In this cross
between Chicken Soup for the Soul and the best of Erma Bombeck,
the author, the mother of a young boy with Asperger Syndrome, gives
us a rare glimpse of the ups and downs of family life with an individual
who has autism spectrum disorder. From swim meets to Chinese restaurants,
from school to church, to birthday parties, and everything in between,
the reader is let into the everyday lives of the Elliott family. At
once tender and hilarious, the episodes in the book all illustrate
the basic tenet of this charming book -- while living with a child
with autism spectrum disorder often leads to embarrassing moments,
nobody ever needs be ashamed.
Unable to issue
a prescription for magical pills of understanding to be given out
to the public as needed or a magical pill to make life easier for
individuals with autism spectrum disorder, Lisa Elliott enlightens,
encourages...and makes her readers laugh. The brief chapters, categorized
under the autism spectrum characteristic they best portray, make great
reading for waiting rooms, bus commutes, lunch breaks and other moments
when we can leave the world around us for a few moments to refresh
ourselves only to return with a more informed, positive attitude.
This book is a
must read for parents, family members, educators and others who live
and work with individuals who have autism spectrum disorders.