Customer Reviews
One Just Like Him 
2008-03-28
I found this book very helpful. I could really relate to Judy's situation and saw many facets of my son's behavior in that of Sean's. It helped me to see that I am not the only one facing this same situation. Maybe my son will mature out of a lot of this too.
There's a Boy In Here 2007-09-08
I read this book when my son was diagnosed with autism. The concept looked interesting and what I read opened up the world of autism to me. Sean gave me the idea that I had to get into my son's world and not make him come to mine! And 4 years later, my son is a very high functioning autistic child - it wouldn't have been possible without what I learned from this book!
A Must Read Book for parents of Autistic children 2007-06-12
This book is a must read for parents or relatives of Autistic children. I now understand why my 5 year old son does some of the things he does - it makes him feel good, and he does not understand why mom & dad say no. Sean tells you what went through his mind. Read this book, it will help you understand. Pray for a cure......
My most favorite book on the subject!!! 2007-01-30
I absolutely LOVE this book!!! This is a very personable book that draws you into the Barron story as they share their family struggles and successes, hardships and joys. I love that Judy tells how she interpreted her son's behavior and how that is contrasted by Sean explaining what he was really thinking in his mind. The differences of thought show the confusion that easily happens between parent and child. Of course, each child is different but this does give excellent examples of the complexity of each personality within the autism spectrum. It is extremely important to communicate and try to understand what your child is thinking so that you can help him. It is equally important to be consistent to work through each issue. I love the honesty of Judy's frustration in the circumstance. And I love that Sean trusted his mom enough to share his life with the world. This book also proves the closeness between parent and child, even when their life is in upheaval. I have a nice collection of books on Autism, Fragile X Syndrome, OCD, OD, Asperger's, temperament problems, anger, and other such helps which were written by world-renown doctors and others but this simple book is, by far, the book I most relate to. Did I say that I love this book? It was the only book to give me hope. Whenever I felt I was going to give up, I'd think of this story. I credit this book for my son doing so well and being nearly normal so that people can't tell he is within the autistic/asperger's realm. :-)
The one and only realistic mother's memoir 2006-07-03
Having reading essentially all memoirs of mothers with kids of the spectrum, I have to say this is the one that really "tells it like it is." Judy Barron pulls no punches on the difficulties of managing her son. Sean, her adult son, provides wonderful insight into what his often maddening behavior meant. Mother and son find tremendous respect for each other's strengths and weaknesses. Truly an inspiring book.
Good perspective 2006-05-11
This incredibly insightful book--now translated into seven languages--examines autism from the unique perspective of both a mother and her son with autism. Both Judy and Sean Barron relate their understandings of the events that each have experienced, resulting in a rare insight into the mind of a child with autism.
One of the first autism accounts to draw attention to impulse control disorders 2005-10-04
This book is a powerful story written by the mother of a boy with autism and compulsive disorders. It is helpfully interspersed with reflections by the now adult Sean and the mother's style is straight forward, non-melodramatic and a very honest voice pushing no particular political barrow which is a welcome relief. This book came out the same year as Nobody Nowhere and both pushed the boundaries of existing autism stereotypes in mainstream society, perhaps particularly broadening our awareness of compulsive disorders and impulse control problems in people with autism. When these books first came out, both challenged existing belief in one pure form of autism and forced the autism field to begin to explore co-morbid conditions complicating what was being labelled as autism. There's a Boy In Here was a brave act of publishing in its time, being one of the first autism accounts to hit the bookshelves in High Street bookshops and bring awareness of autism to a far wider audience. A good read.
Good, realistic. 
2005-09-30
The book was a good and realistic look at first time parenting in a world that knew literally nothing about autism. The dual-perspective gave the problems the mother faced an explanation that encourages the reader to cheer on the family as they openly struggle to overcome the odds of professional opinions and unstoppable behaviors.
Reconditioning 2005-08-21
When Sean was born in late 1961, very little was known about autism, which was first diagnosed in 1943. Dr. Asperger for whom Asperger's Syndrome was named recognized similar behaviors in 1944. Those who specialized in treating people with autism more often than not relied on Kanner's, or Infantile Autism models. Scant attention was given to Asperger's Syndrome, which is also considered to be a form of High Functioning Autism. Sean, however was diagnosed at 4 with autism in 1965.
