Customer Reviews

Nathan's Journey

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Nathan's Journey is a wonderful book describing the life and routines of a young autistic boy growing up in Massachusetts. It shows young Nathan as he interacts with family and friends, goes to school, participates in general after school programs, and takes the special treatment and training needed to help him develop. Many non-fiction books have been written over the years about handicapped children, but few of these books have been on children of color. In addition, this story also includes Nathan's experiences as he visits his grand parents in Jamaica. The writing is good and the photographs are especially noteworthy. This is an excellent story and resource for children of all ages, their families, and their teachers.

This sterling work chronicles the progress of Nathan, a young boy diagnosed with autism. Red flags are first noticed at his third birthday party. Other behaviors indicative of autism become more glaringly apparent as well. Nathan makes his round of the specialists and special education programs. He makes spectacular progress and later becomes a vital member of a basketball team. He is also elected class president.

This book is beautifully accompanied with photographs of Nathan; his family; people he works with such as teachers and therapists as well as his many peers. Readers are treated to Nathan's trip to Jamaica to visit other family members. Nathan's joy in his family and his pleasure in the trip will undoubtedly warm the hearts of all who read his story.

I just love this book. I also like the way things that are part of Nathan's life are photographed and identified such as the white Honda Accord. Nathan's story is presented in a gentle and accepting way; in fact acceptance is underscored throughout this book. Not only is the need for accessibility for Nathan described, but its inverse, accessibility to the neurotypical world is also provided.

You will root for Nathan the whole way through and be so delighted to be part of his team. Way to go, Team Nathan!

This is a terrific book! I found Nathan's Journey to be inspiring and informative and recommend it wholeheartedly. It is a heartwarming and uplifting story that gives hope to parents who might be discouraged and disheartened by a diagnosis of autism.

It is a mother's story of how one family emerged victorious over autism. The book starts with Nathan's third birthday party when his parents were very concerned that something was wrong. After tests and visits to specialists, Nathan was diagnosed with autism. The book describes the training and support Nathan received from his family, special needs teachers, and in a special school for autistic children. As Nathan progressed and entered an inclusion program in a regular school, he struggled to be accepted by his classmates. The book has a great ending!

Written in a way that a child could understand, this is an excellent book for adults as well as children. It has something for educators, parents and other interested parties to use and learn from. Families with an autistic child will relate to the book in the despair the diagnosis can bring and the joy of each success. I would love to give a copy to every family with a young child just receiving a diagnosis.