Author: Bill Davis as told to Wendy Goldband Schunick
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley, 2001
ISBN 1853029793

Reviewed by
Linda Wanfried

At last, a book about autism that isn't so dry and serious. The language is informal, as if you were talking to the author. His book describes the programs and home environment that Bill and Jae created for their son, Chris. The book is full of information which is useful to parents, therapists, teachers and others who work with and care for autistic children.

The book is organized logically. It has a table of contents, which I love. When I'm not doing a review, I rarely have time to read a book start to finish. I like to read the section that pertains to my particular priority at the moment.

I heartily recommend that you buy this book so you can read a paragraph or two when you are exhausted. You may find it inspirational as I did. OK, maybe I won't exactly do all of those things Bill and Jae do for their son, and to promote autism awareness, and to assist other families. Maybe I'll be able to do just a little bit more than I ordinarily manage, or do it in a little bit better way.

Warning: to be fair, after telling you to go buy this book I must mention that some of the earthy language may offend, and some of the opinions as well. I do not agree with everything in this book by a long shot. However, there is so much that is positive and useful in it that I put aside my disagreements and enjoy my favorite parts.

I really like how Bill and his son, Chris, have so much fun together. All kids need to have fun, laugh, giggle and be silly. Maybe we better make sure our kids with autism get extra heaping helpings of that good stuff in case they can't get it/make it for themselves. Teach them how to tease and play and giggle, because they don't do it naturally. Or don't do it just to teach them something like it's another chore or obligation, just do it to let them know they are loved for being who they are.

I was in a classroom where I heard an adult tell a student to do a task to receive a hug. I was so offended by this. Nobody should be made to feel that he or she has to earn affection by accomplishing some task. Sometimes we are a little too serious in our pursuit of anything to help our kids. Lighten up, act goofy, clown around a little once in a while. In telling his family story, Davis gives a lot of information about how to cope with the diagnosis of autism, and how to start the education of the child properly.

My favorite advice was about keeping the engagement happening. Not letting the child sit alone, but being there with him all the time. The subtext of that is that the parent cannot turn the child over to experts and let them carry the responsibility for educating their child. Parents have to be actively teaching, too, especially with kids on the spectrum. I agree wholeheartedly with that message, and I am glad Davis puts it out there.

I rate this book at 4 Hershey's Hugs.

Note: At the time of this writing, May 2001, Bill Davis is the president of the Harrisburg Pennsylvania ASA chapter, of which the reviewer is a member.