Book Review: Parenting (2)

AUTISM: UNDERSTANDING THE PUZZLE

By: Sharla R. Jordan

Illustrations: Amy L. Seiter

Recommend or not, to whom, for what reason:

Yes. I recommend it to anyone who doesn't know much about autism, and wish to understand better. I also recommend this book for the exact intent it was written. That intent is to help those who need a place to begin on their autism journey but are completely overwhelmed by where to begin. That is why I picked up this book, after putting it off for 3 years. I now feel more confident and hopeful that I did before, and deeply grateful for this resource.

3 Things of Interest:

1.    I appreciated this book explaining some of the various difficulties accompanying autism, and it's challenges. Some I knew, and others were new to me.

2.    Appreciated the parenting view and responsibility modeled in this book. It seems autism invites a greater degree of righteous parenting based in love and respect, rather than a broken one based in power struggle and fear. Autism means some things are more challenging, sometimes impossible. It is not an excuse for inappropriate or harmful behavior, but means there is likely much more child training needed.

3.    There were many personal experiences, stories and quotes from family, friends, and professionals on the subject on autism. These illustrations helped me see how these circumstances effect every day life and learning, and provided better opportunity for understanding.

3 points of disagreement:

1.    None.

     This was a beautifully personal compilation, brought about by a desire to help others understand those who experience autism. There were a few typos and grammatical errors (much like every single blog post I ever write), but nothing which drastically affected the readability or content of the book.

1 Take-away or application:

I have a close personal relative who may be on the spectrum, and will now begin watching the films recommended in the book for even greater understanding. Likely followed by studying the reading materials recommended as well.

Is this a classic for the personal library?

          Yes. I think this human experience is now know and experienced, and touches the                  lives of everyone, whether through a family member or a neighbor. Understanding              provides better opportunities to love and serve.

Unfiltered notes:

Most of my notes were about people I love who have this experience in their daily lives, better ways to understand and help them specifically. I'm not sharing them.