Lauren Brad
3044382
Mike Link
March 20, 2014
A
Rewarding Journey
A
Different Kind of Boy: A Father's Memoir about Raising a Gifted Child with
Autism is an educational, inspiring, and heartwarming
story about a family’s journey together while learning how to raise a child
with autism. Daniel Mont, the father of an autistic boy Alex describes their doubt,
struggles, and strength to accept that their son had a gift different from the
other children. The memoir focuses from the time Alex was born to
when he graduates from grade five. The author’s general purpose is to provide examples based on real
live experiences of what it is like as parents to
raise a child with autism and how their son will cope with the outside world. This memoir gave
me hope and I was able to maintain a positive attitude throughout it. It reminded
me that commitment is very crucial in order to succeed and maintain a healthy
and happy relationship with your family.
Autism, is a developmental disorder of
brain function. The most common symptoms of autism are the impaired social
interaction, issues with communication, verbal and nonverbal, and the limited
activities and interests they have. Daniel, and his wife Nanette were very
excited in welcoming their first born child to the world, but they would not
realize he was autistic at first.
Alex’s had seemed to be on track for
the first few months and nothing had caught their attention for him possibly
being autistic. But it did not take that long until they had noticed some
different behaviour with Alex. At first they had thought he had hearing
problems, as often he was non-responsive. (23) By the age of one he was showing
no signs of emotion, but had a fascination for spinning objects and was always
searching for something to spin (25).
At the age of three and a half, they
discovered Alex was autistic (80). This was not the news they had wanted to
hear, however it was a relief to finally have an answer for his behaviour. When receiving Alex’s diagnosis, some positive
news that they had received was that Alex was very cooperative and had a very
good temperament (80). Most importantly in the evaluation they notice Alex had
very keen observation skills (80).
When it came time for Alex to attend
school, Daniel and Nanette had agreed putting him in an inclusive classroom was
the most beneficial for him as it allowed him to work on his social skills and
it also gave the other children the chance to learn from Alex. Alex learnt
social skills differently than others and has rules to keep him on track. He
does not realize the extent of his abilities and that he has a gift.
The only criticism of the book I have
is that Daniel would be referring to when Alex was a toddler and then quickly
change the topic to him being a one year old again. I think it would have been
easier to read with no confusion if he had written consistently beginning with when
Alex was young and then progressively moving up with Alex’s age in a chronological
order.
I really enjoyed how although the main
focus was on Alex, the author, Daniel also focused on his and Nanette’s
experience as parents, and also the relationship between Alex and his younger
brother, Simon. I liked how your mind
was given the chance to digest all the different experiences with Alex in sections
rather than being hit with it all at once.
Having had the opportunity to work with
two children who have autism this past summer, reading this book brought back
memories of my experience with one of the children. Alex was very similar to
the boy I worked with, except the boy I worked with was non-verbal. I found how
Alex had the need to open doors very interesting as the boy I worked with did
the opposite and was constantly making sure all doors were shut. The other
thing I was also really interested in is how Alex was so fascinated by spinning
objects because the boy I worked with had a love for bouncing balls. I know it
is common for autistic children to be fixated on a particular object, it is
intriguing to see the similarity between two people who are both very different
but share similar characteristics.
Although I cannot relate to Daniel or
Nanette in being a parent to a child with autism, I was the care giver of two
autistic children during the day providing one on one care which allowed me to
experience some of the emotions they have gone through. I both agree and
understood how they would both feel frustrated at times, not just with them,
but with themselves as well. In my situation I did not feel like I was doing
anything right but after I understood and got to know them better I feel I made
an actual friendship with them and we had a mutual respect for one another. At
the end of the summer I felt I had learnt so much from their bright
personalities, sense of humour, and loving ways.
Daniel and Nanette made the decision to
have Alex placed in an integrated (inclusive) classroom once he began
elementary school. (96) I agree with their choice to have Alex in an integrated
classroom rather than a more specialized classroom. Nanette had not wanted Alex
to be working on his social skills with children who cannot interact. I feel
their decision was selfless and they were putting their child’s needs first. By
having him in an integrated classroom it will be a more appropriate environment
for him to work on his social skills and have other children possibly learn
from him.
My opinions have not necessarily
changed but they have improved. I felt I had a good understanding of what
autism was since I had experienced it with two children, but I feel like there
is so much material I did not know and this book has given me a thirst for more
knowledge on this topic. The book affected me in a positive way, as I had a
deep connection to it and had caught myself smiling and was very proud of the
accomplishments Alex had made. It is a book that you do not want to finish, I
was thriving for more.
I highly recommend this book as it was
enjoyable to read but also allows the reader to experience and be a part of the
Mont’s journey. This book covers the importance of family and how support is
needed in order to conquer challenges as a family. It allows the reader to walk
in the shoes of how a person with autism responds to the world differently. The
audience this book is aimed towards and would be beneficial for anyone who
works with children, as well as any parents, and anybody who has a connection
with someone who does have autism or a different learning disability.
Mont, Daniel. A
Different Kind of Boy: A Father's Memoir about Raising a Gifted Child with Autism. United
Kingdoms: Jessica Kingsley Publishers Ltd, 2002.
EBook.
No comments:
Post a Comment