Here is a question to ponder. Do you prefer reading a book by another parent, an adult on the spectrum or a professional working in the field?
Suppose you could only get one book - would it be from another Mom sharing her story, an adult who has real life experience on the spectrum or the professional who sees kids for several hours a day?
I have books in my library from all three sources. If given the chance for only one book I would make it one from someone like Temple Grandin or Stephen Shore, both adults on the Autism Spectrum and public speakers helping with awareness.
I have seen Stephen Shore a few years ago at an autism conference and will be seeing Temple Grandin tomorrow at another autism conference. I have read both of their books.
Someday I do hope to write a book on my experience as a single parent utilizing resources to raise tow kids on the Spectrum. However, there are many books on the market that tout one therapy over another, promote a certain agenda to follow and claim their children have been cured. These are of no interest to me as I have read some and prefer to read upbeat positive books that reflect life on the spectrum on a daily basis.
Professionals choose to work with the autism community, but most do not have a child on the spectrum, so their home life is nothing like ours, therefore they do not have a full scope of the disorder and how to give us advice from their own experiences.
I would choose a professional book dealing with behaviors over an adult with autism writing about love, marriage and sex since that is more geared to the one on the Autism Spectrum and not exactly the parent.
Feel free to discuss your favorite book on the topic of autism and if given the choice which you would prefer to read - a book by another Mom, one by an adult on the Spectrum or a professional in the field?
The group to join is http://autismfamilies.gather.com
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Comments: 10
This article is specifically about books and which one a parent to a child would choose.
I really feel your comment is out of line and you are not a parent, so not the targeted reader.
You want me to write a book? LOL I have a life story, but no suggestions. Try everything, be happoy while it works, when it stops working ( behavior modification techniques that is) try something else... *smirk* It's like my rotating star chart on my starz wall. Keeping track of good starz, for rewards works for a few weeks, then the kids will perseverate on something else and forget the starz and it won't be a big deal until the next movie, or action figure or trip to the lake :).
I have never seen Temple Grandin except on TV- She reminded me an awful lot like my grandmother. But I do really enjoy her books.
Have you read Dawn Prince-Hughes' book `Songs of the Gorilla Nation' ? Great book!
Enjoy,
Sabby- both a parent and on the spectrum...
I met Temple Grandin yesterday at the autism conference here in the Los Angeles area and even tape recorded the first hour of her talk. I have Dawn's book, not read it yet as it is among a dozen other books to read and I saw her on the Jane pauley show last year.
Thanks for your comment, did you join the group?
I think a book by a parent is excellent, but I think all three have something to offer.