<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Good for toilet paper.
Review: I read this book for the first time in a psychology class I was taking. When my teacher first handed me the book, I looked at it a few times before realizing this was written by one of my childhood friends mom's. At the time, I was very unaware of the situation with Paul. I was in awe of Jane and her ability to write this book. This had to have been a very hard thing for her to do.After reading this book, I had a better understanding of Paul, as well as a much better understanding of autism.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing
Review: I read this book for the first time in a psychology class I was taking. When my teacher first handed me the book, I looked at the cover a few times before realizing that this book was written by one of my childhood friends moms. I grew up around this family and at the time I was very unaware of what the situation was with Paul. I was incredibly impressed with Jane's ability to write this book. I know this had to be a very hard thing for her to start. After reading this book, not only did I understand Paul's situation, but I had a great understanding of autism.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I read this book for the first time in a psychology class I was taking. When my teacher first handed me the book, I looked at the cover a few times before realizing that this book was written by one of my childhood friends moms. I grew up around this family and at the time I was very unaware of what the situation was with Paul. I was incredibly impressed with Jane's ability to write this book. I know this had to be a very hard thing for her to start. After reading this book, not only did I understand Paul's situation, but I had a great understanding of autism.
Rating:
Summary: The best book on Autism I've read.
Review: I was loaned a copy of this book along with dozens of other books once my son was diagnosed. I put this book at the bottom of the heap because I was sure I would "cure" him with dietary interventions etc. I was sure I didn't want to be depressed by what I was sure would be a sorrowful experience. After a few months I was going through my desk and saw the book, felt ready to read it - McDonnell's book has eased my fears. My experiences with my son mirror some of hers - but mostly she gave me a human view or perhaps a humane view of autism. I feel that after reading her book and Paul's afterword that I am more patient and can understand more of what it is like to be in my son's mind. I hope Paul continues to do well in life - I enjoyed being able to have a glimpse into his life. The writing itself is wonderful prose - to be expected from an English professor I suppose - describes a real life situation without promising a cure. As a parent of a "High functioning" son, I found it to be a terrific escape from all the promises, and pressure in most books out there.
Heart warming, sensitive and honest. Get a hold of a copy! You will not regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Good for toilet paper.
Review: I'm a young adult with Aspergers Syndrome and I find it silly how Kate McDonnel gives herself so much credit for helping Paul succede when during his most critical years of development she was a depressed drunk. Curious how she never mentions her possibly drinking during pregnancy to contributing to Paul's Autism and Kate's Cerebral Paulsey. If that wasn't bad enough she and her husband due to their cultural/gender prejudices encourage Kate to be confident, secure and independent while making Paul needy and dependent by forcing him to go to the "special kids camp" and making him feel even worse. The psycholigists at the hospital were right to see Paul as passive agressive because later on in a relationship he threatened to kill himself if his girlfriend left him. This is classic P/A behavior, overprotective, overbearing mothers combined with abusive often absent fathers. Right now I'm very active in what I call the "Alpha" community, Alpha meaning (autistic, asperger, add/adhd). That one lady was right how the only reason Paul got so far was due to himself and his friend Allen. I myself came from a dysfunctional family but I overcame it. What Jane and Paul McDonnel have done to Paul is child abuse of a severe magnitude, if anyone out there wants to learn more about High Functioning Autism or Aspergers, please do not buy this book and continue lining this sick, pathological couple's wallets.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST AUTISUM BOOKS
Review: THIS BOOK WAS GREAT. IT IS TOO BAD IT IS OUT OF PRINT. ANYONE INTRESTED IN AUTIUM OR ASPERGERS SYNDROME SHOULD TRY AND GET A HOLD OF THIS. YOU REALLY FEEL FOR THE MOM IN THE BOOK.
Rating:
Summary: The best book on Autism I've read.
Review: This book was orginally published the year my son was diagnosised with autism. During that time it was like a Bible to me. I had the good fortune to have my son diagnosised by the same pyschologist who diagnosised Paul and as such was able to meet Paul and Jane several times. What is most impressive is Jane's committment to give Paul normalcy! In a day and age of fad "cures" and extreme methods of treatment. This story shows that one cannot achieve "normalcy" by being robbed of it. This is a story of a mother who honors her child's individuality while continually struggling to pull him into the world. Because of her committment to give him every opportunity to participate in the world as he would as if he had been typical, today Paul shows little discrepency to that of his typical peers. This book is a testament that their are no miracle cures. What ultimately has made the biggest difference for those individuals with autism living integrated lives is that they were giving the same opportunities and educational experiences as typical peers and at some point they gained self awareness. I have had the honor of hearing Paul speak publically, he speaks with grace and humor and sensitivity. Most individuals who have received intense behavior modification and other so called "treatments" will never function as high as Paul does today. As his mother has said that if he had been exposed to such types of therapies, he would not have achieved what he has,as they would have compromised his intergrity and self-esteem. This book is a testament that their is no ceiling on what is possible for an individual with a disability, if they are included within society from day one and if their dignity and individuality is respected.
<< 1 >>
| 