Sean's behavior was indicative of autism from infancy. He loved to drop things down the vent holes; self stim; throw toys up into trees because, as he later explained, he "liked to see things going up." Sean's mother developed a punitive relationship / response to Sean and, by her own admission was conditioned to respond negatively to him. Sean later said he would not have been able to pick her out of a group of women until he was 5.
Sean's sister Megan, born some 2 years later sounded like a really good influence on Sean. I loved her aversion for dolls and displeasure over how too many books with female characters relegated them to gender biased activities. Extraordinarily bright and verbal, Megan was Sean's biggest ally.
Nonverbal until he was nearly 5, Sean's rigid eating habits and love for routine all pointed him closer towards the autistic end of the autism/Asperger's (a/A) scale. Diagnosed at 4 and already medicated and in therapy, Sean's progress remained uneven. One doctor actually spanked Sean after being told about how the boy screamed at restaurants whenever a glass of water was placed on the table. I was thoroughly disgusted with the man and wondered why he was not brought up on charges. He had no authority to so much as lay a finger on that child! The boy's mother felt he was making some progress and continued with Dr. Rossi, which I just could not understand. I was glad that Sean tuned him out. I also loved it when Sean shook off his father and mother after he broke his arm in 1964-1965 so he could engage in his brand of play.
Sean also tuned his own father out because, as he would explain later, he had a severe communication disorder. Luckily for Sean, his father taught in their home district, so he was mainstreamed for the first few years. His 4th grade year was traumatically interrupted when in February he was enrolled in an unsatisfactory boarding school. He served 9 months there and was miserable. I just loved it when Megan said she hoped Sean would forgive them for putting him that school.
Once back in his home district, Sean continued to make acceptable progress in the class, but had trouble on the homefront. In 1975-76, Sean's father, irate over the boy's seeming lack of responsiveness, snubbed him for 8 whole days. Sean made every effort to get back into his good graces and it was so heartwarming when he succeeded.
It was interesting that Sean knew he was autistic since he was 10. He was lucky to have had this information. Even so, social nuances remained a challenge; another setback occurred in February of 1976 when his beloved maternal grandmother died.
Since autism and Asperger's are on the same neurosensory spectrum, there tends to be overlapping behaviors. As Sean got older and cognitively learned social expectations, his behavior moved him closer toward the Asperger's end of the spectrum. His poignant wish to "get a sense of humor" when he was in middle school was indicative of how subtleties, including humor are often learned "cognitively" by people on the spectrum. He also had to be taught why jokes worked; how; and why timing and delivery were important. Inane sitcoms such as his beloved "Gilligan's Island" was a very limited and restrictive portrayal of one type of humor. Still, Sean made strides.
More changes were on the way; he suffered through a megavitamin regimine and was luckily withdrawn from it. A group of bullies were called in on their cruelty to Sean; they were told that Sean had autism and one boy even apologized and never once harassed him after that.
In 1978 the Barrons left Ohio for Los Angeles; it was there that Sean, largely thanks to his sister navigated through the tricky social terrain of his new high school. He still had routines he had to follow; he often misread responses and had trouble understanding interactions. In early 1979, the movie "Son-Rise," based on the life of Raun Kauffman aired on television. Sean instantly "recognized" himself in some of Raun's early behaviors; at the end of the movie he discloses that he is autistic and for the first time in his life had a heart-to-heart talk about autism and why he behaved the way he did. Although the movie was overly maudlin and paled considerably next to the book, "Son-Rise," the best thing about it was that it proved Sean a chance to speak for himself.
The Barrons remained in California until 1984 when they moved across country to Manhattan. Sean insisted on returning to Ohio because he felt he had to prove himself on his old home turf. He graduated from college; worked in a nursing home and did more than just prove himself. He soared like the proverbial falcon.
I recommend "Fighting for Tony" along with this book. Tony, like Sean had autism and both young men were blessed with younger sisters who were extraordinary teachers who loved them unconditionally.
Best I have read! 2005-08-04
I am the Mom of a 13 year old boy that was diagnosed with Autism at 3. I have read several great books over the years, but this is my favorite!
I found it very helpful in understanding my non-verbal son. After reading this book I discovered that I can see things through his eyes and understand why he does what others would think of as odd. It also helped me to see that he is communicating to me in his own way.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that is a parent or works with a child/children with Autism. (I actually suggest to everyone that works with my son to read it)
