Dear Charlie - A Grandfather's Love Letter to his Grandson with Autism [Paperback]

Earle P Martin Jr (Author), Gary B Mesibov PH.D. (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000

In this heartwarming book, a grandfather offers loving advice in a series of letters to his grandson Charlie, who has autism. His letters educate and inspire, while painting a beautiful, positive portrait of children with autism. He explains what autism is and what it is not, offers social dos and don'ts, and encourages Charlie to be who he is and follow his dreams. Makes a great gift for young adults on the spectrum!

Helpful chapters include:

• What Does It Mean for You to Be Autistic?
• Our Brains
• Accepting Your Autism
• Being Different
• Time Alone and Time with Others
• Mistakes
•  Friends
• God in Your Life
• Seeing Autism as a Challenge

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Earle’s understanding of, and respect for, his grandson is evident throughout this book, and that is what makes it so special. The book started as a personal message for Charlie, answering all the questions his grandfather thought his grandson might ask, just in case Earle would not be around when all of these questions arose. Earle’s sensitivity, humanity, and insight are evident in his choice of topics to discuss and the wonderfully concrete, yet comprehensive, answers he offers for some very complex questions. . . . I am delighted that Earle has agreed to share his wisdom and understanding so generously so that others might benefit from his very important messages. . . . This contribution will help the people with autism, the target audience. Parents, family members, and other individuals will also find these humane insights to be poignant, thought-provoking, and inspiring.”
From the foreword by Gary Mesibov, PhD, Professor and Director of TEACCH, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
 

About the Author

Earle P. Martin, Jr. is grandfather to Charlie, a young man with autism. Charlie’s diagnosis inspired Earle to become active in the autism community, and he remains active today. He believes in taking a positive, proactive approach to autism and hopes to help his grandson and others on the autism spectrum live full and rich lives, while still embracing the uniqueness that makes them who they are.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Future Horizons (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885477619
• ISBN-13: 978-1885477613
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,518,166 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Touching, Insightful Look at What it Means to Be Autistic, November 2, 2000

By 

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

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dear Charlie - A Grandfather's Love Letter to his Grandson with Autism (Paperback)

If I knew where Earl P. Martin lived, I would drive to his home and give him a fierce bear hug.

"Dear Charlie" is based on letters from a grandfather to his Autistic grandson, Charlie. As Mr. Martin shares in his letters his thoughts on what it will mean to Charlie to grow up Autistic, he paints a loving, well thought out sourcebook to accompany his grandson through life as a grandfather realizes that Autism has not made Charlie disabled, it has simply made him differently abled.

I am delighted that the publisher had the good sense to publish a book that goes beyond the one in a million miracle cures that so often form the bulk of the better selling books on Autism.

Mr. Martin's letters to Charlie provide parents a valuable resource to open a dialogue with the higher functioning autistic child which reassures him that it is ok to have Autism. For the older Autistic child who can read, I can't imagine a better tool for boosting self esteem than urging him to read this book.

This is one Autism source book I know I'll reach for again and again as I lead my two Autistic sons towards puberty and adulthood.

Thank you Mr. Martin for showing our children that they can live well with Autism. Bravo!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful book, October 31, 2008

By 

Animal Lover (minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dear Charlie - A Grandfather's Love Letter to his Grandson with Autism (Paperback)

I am very excited about this book. It addresses areas that I need to talk to my students about: making mistakes, friendships, time alone vs time with others, living with Autism just to name a few. The chapters are short and to the point. I can see using this with my High School students. Now if I could just find the time to review it and incorporate it into my lessons!