George and Sam - brilliant

[heartinthecountry]

I'm sure there have been past threads about this but I just wanted to say that I have just finished reading George and Sam and I would recommend it as compulsory reading for everyone, let alone anyone who has a connection with autism or SN.

I think Charlotte Moore is inspirational. It was clear that she has accepted the 'otherness' of her sons absolutely, and that any interventions are used to make it easier for them to 'be' rather than to 'cure' them or change them. I think we all have a lot to learn from that.

By a strange coincidence I finished reading this last night. So many of George and Sam's traits reminded me of ds1. Reading Charlotte Moore's record of Sam at 20 months was like reading about ds2 now (also 20 months). It's interesting that the reasons why she'd mistakenly thought that Sam was NT were almost exactly the same reasons why I'd previously thought ds2 was NT. The comparisons to NT Jake and why Charlotte thought/knew he wasn't autistic were also really helpful to me. And of course I couuldn't help smiling at the photo of Sam and the washing-machine.

ds1 LOVES the photo of Sam and the washing machine andlooks at it every time he gets hold of the book. I'm hoping that the comparisons to Jake will help my MIL STOP saying "we know just what its like as we've had 2 children".

Ooooh, I don't know. I usually avoid books, TV progs, films etc about autism/SN/disability. I'm absolutely sure its a good book but do you think its suitable for someone whose not into this sort of thing? My Paediatrician was talking about it and i did think I might make an exception. I read one of Donna Williams' books years ago, never again! I might get it and have a peek.....

I've just read this book and couldn't put it down at all. I found a brand new copy in the library but I don't think it will ever see the inside of the building again as it's now being passed round among friends!!

I think Charlotte's description has defined autism for me much more than anything else I've read and I so agree with your last para, HITC. I was actually rather stunned and chilled by her account of George's birth/early days as I could have written almost a carbon copy of that about my NT ds1. I rarely reread a book but I can see myself going back to this one.

i loved this book,theres bits of my three in there and i did smile about her boy with the pinocchio obbsession just like one of my three. i did try to read a donna williams book but gave up as i found it hard work,

Davros, would you like to borrow my copy - that way, if it isn't your sort of book, you won't have spent much on it. I live in north-west London and work in Westminster if you want to arrange a pick-up or will post it to you if you prefer.

Wow sis, that's so kind. WOuld you mind? Just going to collect DS so I'll CAT you later [smile}

Where is Lou with her red pen?

DAVROS....yes give it a go!!

Theres's a bit that i loved where she describes having to simply leave food on the worktop....for he son to scavenge....as if she said 'This is your food' he wouldn't eat it'
Reminds me of our home....more food gets eaten if it's just left lying around!

Some of it i found was less AS and more Classic Autism.....but one thing that is 100% the same is her description of her feelings.

She also wrote a lovely bit about all the things we sacrifice (like long luxurious baths) etc.....

She was excellent on R4 recently when she highlighted the HFA's that are failed/let down at school....due to having such high achademic levels....yet such difficulties with their social skills. (this i will no doubt be stating at leigh's parents evening tonight)

I think you should try it Davros - its not sentimental or trying to paint any kind of rosy picture, but neither is it depressing in the slightest. It is really a very straightforward account of the 2 boys, how their autism affects them and their family life. Charlotte Moore is a good writer so its very readable, often quite amusing.

Davros I can't read Donna William's books at all- never managed to finish one. But George and Sam is great- its a very warm description of autism- but also shows it for what it is iyswim- ie one major pain in the arse. I have a feeling that she's the sort of mum I would get on with in RL- and we've taken very similar approaches to dealing with it (right down to part time ABA - she's very positive about ABA).

BTW Davros in Nick Hornby's forward he says it isn't the sort of book he would normally read, but then goes on to say how good it is.

Do you know the weirdest book I have read recently? Catherine Maurice- Let Me Hear Your Voice. Very um American

OK folks! Tomorrow my mission is to get George & Sam (not sure I can stick with THe Shops by India Knight ). Sis, I got your CAT.
Oh, and if I don't like it or get upset I'm coming after all of you......

I too loved it. First book I've read that really captured my situation in any shape or form. I read Let Me Hear Your Voice and, personally, it annoyed me as the focus was about children being 'cured' from autism. George and Sam celebrates it! I particularly like the bit when she talks about the boys' joyous soaking wet trampoline sessions. I hope you enjoy it, Davros. Am shocked about India Knight. Have a confession to make that I used to commission her (in my previous life on a woman's magazine) to write stuff but she NEVER said anything offensive. I will definitely NOT be reading any of her books. Actually, probably got her e-mail address somewhere

What did India Knight say???

jakbrown I felt that George and Sam was like reading my diary- or at least a mixture of mine my friend's (Sam is a funny mix of ds1 and her dd)

Oh India Knight didn't say anything wrong! Its just that her book The Shops is soooooo trivial, although I'm not against a bit of trivia but this takes the carefully selected, coveted and expensive biscuit! Agree about Let Me Hear Your Voice, all Praise the Lord, ugh!

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who couldn't get through a Donna Williams book. I couldn't get into the Temple Grandin ones either tbh.

I read 'Let me Hear Your Voice' ages ago, Jimjams, and have wondered about it on and off, ever since. Do you think her children were truly autistic or misdiagnosed or what? It is a puzzling book.

No, Temple Grandin gathers dust on the shelf.... can you picture it

I don't know about The Shops but apparently My Life On A Plate is littered with references to 'spastic', 'retard' and at one point the narrator drops food down herself and says 'me and my downs syndrome'. Sorry, different thread- Lou's 'spastic' one.
I haven't e-mailed India but deffo feel I should. Whaddayoureckon?

ps Yes, I think Let Me Hear Your Voice is puzzling. And very misleading for mums like me with a child with classic autism at the severe end of the spectrum (I hate that word!!! Should be 'super' end of the spectrum).

Bloody hell, I'm going to piss on that book, burning's too good for it. Hadn't checked the spastic thread I'm ashamed to say as thought it was follow up to Love Actually.

Even better - p*ss on it and then post it back to her. Grrrr!

I wonder if India Knight feels differently now she has a daughter who has special needs?