Book #1 - There's a Boy In Here

This book was given to me by Johnathan's teacher to read. Since I have been reading a few books about Autism lately I was looking forward to this one.

There's A Boy In Here by Judy Barron & Sean Barron
This book is certainly not like the other autism books I have read. Judy Barron is Sean's mother. In this book she shares her story of becoming a mother for the first time and having her world turned completely upside down. Even as a toddler the signs were already beginning in Sean that had her concerned. In an age when mother's were expected to stay at home she quickly fell into a world of sadness and isolation. She believed her child hated her and his erratic behaviors left her feeling angry and drained quite often. When their second child was born they really began to see all the unusual behaviors Sean really had. Judy tried to control Sean's unusual behaviors and when it didn't work she often found herself getting angry and even physical in an attempt to stop them. Throughout the book she talks about most of her interactions with him as a child involved her yelling at him. What makes this book so interesting is that many times Judy will tell you of incidents that happened and her perspective. Then Sean will write his perspective about the same incidents. It is really interesting to get the perspective of a person with autism - to read the thought processes that they go through and the true 'logic' behind their actions is so interesting. Seeing the way Judy's and Sean's relationship develops and grows through this book I think was the most interesting. I think so many parents of children with autism travel similar journeys because there is still so little known about this disease. Reading the stories of the many doctors they saw and the steps they took to try to 'cure' Sean make me cringe. Especially in a time were no one really knew what Autism was I think this book really spreads a great message. The fact that this family faced a lot of adversity and never instiutionailized him is amazing (though I think Beechbrook may qualify as an instituion) Reading about the moment of realization for Sean was very uplifting and gives a lot of encouragement to parents that may worry about their child never being able to function in the real world.

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5

If you know someone that has autism I truly recommend reading this book. In a disease that so few people still know about and understand I think this book does a great job helping people see the line between having autism and not having autism.