Customer Reviews

Asperger Syndrome, the Universe and Everything

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I read this book in one sitting, and enjoyed every moment of it. One thing I am sure of is that, when the time comes comes to have "The Talk" with my son, when he expresses an interest in knowing what makes him (and me) so different from other people, this will be one of the first resources to which I turn. In fact, I may approach the initial process by reading this book aloud together.

This boy, Kenneth, does a wonderful job of explaining his emotions and struggles as he works very, very hard at making his life (and everyone else's) better. He works hard, and he frankly shares his experiences, good and bad. He wonders if his mission in life will be to help others like himself, and if it is, he's already made good progress. I am not Christian, but I found his sense of God and the wonders of the world around him to be quite moving, and his sense of justice and ethics to be quite strong for such a young child.

I think this is a wonderful book; one which should be read by the teachers, caregivers, siblings, and most importantly, parents of AS kids.

When I asked my 9 year old son who has Aspeger Syndrome what he thought of this book he said it was "Great!" I read this book only a few months after my son was diagnosed last year and it was greatly reassuring. Although my son is not as brilliant or gifted as this ten year old author obviously is, the book is such a positive portrayal of the realities of having an child with Asperger's that it makes my son glow with pride that he is special like Kenneth and has so much in common with him. It gave us a new way of thinking of Aspergers, that it is not just a "disability" but a personality style, a different way of viewing the world. Yes, having a child who is AS is sometimes extremely difficult, but this book is inspirational and makes me believe that there is no end to what my son can achieve...in his own way. Let your AS child read this book!

Kristi Sakai, parent of 3 with Asperger Syndrome and author of
Finding Our Way: Practical Solutions for Creating a Supportive Home and Community for the Asperger Syndrome Family

My twelve year old son was diagnosed as having Asperger's Syndrome during the past year and I have spent much of that year trying to learn as much as possible about his condition. I've read four other books on AS, and while they were all very good at describing this condition in clinical and sometimes anecdotal terms, none of them came close to being as enlightening and entertaining as young Kenneth Halls account of his condition. Perhaps it's because his personality and his AS mirror my own son's so closely, but my heart literaly sang as I read this book and discovered that all of my child's "unusal" behaviors were not merely idiosycracies, but part of a neurological condition which is shared by many people around the world. It's one thing to read a doctor's description of AS, and it's quite another to read a little boy honestly laying out the "cosy" fabric of his life. I can't thank Master Hall enough for his work in writing this book, and I can't recommend it enough to other parents and AS individuals. Sometimes you need to walk around in another man's boots (or books)to really understand him.

Awesome! Kenneth is a 10 year old boy with AS. This book helps AS parents, teachers, & others to understand the delicate and complicated perspectives of an AS child's brain. Kenneth describes how the world looks to him and how so many things are a challenge for him. I've read the book numerous times. I have also quoted it in meetings and appeal hearings to help others understand my AS son's strenths and weaknesses. It allows "outsiders" an inside look at the world of Aspergers. My son has read it and feels it is describing his life. He is amazed that there is someone in the world that feels the way he does and views things the same way. This is a definite read for all who interact with these special children.

...While it is relatively easy for an Asperger adult to find resources that make our world more clear, it is often a difficult journey for our children to find much of anything they can relate to. No more! This book is a must-have for any young person who wants to hear in clear tones, what AS is. Kenneth is to be applauded for having the courage to share so much of himself with his audience. We for two, are most appreciative....

I just finished reading this fabulous, quick-read book written by a 10 year-old boy who has Asperger Syndrome. A friend recommended it to me after I mentioned that I would have (for the first time) a student in my 8th grade science class this school year who has the "disorder." This book, written by Kenneth Hall, has shown me a great deal about the Syndrome and what may be going on in the mind of my upcoming student. Hall writes about himself through the chapters "Who Am I?" "What is Different About Me?" "My Strengths," and "My Beliefs." I look forward to sharing this book with the other teachers and faculty who will be working with this student and with other students who have Asperger Syndrome or who are Autistic. I recommend this book for parents, teachers, counselors, principals, family members, and friends of Asperger children. It may also be a fine tool to use with Asperger children themselves, so they can compare and contrast their thoughts and feelings with Hall's.

I love this book. I really do. Kenneth Hall, the young man who wrote it provides a candid inside view of Asperger's Syndrome or AS. AS is a neurological condition that is on the Autism spectrum.

A brilliant young man, Kenneth Hall discusses his early school experiences; his current home schooling curriculum and the people he works with; his sensitivity to loud noises and tastes; his heightened sensory modes and his loving family. I love his sense of humor. He describes his behavior program where he says he has learned to break tasks down into a sequence of steps in order to follow through and not lose his place. I love the way he describes the jokes he pulls and the games he enjoys.

This gifted young man is truly a gift. His deep spirituality and his acceptance of himself all speak to hope, empowerment and a positive face on Asperger's. A spectrum condtion and NOT a mental illness, Asperger's Syndrome is often considered "undefined differences" and many persons with AS are not diagnosed. This book will provide good clear explanations and descriptions of it. How wonderful it would have been had this book existed a generation ago. I wish I had had this book when I was 8!

Hats off to Kenneth Hall, his gifts of natural expression, fun and imagination and creativity. I can't recommend this highly enough.

I devoured this book in one fell swoop and felt I understood my daughter so much better from it, that I was getting a glimpse into her mind, as wonderful and difficult as it is. An unforgettable quote from Kenneth was, "Everyone is autistic," which helps me understand and sympathize with people and their struggles to socialize and understand themselves, both AS and "normal" folk. I gave the book to my 7 year old daughter to read and she related to Kenneth. The next day, she asked me if she had AS, and after some hemming and hawing (the diagnosis is not clear), I finally said yes. She was relieved and said she was glad because she knew she thought differently from other people. Her babysitter, grandmother and aunts read it and all immediately felt like they were having a conversation with my daughter while reading it. Now I am buying more copies for the family so that everyone may understand her better. Kenneth writes so well and simply that, without any formal training, I feel I could apply the methods of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) with my daughter. It also helps that it's a short, easy-to-read book that doesn't require a great time or energy commitment.

I couldn't put this book down. It is very insightful. As a mom of a son with AS, it is very helpful to read about Kenneth's thoughts. My son can't talk about his feelings as clearly as Kenneth. The only down-side of the book, if there is one, is that Kenneth is not a typical child with AS. Not all kids with AS are members of Mensa. I want my son's teacher to read the book. I think that it will help him to undertand my son better. Overall, I really enjoyed it and found it useful.

This book helped me understand my child with Asperger's syndrome better than any of the books by "professionals." Excellent book, amazing boy!