1 out of 5 star – Did not finish.
I would like to thank CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform for allowing me to read an ARC of this book for an open and honest review.
Unfortunately I did not like this book at all. In fact I didn’t make it through the first chapter as it annoyed me so much.
My son was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder late last year, aged 5 and a half. I’ve basically given up my career to be his carer and get him ready for full time school. And this book was just insulting.
NEVER have I thought of my son’s diagnosis as a burden a fatal blow to my life or any of the other descriptions used when telling me I am now grieving and need to go through all the stages of grief. In fact, we were RELIEVED to have this diagnosis confirmed as it gave us something to focus on and work with.
I found the whole feel of this book a negative look at autism. Like saying you’ve been cursed, but let’s now help you live with that curse. Autism isn’t like that and it’s attitudes like this that prevent us from using the term Autism around my son as we don’t want him to be labelled as there are still such negative and narrow minded views out there.
Would I recommend this book – No. Unless you’re also of the misguided belief that autism is as good as a death sentence, like this book.
Would I buy this book myself – No. I had been warned by adult friends with autism to avoid reading such “self-help” books and I feel they were right.
Not a book for me. We embrace life, differences and the varied journeys we all tread. We don’t take on negative labels and then justify how perfect we are at handling them like this book seems to suggest.
Until next time,
Janis. XXOO
Janis's Journal 