Customer Reviews

NEWS FROM THE BORDER CL

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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.

Heart warming, sensitive and honest. Get a hold of a copy! You will not regret it.

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.

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.

THIS BOOK WAS GREAT. IT IS TOO BAD IT IS OUT OF PRINT. ANYONE INTRESTED IN AUTIUM OR ASPERGERS SYNDROME SHOULD TRY AND GET A HOLD OF THIS. YOU REALLY FEEL FOR THE MOM IN THE BOOK.

Jim McDonnell was actually one of my mother's favorite professors at Carleton, when she attended in the early 70s. This connection is probably why my family owns a copy of News from the Border. Now I am glad that I found this book and had the opportunity to read it.

Coincidentally, I too was diagnosed with high-functioning autism. After reading Jane McDonnell's memoir, I was reminded of many of my own childhood experiences and struggles. From speech difficulties to obsessive-compulsiveness, there are certainly some similarities between Paul and I. Also, I really related to Paul's Afterward, particularly some of his worries about the external world and the future.

Perhaps more interestingly, Jane described some very stark differences between Paul's childhood and mine. To begin with, Paul was trapped in a "borderland," because both psychology and pedagogy failed to appropriately define autism. I was given very aggressive (and effective) treatment for Autism at an early age. Although Paul is extremely bright and probably born with a less severe form of autism than myself, the lack of early developmental intervention caused him to struggle much more during adolescence. In fact, I am currently attending Carleton College, while Paul had substantial difficulties with work even in high school. Furthermore, Paul's family was dysfunctional and was a significant source of distress for Paul. If I had been in the same situation as Paul, I probably would not have been able to cope with the complex social interactions (issues) of the family.

Overall, News from the Border is a vivid and authentic account of a mother's relationship with her autistic son. I think that Jane not only used excellent prose, but wrote a narrative that is honest and sufficiently self-critical (she DOES mention that alcoholism and drug use may have contributed to Paul and Kate's disabilities). In my opinion, the book is a bit better at documenting the dynamics of a (dysfunctional) family that includes an autistic child, rather than the effects of autism itself. For a book that is simply about autism, I would recommend Thinking in Pictures or Send in the Idiots, which are both written by actual autistics. I would also caution people to remember that much has changed in the psychiatric community since the publishing of this book. Still, I strongly recommend News from the Border and dearly wish that it was put back into print.

When Paul McDonnell was born in 1972, the world was still in the throes of misperceptions about autism. Paul, a bright child fell through the cracks. He displayed some mildly autistic behaviors, such as lining things and insisting on routine. He was also delayed in language and received intensive help in this area when he was enrolled in a language program in England at age 3.

A bright, curious child, Paul learned how to work a screwdriver by the time he was 3. He delighted in taking screws out of things within his reach. He also became an avid connoiseur of light bulbs. By the time he was 7, he would have 372 light bulbs.

Paul's sister Kate was born when he was 4. She had some minor motor issues which were fortunately corrected with intensive physical exercises. Bright and verbal, Kate would remain Paul's loyal protector. I like the way Kate expressed herself about the family therapy sessions when Paul was in his teens. I felt she made a valid case for herself and that her points were on target and well taken.

*Note: This author uses the American term "stroller" when talking of her toddlers' use of one in America. During their sojourns abroad in the British Isles, she uses the Britishism "pushchair," but reverts to stroller once back in America.

Paul struggled socially and sadly, one mother refused to let her son play with Paul after the boys, then 5 had a playdate. You just wanted to kick the other child's mother in the shins for her blatant rejection of Paul as a playmate for her son. Paul clearly enjoyed the interaction and found it beneficial. While he sadly lost this one contact through no fault of his own, he fortunately made lifelong friends with a boy named Allen who lived in his neighborhood. The two were good influences on each other and would remain friends for life.

Like many people with autism, Paul had special interests. He also has a phenomenal memory for dates, events and facts, which is a real gift. By the time his language became well developed, he demonstrated a superior aptitude for math. At 5, he was avidly interested in maps, which is not uncommon among many people with high functioning autism/Asperger's. He loved to measure and weigh things and having a firm fix on where he was spatially appeared to be a trenchant issue for him. I like the way the McDonnells traveled along with Paul's interests and helped him devleop them.

School remained a challenge for Paul. He had been to the British Isles several times because Jim McDonnell was on sabbaticals there. After what sounded like a traumatic four months in Ireland when Paul was in high school, one could not help but cheer his return to Minnesota. Kate, gifted in language and arts thrived in a well matched school in Ireland whereas Paul struggled socially. He also had to keep up with the Irish curriculum which was some 2 years ahead of what he knew in the U.S.

Once home, Paul contended with a challenging summer in a boarding camp. Having survived that with flying colors, he was enrolled against his will in a day treatment program in a hospital. I didn't like the way staff misread him and jumped to conclusions about his behavior and motives. It turned my stomach when one staff member said their objective was to goad Paul so he'd come out fighting. I am sad to say that is not an uncommon approach many misguided people use on kids with autism. Many kids on the spectrum hate conflict and go into flight/retreat mode. This method is destined to crash and burn.

I liked the Beatle connections in this book, such as hearing the song "Strawberry Fields" while driving past a field of strawberries en route to Paul's day treatment program. Paul had a watch that played "Hey, Jude" and "Yesterday." The Beatle song that describes this book so well is Paul McCartney's "Long & Winding Road" because Paul did indeed travel down a very long and winding road to a happier life.

As a bonus treat, he tells his own story at the very end of the book. He gives good insights into coping with autism and how it has impacted his life.

Paul's story is very uplifting. I like the way he and Kate interacted with each other; I like the way Allen and some other young men went to bat for Paul. Paul in turn would defend a young woman who had been sexually abused; he displayed a high level of caring for others. Paul and countless others are the living refutations of the misperceptions about autism. I am tired of people saying that people with autism lack empathy and can't act. Neither are true. In fact, people with autism act just to navigate in a world slanted in favor of a neurotypical population. I've heard many people with autism say they have to "act" in order to "pass for neurotypical." In reading this book, you will be glad you traveled down the long and winding road with the McDonnells to see Paul settled into adulthood. At last count, Paul is married and blessed with a child who does not appear to be on the spectrum.

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 the cover a few times before realizing that this book was written by one of my childhood friends moms. I grew up around this family and at the time I was very unaware of what the situation was with Paul. I was incredibly impressed with Jane's ability to write this book. I know this had to be a very hard thing for her to start.

After reading this book, not only did I understand Paul's situation, but I had a great understanding of autism.