Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome

As the father of a seven year old son who resides at the light end of the Autism Spectrum, I found Stephens book to be one of the very best I have read by someone who resides on The Spectrum themselves. It is also notable as one of the few autobiographical books by a male. Quite simply put, Stephen's forthrightness is wonderfully disarming. And his very unique ability (especially for someone actually on The Spectrum) to relate not only how the world appears to him but also how that reality fits into the one we nuero-typicals live in, shows an oversight I don't encounter in most typical adults. His positive example is nothing short of a godsend. Beyond giving us hope for our sons, daughters and loved ones who reside with Stephen in this very fascinating place, Stephen's book helps to unravel the mysteries we strive to understand every day. And that Stephen has achieved what he has thus far and has dedicated his life to furthering knowledge about and advocating for the individual on The Spectrum is testimony to this wonderful mans character (and to the loving devotion of his mother, his wife and his mentors!). I only hope my son strives to be half the man Stephen Shore has shown himself to be by this book. If you've just had The "Autism Bomb" fall on you - that is to say, just gotten the diagnosis, you owe it to yourself (and your loved one) to pick up this great book and start thinking positively now at the beginning of your journey, about your gifted child.

In the beginning of Stephen's book, he writes about the sleeping dragon of autism reawakened and his quest to find out more about *this way of being* and its relation to him.Beyond the Wall is a must read for a parent, teacher or professional. Parents often wonder what it is to be autistic, how they can help their child learn and grow thru the years, and how to help their loved one with hypo or hyper sensitivities and what will their child's future be like. Stephen's book will answer these very important questions.Stephen just doesn't write about his love of music, he shows how his love of music can help an autistic child to learn. Stephen writes about self-advocacy and how important it is to teach a loved one how to self advocate. Stephen writes about his academic learning from grade school to college. He writes of his frustrations in his earlier accounting career. He writes of going back to school for post graduate studies and switching careers. He writes of his new career, living life and being married. Beyond the Wall, is Stephen's autobiography, about being a son, brother, friend, educator, advocate and husband. Long after your done reading his book, you realize that todays autistic child will be tomorrow autistic adult and that Stephen has left the door open for all the children to follow.

There is certainly no shortage of books about autism, and there is also a rapidly growing collection of titles about Asperger Syndrome. When a child receives a diagnosis in the Autism Spectrum, parents search for the key to unlock the puzzle of this mysterious and baffling condition, and it's hard to know where to start reading. Occasionally there is a special contribution such as Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome by Stephen Shore. As an individual who grew up with autism, Shore has an exceptional input to give. Of course, every parent whose child lives within the autistic spectrum would yearn for their son or daughter to turn out like Stephen Shore or Temple Grandin. I myself am no exception to this rule. For that reason, as the father of a 22 year-old son with classic autism, this was a hard book for me to pick up. If I had not met Stephen at conferences and been awe-struck by his honesty and courage, I may have never opened the book. Although it was painful to revisit my dream for what was not to be, it was well worth the price. In Beyond the Wall, Stephen Shore emerges as a role model for children and adults and as an interpreter of the experience for parents and professionals. This little volume is a beacon of hope and a model of acceptance, and I recommend it with enthusiasm. Diagnosed with "atypical development with strong autistic tendencies" and nonverbal until four years old, Stephen Shore was once recommended for residential placement. Because his parents believed in him, they rejected that idea, which was fortunate for their family and the world. Stephen is now completing his doctoral degree at Boston University in special education. He has a focus on helping people on the autism spectrum to develop their capacities to the fullest extent possible-whatever that may be. By walking us through his life story with insight and simplicity, Stephen guides the reader to an awareness of the different way of being which he shares with people on the spectrum. His ability to articulate his experiences clearly and with humor make the book seem like a friendly visit with the author. The author begins by describing a typical day in his life including his strong sensitivities that are the residue of his earlier autism. The sound of a bluejay which may be pleasant to most in the early morning feels like the beak is scraping his eardrum. Shaving feels like a power sander on his chin, so Stephen maintains a beard. He rides his bicycle almost everywhere he goes not just for exercise and relaxation, but also for stimulation and to avoid smelly public transportation-and to meet people with a similar interest. Then based upon his mother's recollections and supplemented by family photos throughout, the author reports on his early life as a quiet and gentle infant who shocked his family by rolling over at eight days. By ten months, he was walking and often turning in circles with a finger in his ear. As

I couldn't put this book down. As a parent of a high-funcitoning autistic child, I found the many descriptions and insights in this book useful and helpful to understanding my son's perspective and having a sense of where I need to step in and/or where I could back off and let him be himself. Stephen Shore's courage and frankness are humbling. The descriptions of how he experiences empathy are vivid and poignant...you could "see" how he feels. For any teacher working with students on the autism spectrum, this is a must read.

Stephen Shore has written an unusual and worthy addition to the world of literature regarding Asperger's Syndrome. Shore's work explores aspergers from three different viewpoints: as that of a clinician working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders, as an adult who himself has aspergers, and as an adult remembering the challenges aspergers has presented him with over the course of his lifetime.As the parent of two boys with Autism Spectrum Disorders, I was delighted with Shore's explanations of why my children feel the need to do some of the things they do, and what purpose those behaviors serve in their lives.In this reader's opinion, Beyond the Wall is an invaluable guide to anyone who knows someone with aspergers and autism. Shore's writing is right up there with Temple Grandin's, and should be included as a valuable reference book in anyone's collection of books about autism/aspergers.