Customer Reviews

Eating an Artichoke: A Mother's Perspective on Asperger Syndrome

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I've been waiting for this book for many months and now that I have it, it was worth the wait. This book is one that I can relate to all too well. It is one that I have both laughed and cried over, as it gives many examples of how a child with Asperger's thinks and why he may do what he does. It is also one that reminds me that I am not alone as the mother of a son with Asperger's Syndrome. I will be recommending this book to my son's teachers as a "must read". It will give them a better understanding of my son and of myself. I am very grateful to Echo and Jimmy for having the courage to share their story.

Artichoke is not a technical read, which is what I loved about this book! I have read books written for both parents/educators which are needed to understand and implement techniques that benefit my son. What was missing was the family dynamics, and that my family had gone through some of the same things. My teenage daughter now understands that we are not spoiling her brother because he "wants" to sit in a certain chair, she now understands he "HAS" TO! Additionaly,it helped to understand my Husbands' reluctance to using medication and certain technics for helping our son. When I feel like I am the only one dealing with Aspergers I pick it up and remember that our family is not that different in learning how to deal with a truly unique child!

This is a wonderful book for parents, professionals, relatives, caregivers or anyone who would like a deeper understanding of the trials and tribulations of a child that has Asperger's Syndrome. As I read this story, I couldn't help but feel both heartache and admiration for Jimmy and his family. My husband and I have a 4 year old son with AS, and even though we feel that we know him well, this book has been able to give us further insight into his thoughts and feelings, as well as further insight into parenting struggles and the need for a sense of humor.

I strongly recommend giving this book to relatives that have a difficult time understanding your AS child. It will give them insight into an AS child's life, as well as the parents' lives and family structure. It just might lessen the questions and whispers when you have to leave the party early!!

This is perhaps the best book I have ever read on a parent's experiences with a "less than perfect" child. I cried, laughed, and related to everything Echo wrote about her son. This is an excellent book for the parent who has a child with Asperger's Syndrome or any Autism Specturm disorder. Thank you Echo for giving me strength!

My son has not been diagnosed with AS, but has many Asperger-like features. I found Echo Fling's descriptions of Jimmy and her faith in him literally "echoing" those of my own son. The book is never mawkish nor is it unrealistic. Raising a kid like this is tough but Echo Fling points out the beauty in Jimmy and kids like him and makes a passionate plea for society to recognize the gifts these kids can share. If only books like this had a wider audience and more publishing clout behind them, there might be better interventions and programs available for kids with AS and similar learning issues. Hopefully, that day will come. Books like this will help.

I received the book and couldn't put it down. Like most parents with an AS child, it is so refreshing to talk to other parents who are going through the same thing. It's so helpful to have those experiences in writing to be able to give to relatives and friends so that they can understand what we're going through. Mrs. Fling's experiences are refreshing and ones AS parents can easily relate to. A great book for parents who have just received the Asperger Syndrome diagnosis.

If you are a parent ( or teacher) of a child with Aspergers this is a must read. A well-written book. Echo Fling articulates things that I was never able to verbalize. I have a 6 yr old son who is currently undergoing an extensive evaluation and appears to (be) have Aspergers. I could relate to much of what was written. It is a good basic book to start the process of learning about this develpmental disability.

From my solitude a voice saying "I understand!" This book made me laugh and cry at the same time. We were very fortunate to have our son now 4.5 years diagnosed early and have been using many of the treatments Echo mentions in her book. What was most useful was reading about Jimmy as he gets older and what I have to look forward too. Even though our kids are VERY unique, there is a sameness about them too. Thank you Echo for saying what what we all have been feeling. Now if we could just get insurance companies and other agencies to understand our kids!

My son has Asperger's. This account by Echo Fling of her own Asperger's experience mirrors our families experiences and our home life almost exactly. I fought back tears a number of times while reading this account. To see that someone else has experienced and understands the world our family lives in is compelling and was strikingly emotional to me, because most people just don't understand what it's like and how all consuming living with an Asperger's child is. Her antedotes about her husbands acceptance process mirrors my own, the Asperger's discovery process was exactly like ours, and my son is the same age as hers was when the story ended. What will the next chapter of the story be? It's nice to know that we're not discovering that alone.

Echo Fling has captured the essence of life with a child who has Aspergers. I feel as though we are part of a special group of people who are now able to read her book instead of trying to figure out what AS is without any clues. A very moving, open, valuable book for those who live or work with people who have Aspergers.