Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome [Paperback]

Stephen M. Shore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2001

This honest courageous book, written by a person with high-functioning autism and Asperger Syndrome offers so much more than the traditional autobiography. Drawing on personal and professional experiences, Stephen Shore, who is currently completing his doctoral degree in special education at Boston University, combines three voices to create a touching and, at the same time, a highly informative book. The autobiographical voice tells Stephen's life, including his parent's frustrations with the educational and medical communities, his adolescence and now married adult life. The "time shifter" fills in the background information about his life that is otherwise out of chronological order of the events being related; finally the researcher's voice puts Stephen's personal life within the context of the research literature on autism and Asperger Syndrome. By using this triple lens, the book offers insights for parents, professionals as well as individuals who have Asperger Syndrome.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...an unusually interesting, well-written and insightful autobiographical account of the life of a person with high-functioning autism/Asperger Syndrome. -- Bernard Rimland Ph.D., director, Autism Research Institute

Stephen Shore's unique perspective makes this autobiography a wonderful, inspirational and educational book. The author provides valuable practical information... -- Stanley D. Klein, Ph.D., co-editor, You Will Dream New Dreams, Inspiring Personal Stories by Parents of Children with Disabilities

Stephen's words softened my heart. They made me proud to be a fellow aspie. -- Liane Holliday Willey, Ed.D. Author of Pretending to be Normal: Living with Asperger Syndrome and Asperger Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal.

About the Author

Stephen Shore is completing his doctoral degree in special education at Boston University with a focus on helping people on the autism spectrum developing their capacities to the fullest extent possible.

Product Details

• Paperback: 174 pages
• Publisher: Autism Asperger Pub Co; 1st edition (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931282005
• ISBN-13: 978-1931282000
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,964,978 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What It's Like On "The Inside", December 17, 2003

By 

Jeffrey Sherman (Ojai, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Second Edition (Paperback)

As the father of a seven year old son who resides at the light end of the Autism Spectrum, I found Stephens book to be one of the very best I have read by someone who resides on The Spectrum themselves. It is also notable as one of the few autobiographical books by a male. Quite simply put, Stephen's forthrightness is wonderfully disarming. And his very unique ability (especially for someone actually on The Spectrum) to relate not only how the world appears to him but also how that reality fits into the one we nuero-typicals live in, shows an oversight I don't encounter in most typical adults. His positive example is nothing short of a godsend. Beyond giving us hope for our sons, daughters and loved ones who reside with Stephen in this very fascinating place, Stephen's book helps to unravel the mysteries we strive to understand every day. And that Stephen has achieved what he has thus far and has dedicated his life to furthering knowledge about and advocating for the individual on The Spectrum is testimony to this wonderful mans character (and to the loving devotion of his mother, his wife and his mentors!). I only hope my son strives to be half the man Stephen Shore has shown himself to be by this book. If you've just had The "Autism Bomb" fall on you - that is to say, just gotten the diagnosis, you owe it to yourself (and your loved one) to pick up this great book and start thinking positively now at the beginning of your journey, about your gifted child.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Insider's Look At Living With Aspergers, June 18, 2001

By 

Liane Gentry Skye, (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome (Paperback)

Stephen Shore has written an unusual and worthy addition to the world of literature regarding Asperger's Syndrome.

Shore's work explores aspergers from three different viewpoints: as that of a clinician working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders, as an adult who himself has aspergers, and as an adult remembering the challenges aspergers has presented him with over the course of his lifetime.

As the parent of two boys with Autism Spectrum Disorders, I was delighted with Shore's explanations of why my children feel the need to do some of the things they do, and what purpose those behaviors serve in their lives.

In this reader's opinion, Beyond the Wall is an invaluable guide to anyone who knows someone with aspergers and autism. Shore's writing is right up there with Temple Grandin's, and should be included as a valuable reference book in anyone's collection of books about autism/aspergers.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stephen: THANKS FOR GIVING US A VIEW OF AUTISM!! A+!, April 3, 2003

By 

Lisa Ackerman (Newport Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome (Paperback)

All I can write is "WOW"! The author Stephen Shore takes you through an amazing journey - his life. I have over 85 books on autism and this is definately my favorite for providing some possible insight on what my autistic son Jeff may be feeling. Not only is the insight amazing and explainations easy to understand - but he gives so much hope. There are few books I have read where I truly laughed, cried, and celebrated his ups and downs (corny but absolutely true.)
The authors words have helped me better understand and communicate to my son and for that I am grateful.
Stephen has an amazing ability to communicate and provide humor at the scariest thing I have ever seen - autism - is truly a gift to all parents and friends of autistic. Please do your self a favor and read this book. It is a must for everyone's collection.