Customer Reviews

Finding Our Way: Practical Solutions for Creating a Supportive Home and Community for the Asperger Syndrome Family

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This is a must read for anyone who loves or cares for a child with asperger syndrome, be they parent, teacher, paraprofessional, babysitter, grandparent, Sunday School teacher or doctor. Written by one who has been down in the trenches and knows, this book is packed full of logical, doable and compassionate systems which parents can easily master in order to facilitate a more enjoyable existence for the whole family. You will feel like you have a found a new friend as you laugh at her poignant insights and find comfort in the shared experiences of aspergers. Evaluators and doctors would do well to hand this one out to parents of newly diagnosed children to serve as a soft cushion to ease the fall from what can be a devastating diagnosis. Ms. Sakai is a true friend who will help light a path to a way through what can be a dark time and find solace on the other side. Bravo!

What a wonderful and insightful book. Kristi Sakai brings the reader into the world of the family with Asperger Syndrome. She makes you laugh and cry as she shares her experiences and ideas in the home. This is a must have for families so they can see that they are not alone and teachers need to read this so they can better understand what they family is going through and how they can support each other.

This is an excellent teaching tool for families with children who have Asperger's Syndrome. Kristi Sakai, the mother of three children with Asperger's provides excellent tips; explanations and vivid vignettes describing spectrum behavior. The book also includes funny little drawings that are clear and direct and people on the spectrum should have no difficulty decoding their expressions. I love this book!

Kristi Sakai was blessed with the gift of humor. Humor is one impetus that keeps this book rolling. I love her quick quips for judgmental comments people endure when their child is suffering during a meltdown or having trouble navigating on social territory. This book really is a Godsend!

One part that made me laugh was when Sakai wrote about a boy who disliked baths because of sensory issues and provided very real, very legitimate reasons for why he resisted enduring them. I also like the way she provided an alternative approach to ensure his cooperation during an unpleasant activity. The part that had me laughing was when she said her daughter Kaede, upon being needled about not liking to have her hair washed, said she didn't have to suffer that unpleasant activity - she poured the shampoo down the sink! (Sounds like the kind of thing I would have done - only I poured shampoo in the toilet at that age or in the tub and said it was bubble bath). In all honesty, hair washing is about the least favorite activity of many, myself included.

Regardless of where on the spectrum you are, on or off or someone directly involved with people who do have Asperger's, you will get a lot of mileage out of this book and will often turn to it. It is one of the best teaching guides I have ever come across.

Quit reading these reviews and get this book! Every parent or professional who advocates for individuals on the autism spectrum needs to read, underline, and share this book with someone else. Parents will realize they are not alone in their feelings and experiences and professionals will gain much needed insight into the lives of the families who sit with them in IEP meetings and parent-teacher conferences.
I can't say enough good things about the practical advice in Ms. Sakai's book. For example, her chapter on tools for building a relationship with the school is priceless.
"Finding Our Way" is a unique resource that earns a spot on the "must have" list of books about Asperger Syndrome.

It takes a wise person to see the good news in the great struggles of living and Kristi Sakai has done it. Without offering any pat answers or any new "isms" she is able to show families with children with Asperger Syndrome what it means to not only survive but thrive. There is nothing in this book but good news and authentic observations. Obviously adept in the clinical and psychological issues affecting persons with AS, Mrs. Sakai takes you into her home and her heart and wants you to know that there is genuine hope and real help for you. Get it while you can. It's going fast, folks!

As a parent of 2 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and a Councilor/Commissioner for several organizations I found this to be the most helpful and pleasant book I have read. The practical ideas for daily living are very doable. This book offers hope and humor for parents, professionals and those who care about people with ASD's and their families. Even my husband, who has an Asperger's DX says that he has learned something about himself by reading this book. And I learned that my husband can actually read a book cover to cover when he really wants too. I already own two copies of this book and both are already loaned out to others. I recommend this book as a staple to every Autism/Asperger library.

At times this book filled my eyes with tears. I felt like "this is a person that really understands what parents go through." Most books for parents are intervention centered. Although this book has many useful interventions for the home, it really lifts your soul at the same time. Parents really need encouragement from other parents from time to time. This book is also funny. The author included many stories that will make you laugh. I will pass along this book title to all parents I meet dealing with Asperger syndrome in their family!! I promise that you will not want to put it down!

Wonderful book stuffed full of easy and practical advice. I couldn't put it down. It's fun writing style makes turning each page a treat in itself. It's obvious why this book won the 06 ASA Literary Work of the Year. It's a gem! ENJOY!! Joanna Keating-Velasco, Author, A Is for Autism, F Is for Friend.

I have a child who is 8 and has Asperger's. I laughed and cried during the reading of this book, which I did in one sitting. I usually get half way through a book and get so depressed- I can't go on. If you have a child recently diagnosed or even later who has Aspergers - you have to have this book. It gives you real life solutions written by a mother - not an educator who goes home at 4:00 pm. My favorite part was about the socks! I had just finished ordering socks from 3 different places on the internet - hoping to find some she'll wear. There is comfort knowing that however unusual your child is about things - it's normal for her.