on friendship with a hint of romance. But as someone with Asperger's Syndrome, I want to find the author and thank them profusely for writing this book.
Colin is the aspie that I WANT to be. He had in high school so much help to understand facial expression - I really wish I had those cards, those helpers (why couldn't I have had a Marie) and wonderful parents there for him in every way.
I'll get a copy of this book to keep, not just to re-read, but to hand out to people who don't seem to understand ME very well. Because I hope after reading it, they will even if I'm not a 'Colin.'
I couldn't possibly recommend this book more. Thank you for writing this, guys!...more
For me maybe this book hits a little bit too close to home. But it's real and that's what I like about it.
The thing is, I don't give a lot of thoughtFor me maybe this book hits a little bit too close to home. But it's real and that's what I like about it.
The thing is, I don't give a lot of thought to what the people around me go through. About how patient they have to be. About how much effort they have to put into the relationship. So this book kind of puts a hard knot in my throat, making it hard to talk about. Making it hard to breathe. I want to apologize for needing so many rules. For being autistic....more
I'd heard a lot about this book and am very glad I finally picked it up. For one thing, you've got Alcatraz - what's not to like about the country's mI'd heard a lot about this book and am very glad I finally picked it up. For one thing, you've got Alcatraz - what's not to like about the country's most famous prison for a setting for a kid's book?
Oh don't get me wrong, this isn't a book for little kids, it's actually aimed at middle readers though older readers can get a lot out of it too.
Now we add in the depression, one of the world's most famous criminals, and autism and you've got something interesting.
Yep, I said autism.
This isn't so much about the prison as the relationships of those who live and work there. It's not just a historical story or bit of humorous school story, but you've got family and secrets and the painful truths of what it's like to live with someone who doesn't fit in, especially when that family doesn't even understand what's wrong with the eldest child.
I loved this book. I will definitely seek out the rest of the series. Highly recommended!...more
I came at this book years ago and then put it down because the diagnosis of my son was new and I was hopingThis wasn't everything I hoped it would be.
I came at this book years ago and then put it down because the diagnosis of my son was new and I was hoping for answers. This doesn't really provide very many of those I don't think.
Instead you have case studies Lots and lots of case studies, along with some pretty weighty science and explanation (and he admits there isn't a lot of explanation) and description of various therapies used on those patients with varying degrees of success.
My thoughts? There are better books out there to explain autism. There are also more interesting personal stories. This might serve well as an introduction, and it carries interest in discovering the wide range of auistic behavior. But if you are looking for solid, easy to understand practical information, this isn't the book for you....more
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