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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THIS BOOK WILL TOUCH YOUR HEART, August 24, 2000
This review is from: Miracle to Believe In (Mass Market Paperback)
The Kauffman family has created the Option Living program which has become well-known since their son Raun's recovery from autism in the late 1970s. Roby Soto, a man living in Mexico learns about the Kauffmans after reading "Son-Rise." His son, Robertito Jr. exhibits much of the same behavior Raun did early in his treatment program. By age 5, Robertito is neither toilet trained nor verbal and his contact is fleeting at best, non-existent at work. Roby, his wife Francisca head north to work with the Kauffmans to restore Robertito. Raun, of course, takes to his new friend immediately. He loves Robertito's round, full cheeks and from the minute they meet, Raun almost never leaves his new friend's side. I really like the way the author calls Robertito and his parents "our new friends." The staff of devoted volunteers work endlessly and tirelessly with Robertito in one-on-one fashion. They do what Raun's parents originally did with Raun -- they join Robertito in whatever self-stimulating activity he is engaged in, talking to him all the time. Robertito makes great leaps and bounds in speech and self care and at the close of the book, a doctor who had treated him earlier marvels at the boy's progress. I love the way the author shows his high degree of empathy for all persons. In one chapter, he describes a concentration-camp like institution for autistic children where the kids are cattle prodded into compliance. One weird task is to get the children to "hug their instructors." Barry throws down the article in disgust, saying that autism is a communciation disorder. Why were the children in this place treated this way and referred to as "it" instead of a boy or a girl? And why would anybody want to hug their instructors if their instructors treated them like Holocaust prisoners. Barry is a very astute, loving, kind, intelligent and humane person. He has my unflagging respect. So does his wife, Sumitra (formerly Suzy) and their three children, Bryn, Thea and Raun. They are truly sterling examples of what love is really all about. God bless the Kauffmans! God bless the Sotos! This book deserved a special place of honor in our hearts and bookshelves.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A powerful continuation of the Son-Rise miracle!, April 16, 1999
This review is from: Miracle to Believe In (Mass Market Paperback)
Oh, the power of love! I did not just read this book, I consumed it. The feelings of the Soto family were mine, as I too struggled to try and understand my autistic son. Since visiting the Option Institute and embracing a Son-Rise program for our son, the changes our family has undergone have been miraculous! The son who would not hug or show affection now wraps his arms around me tight and offers me a kiss. I know this happened because I was able to change my beliefs and truly accept him for who he is. Everything that happened to the Soto's is happening to us as well. I loved reading this book right on the heels of reading "Son-Rise, the Miracle Continues." These books have changed our lives!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
What an Inspiration!, April 11, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Miracle to Believe In (Mass Market Paperback)
I read this book and learned amazing things about myself and ways that I could better communicate with children, especially children with communication difficulties. Barry Kaufman really got me thinking about why relationships that allow you to be the most loving, happy and inspirational person you've ever wanted to be begin with a loving and accepting attitude of the person you want that relationship with. In this book, they work with a young boy totally submerged in his own world, and by loving and appreciating him the way he was, they were able to show him the best they had in themselves, and interest him in joining their world. What's funny is that a few years after reading this book, my beautiful baby boy was diagnosed with autism. This book addresses all the trials and tribulations we've been through: self-doubt, fear, depression, worry, excitement, acceptance and pride. It's when we stopped trying to fix him and just started to love him that he started to join us more and more. His progress is baffling the professionals. The book is a great resource for me, and I highly recommend it to people who aren't afraid of pursuing relationships with people who may not seem interested in that, people who aren't afraid to believe in miracles, people who want to be happy and not view the special children in their lives as a tragedy, people who know that with love all things are possible. This book is pure inspiration!
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