Customer Reviews

Wit and Wisdom from the Parents of Special Needs Kids: Mostly True Stories of Life on the Spectrum

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have a story in the book, so I gave it only 4 stars so as not to pad the ratings. I won't do a full review. I just want to say that I just got my copy a few days ago and I'm over half way. The stories are short so you can read them in small moments of time. I have laughed, cried, and nodded my head. Any autism parent that picks up this book will feel like they have instantly made over 40 new friends who "get it", who understand living your life.

These essays helped me gain insight into the world of families living with Autism. Thus far, each story has been authentic, personal and in small enough nuggets that I could digest. I look forward to finishing this one and would recommend it.

This wonderful book is an anthology of essays written by over forty bloggers, myself included. It's a fast-reading, highly enjoyable book, one that fellow parents will be nodding along to and laughing alongside. Most of all, it's a hope-filled trove of inspiring stories and insight from over forty bloggers - all in one place!

P.S. Those of my readers from TeenAutism.com will be pleased to know that my featured essay, "The Little Things," includes a never-before-published Nigelism! Enjoy!

Yes, I have a piece in the book, so some may perceive this as a biased review. However, I say with the truest intentions that this compilation is amazing.

Every story I could relate to as a parent of a child with special needs and that relating piece is so needed for parents like me who can sometimes feel as if they are in isolation the majority of the time. To see that other people "get it" is like a therapy session in itself.

I read the book in two days. It was a great read that I just couldn't put down.

From another perspective I'm an occupational therapy practitioner that works with the pediatric population. My coworkers have been reading the book as well and keep telling me how instrumental it is to understand the parent's P.O.V. when treating a client.

And the parents in our waiting room? They can't get enough of the book...I watch them all pick it up as soon as they get in and thumb to where they left off the last time they had an appointment so they can continue on.

Big kudos to Lynn for getting some of the best writers in the blogosphere all together in one place!

I enjoyed this book from the very first page! Having a special needs child in the family can be somewhat isolating. These stories reflected so much of my reality it felt like the people were family. The stories are funny, moving, sincere,and brutally honest, but did not contain an ounce of self-pity. If you have a special needs child in your family, or if you would like a peek inside the lives of special needs families, buy this book. I am going to pick up a few more and give them as gifts.

I have not finished all of the stories yet but I had to comment on this wonderful book. The stories are touching, brief and well written. Reading it has brought back many memories of the experiences I was fortunate to have in my former profession working with very special children. I formed many strong bonds with the children and their families. This book gives wonderful insight as parents tell their story from many different angles. Thank you for sharing....well done and what a great way to raise awareness for autism, etc.

Wit and Wisdom was an excellent read!

When we first started the diagnosis process, I felt so incredibly alone. I didn't know anyone who had walked this path before me. If I had had this book back then, what a difference it would have made!

Wit and Wisdom is like a support group you can pack in your purse and take with you. I laughed and I cried. I found myself nodding and "mmhmm"ing aloud in public. This is a great book for anyone touched by special needs or anyone else who would like to gain a new perspective.

100% recommended!!

What a great idea for a book, and well done! Editor Lynn Hudoba brought together dozens of bloggers who are parents of kids with autism and turned them loose. Reading Wit and Wisdom was like settling down with a cup of coffee and a roomful of friends. It was also a great introduction to some really great writing. I can tell I'm going to be addicted to some new blogs.

I am a fast reader, and I thought I'd get through it in a night. I was wrong. It took me several days to read because I had to stop and savor so many of the chapters. It would be impossible to pick out a fave, but I'm going to mention some of the ones that really hit me straight in the heart. I'm sure I'll miss mentioning some excellent ones, but here are a few that have stayed with me:

Jenny Herman made me cry with "The Gift."

Ashley Pooser made me cry with "Sleep Tight."

"Stick to the Script" by Amanda Broadfoot and "Blending In" by Karen Asplund Veled made me smile.

I saw my family in "Like Mother, Like Son," by Amanda Griffiths.

In "Familiar" by spectrummymummy, a mom finds one of her own tribe in the park.

I wish I'd read Kathy Kresin's "What, No Instructions?" and "The Third Degree" by Dawn Hentrich five years ago.

And Kara Wilson's "Welcome to Asperger's Island" is something I'll re-read on the days when I need a laugh. So is "My Kid is on the Spectrum, but Your Kid is Just Wierd," by Flannery Sullivan.

My favorite just might be "Mompetition," by Heather St. Clair. You just have to read it.

The essays are bite-sized -- not one of them is over four pages -- and the authors make it look easy to pack so much meaning, warmth, humor, and information into the pages of this book. There wasn't a bad one in the bunch, I tell ya. I could list every single chapter in the book this way, and I probably should, but you get the idea. Now get the book. Yes, stop reading this review and get the book. And a nice, big cup of coffee to go with it.

This book actually gave me helpful input, made me laugh, AND made me feel like I am not alone. It was a great read and I even read some out loud to my hubby because it was so good. It is a MUST for any parent with auti children.

This is a book by parents of ASD children from little tikes to teens. Each story is a couple pages in length. They are like little nibbles of life in the window of a family living with this disability. Autism has no cure and affects 1 in 110 children and 1 in 70 boys. It is a difficult road when the disability is often not understood or labeled "invisible". Even so, all the stories in this book are fun to read and give a warm, insightful, loving and often comical perspective about raising a child or multiple children on the autism spectrum. If you have a child affected by autism, you will find an uplifting resource of immeasurable comfort and support in all the stories told here! And, the best part? Every story will lead you to a blog where you can regularly view many other stories of day to day life in parenting a special needs child. A must read for every parent of a child with autism!