Customer Reviews

Embarrassed Often, Ashamed Never

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a must read for any parent, educational professional, or grandparent. It is a collection of stories that offers a view into one family's life as they reflect on their autistic/Asperger's child. For some, this book will provide comfort while others will hopefully gain understanding and enlightenment. The author graciously invites you into her world with all its' challenges and rewards. It reminds us all that each child is unique; someone to be treasured, cultivated, and loved. She reminds all parents that we are part of a community where we need to judge less and support more. Many stories I could relate to directly while others I gained inspiration from this family's courage, patience, perseverance, and love. I had a hard time putting the book down.

This is absolutely one of the best books I have read on Asperger Syndrome! When our son was diagnosed two years ago, I read and read and read as many books as I could on AS. Many were way over my head as they were so technical, some were hard to follow, several seemed to focus mainly on the negatives . . . EMBARRASSED OFTEN, ASHAMED NEVER IS THE PERFECT READ FOR A PARENT WITH A NEWLY DIAGNOSED CHILD OR FOR AN EDUCATOR.

When our son was first diagnosed, we weren't sure about the diagnosis as we had never heard of Aspergers. We researched on the internet and thought, "okay, this is familiar, maybe so." We read this book and thought, "WOW, THIS IS OUR SON!"

The title and the theme of the book fit our life . . . we are often embarrassed but we are never, ever ashamed. Be sure to buy this one, you won't regret it!

Embarrassed Often Ashamed Never is an easy to read book. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down until I was finished. I found this book full of "human real life" stories that touched my heart. As I was reading I could picture in my mind just what was actually happening in the story she was telling. I appreciate the openess that Lisa and her family shared with us in the book. One of my friends that works with children in the school that have Asperger Syndrome recommend that I read the book so as a parent working in the school it would give me a better understanding of some of our special children. Now I try to look at situations through their eyes when I'm helping out at school. Everyone should read this book.

As a professional I feel this easy-to-read book provides insights into the everyday experiences of a family living with a child with autism spectrum disorder. Lisa invites the reader to take a glimpse into her family life by sharing poignant and humorous stories of their experiences. Through the experiences of her son, Clark, Lisa reminds is that although living with a child with autism spectrum disorder often leads to embarrassing moments, nobody ever needs to be ashamed. This enlightening book is a must read for parents, family members and professionals who live and work with individuals who have autism spectrum disorders

Lisa graciously invites us into her unique family life.
We learn about autism/asperger's through poignant and humorous short stories of their experiences.
This book amazingly manages to be light-hearted and indepth at the same time.
After reading this book I was better educated about autism spectrum disorders but NOT through doctors and text books but through the insights and strengths of one family dealing with Autism.
I highly recommend this uplifting book to everyone.

This book presents a parents view of an exceptional child. Brillient on one hand and socially dificult on the other hand. It is an image of some of the brightest adults I've been exposed to. These people have the abality to singularly focus on a given subject and be absorbed by it. The trick is to guide them. Thus the exceptional parent. In the past we called these people eccentric. Perhaps now we will understand more about the likes of Einstein and Mozart.

Elliot's story may be most helpful to the parent or other family member of an autistic child. I can only guess at the frustrations, impatience and anger one must feel when a child, brother or nephew is autistic. Maybe this book will help such folks figure out what they are dealing with. The bittersweet part is that it never gets any better. You might as well get used to it.

As a clinical psychologist who sees lots of special needs children and their parents, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It is the first resource I reach for with a family confronting Asperger's Disorder. So many parents have raved about this book not only as a humanizing account of realistic day to day struggles but also as an accessible and easy to follow overview of the condition. I own several copies and loan them out all the time.

Lisa Elliott shares short scenarios of the life of her son who is diagnosed with Aspergers/autism. The book covers many of the typical characteristics of individuals with ASD. There is laughter, and sadness, shared in her stories. A good book for all who work with, and love, individuals on the autism spectrum.

This book is a Godsend. It makes me think of the Stone Poneys' 1968 hit, "Beat of a Different Drum" and Herman Kelly & Life's "Let's Dance to the Drummer's Beat." You are treated to a drum medley of delightful anecdotes about life with Asperger's Syndrome (AS). Readers are treated to some genuinely funny stories about the Elliot children. Humor underscores this entire book; it is written in a smart, upbeat tone and readers will have plenty of giggles over some of the observations the Elliot children made.

AS is the spectrum partner to autism and is a sensory, neurobiological condition that affects sensory integration, processing and communication to varying degrees. One of the many good things about having AS is that people with it make things more interesting and present logic from different, but equally valid perspectives. That's what's so wonderful about this book -- it does an excellent job of underscoring that point. Best of all, it instills pride among the autism/Asperger's (a/A) community.

This delightful book about Clark, the boy born in 1997 is a series of snapshots of life with Charlie, Clark and their sister, Elizabeth. Readers are also shown the politics of Queen Bee Mom cliques (this is an issue that is also well addressed in Queen Bee Moms & Kingpin Dads: Dealing with the Parents, Teachers, Coaches, and Counselors Who Can Make--or Break--Your Child's Future ) and how Clark learns to navigate social terrain. His school successes will make you want to cheer.

I like the way Elliott shares her fantasy of the Welcome Wagon Supplies for parents of children with autism.

1. Willbarger brush
2. A Book with a Glossary of Terms & Acronyms, e.g. ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
3. Visual Cue Cards
5. Gluten Free Treats for the New Family
6. GFCF (Gluten-Casein Free) Cookbooks (you can buy them for very little online)
7. Coupons for soy dairy products
8. Contact List with Phone Numbers of Other Parents of Children With ASD

Elliott was kind enough to share her dream checklist. If more people know about it, more people can pass it along.

Celebrate being on the a/A spectrum; enjoy some wonderful drumming and march to your own different drummer while you dance to the beat of a different drum done by the drummer's beat. I love this kind of book!