Making Peace with Autism: One Family's Story of Struggle, Discovery, and Unexpected Gifts
by Susan Senator

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Book Reviews of Making Peace with Autism: One Family's Story of Struggle, Discovery, and Unexpected Gifts

Book Review: Give Autism (Peace) a Chance!
Summary: 5 Stars

At 8, Nat became a brother for the first time when Max was born. Their yougest brother Ben was born when Nat was 14 and Ben was 6. Max was described as the "peacemaker" and "trailblazer" who was able to interpret a lot of Nat's behavior. Ben balanced out the fraternal temperaments with his direct, forceful approach. He appeared to be Nat's counterpart as Nat was apt to retreat. Max was also described as "wearing the mantle of the oldest brother" because of Nat's great needs.

Nat was able to attend school with lots of support and made great progress. The boy's mother wisely did not buy positive reports at face value; it was she who insisted that school staff place more emphasis on having Nat make eye contact and reduce his self-stimming behaviors.

At the end of the book, Nat explained that his "silly talk," as he called it which consisted of neologisms was his way of having something he did not have to explain to others. He said that when people talked to him, their questions came at him too fast and he found that confusing and overwhelming, a common plaint among the autistic population. His way of coping was to make soft sounds including neologisms because, as he said, that gave him "something he did not have to explain to others" and helped desensitize him to overwhelming sensory input.

I like the way the family "made peace" with autism; at all times, Nat is accepted, taught and encouraged to make more strides. The John Lennon classic, "Give Peace a Chance" could be the song that underscores the message of this book.

The John Lennon classic "Give Peace a Chance" could well be the theme song of this book. This is an excellent book that includes good websites and addresses of organizations that work with people with autism and their families. This is a book for everybody. We need this book!

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