The author explains the complexity, heartbreak, and drama of raising and attempting to understand a developmentally disabled child, while her son, a high-functioning autistic, provides a look into his own troubled world. 12,500 first printing.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
This candid, often emotional account of her son's disability by McDonnell, the former director of women's studies at Carleton College in Minnesota, points out the often exasperating effects of autistic behavior on parents. A whiz at age five with a calculator, in geography and reading, but lacking other basic skills, confused, lonely Paul "battered at the world." McDonnell defines his autism as "a disturbance in the reception, integration and interpretation of sense impressions." In her son's case, it was misdiagnosed for 15 years as retardation, deafness and psychosis. Finally, proper medication and a discerning therapist enabled Paul to start to understand and control his disability and depression. He now travels abroad on his own and is studying meteorology at a community college in Minnesota. In a moving afterword, Paul tells his side of the story. Illustrations not seen by PW. Author tour.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
Another heart-rending entry in the recent rush of memoirs from autistics and/or their mothers (Catherine Maurice's Let Me Hear Your Voice, p. 576, etc.). Much progress has been made recently in diagnosing and treating autism, but not nearly enough to ease the suffering of the children and family vividly described here. McDonnell's son, Paul, is a high-functioning autistic, more socially capable, less prone to rages, with some emotional responsiveness--which, in some ways, may have made his condition even more difficult for his family. Doctors and other specialists, misled by Paul's responsiveness, missed the diagnosis; most favored in Paul's early years was the catchall label of ``learning disabled.'' But McDonnell (Women's Studies/Carleton College) wasn't satisfied when she discovered that Paul's repetitive behaviors--including fascination with light- switches and numbers, as well as resistance to language--were characteristic of autism. The author writes of her side of the story with brutal honesty and some insight. Frustrated, frightened, and stressed even further by the arrival of a baby daughter with (mild) cerebral palsy, the household seemed dominated by anger: Shouting matches at the dinner table were frequent. But whether living in England, Ireland, or Minnesota, the McDonnells never stopped trying to find help for Paul--and Paul never stopped trying to fit himself into the ``normal'' world. Autism is a familiar syndrome, thanks to the movie The Rain Man (which helped Paul accept that he wasn't ``normal''); moreover, nationwide efforts have been made to educate adults and children about people with this handicap. Still, the amount of cruelty--both intentional and accidental--inflicted on Paul by peers, teachers, and even therapists is striking. In an afterword, Paul, now a college student aiming for a career in meteorology, describes some of that heartbreak. A paean to perseverance that's rich in personal detail but short on new information or helpful strategies. (Eight pages of b&w photographs--not seen) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best book on Autism I've read.,
By A Customer
This review is from: NEWS FROM THE BORDER CL (Hardcover)
I was loaned a copy of this book along with dozens of other books once my son was diagnosed. I put this book at the bottom of the heap because I was sure I would "cure" him with dietary interventions etc. I was sure I didn't want to be depressed by what I was sure would be a sorrowful experience.After a few months I was going through my desk and saw the book, felt ready to read it - McDonnell's book has eased my fears. My experiences with my son mirror some of hers - but mostly she gave me a human view or perhaps a humane view of autism. I feel that after reading her book and Paul's afterword that I am more patient and can understand more of what it is like to be in my son's mind. I hope Paul continues to do well in life - I enjoyed being able to have a glimpse into his life. The writing itself is wonderful prose - to be expected from an English professor I suppose - describes a real life situation without promising a cure. As a parent of a "High functioning" son, I found it to be a terrific escape from all the promises, and pressure in most books out there.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deeply intelligent and sensitive,
By A Customer
This review is from: NEWS FROM THE BORDER CL (Hardcover)
A sensitive and beautifully-written account of bringing up a child with high-functioning autism/Asperger's syndrome (who, now a young adult, adds a lengthy and moving account of his own), and of the agonizing problems caused by the lack of a diagnosis, and by bullying and social stigma. It raises the vital question of how you go about helping a child overcome their differences without making them feel that there is something wrong about being different. I have Asperger's syndrome myself, and also went undiagnosed as a child, and this book moved me (and my mother, when I lent it to her) a great deal.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing,
By Kristina (Northfield, MN USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: NEWS FROM THE BORDER CL (Hardcover)
I read this book for the first time in a psychology class I was taking. When my teacher first handed me the book, I looked at it a few times before realizing this was written by one of my childhood friends mom's. At the time, I was very unaware of the situation with Paul. I was in awe of Jane and her ability to write this book. This had to have been a very hard thing for her to do.After reading this book, I had a better understanding of Paul, as well as a much better understanding of autism.
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