I finally read book "Curious Incident"
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| Tue, 07-11-2006 - 10:39pm |
Some time back there was a posting about books, and "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" was mentioned. I finally got the book from the library and read it. It took me awhile to get into it but I ended up enjoying it more than I expected, less because of the book itself and more because of the description of the Asperger's child. I kept thinking "I've got to get friends/family to read this, so they can understand the workings/non-workings of my kids' minds." Then I realized that while it WOULD be beneficial to them, I probably got more out of the book than they would because I've LIVED these kinds of experiences with my child. I also found myself totally sympathetic to the Asperger's character and the encounters the poor guy had with his parents until I realized *I* am that impatient parent! *I* am the one yelling and frustrated and making my kids' meltdowns worse. At least for the here and now, it's got me committing to trying to see things from my kids' point of view more frequently and trying not to get so frustrated that I make situations worse than they have to be. Of course the world can't always revolve around their quirks, but I can try to make allowances where possible to ease some of their stress. Anyway, thanks to whomever made the book recommendation!

That book is great for family and friends. I like it better than text books because it is just so hard to ask someone to read a text and really understand a child like this if they haven't lived it.
My FIL read it in 2 days. It was the first time they ever understood Mike. I just wish they would read it about once a year or so as a refresher, lol.
Renee
I was given the audio CD, and that is really good. The guy who reads it (I believe it's the author, but I can't remember) does an excellent job.
Soon after that, I was given the book by someone else, but I think I enjoyed the audio version better. Then again, the book has that page of what he sees in the train station when he's all overwhelmed and confused. Remember that page? That was a great visual.
The main character was very different than my David in superficial ways...but the general feeling of the character was so familiar. I'd love to have my in-laws read it, but I suspect they might use it as "proof" that David is not autistic because his autism has a different face.
Evelyn
I thought that was going to be a problem because the character was a math savant. Mike doesn't count cars or determine how his day is going to be based on the color of cars (that I know of, lol). But I think it was more the boys reaction to others, his nievity and how he percieved the world that made the difference.
My MIL and FIL specifically mentioned the train scene as being very insightful because that is so Mike. Also, how that guy got something stuck in his head and just had to follow it through no matter what he dad told him.
Renee
Another book rec for anyone who's interested: "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer. The narrator is nowhere referred to as autistic, but it was quite clear to me that he was intended to have Asperger's.
Has anyone else read it?
Jennifer
That book so rang true with me for so many reasons. It really explains a lot of the thought processes and the logic of an Aspie, as well as a lot of the sensory issues.
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