Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues Book

I picked up this book because I recently started working with a family that does the Son-rise Program with their autistic daughter. The attitude concepts are inspiring: they are good not just for dealing with children, but for trying to stay positive within your own life. At the end of telling Raun's story, Kaufman gives further examples of other families that have benefited from the Options Institute. This was the most interesting part for me, because unlike Raun's story (which I had heard and read so many times from the family I work with and other sources), their stories were a nice change. In addition, the book gives a good idea of the attitudes and frustrations parents of special needs children are faced with. It emphasizes how professionals portray an negative, defeated attitude from the start of meeting an autistic child, and the need for such attitudes to change while treating these unique children.

I gave this book 3/5 stars, however, because something about Kaufman's writing bothers me. Kaufman is clear and observant, especially when he describes important moments in Raun's progress. But it's a bit dramatic, whether he is describing a difficult moment or a joyous occasion. And a lot of what he says seems redundant. Also, I felt that the Kaufmans saw professionals, felt discouraged with their attitudes, and then compiled their own program without trying or integrating other therapies that could of helped. Although I understand Kaufman's point in not trying to use old ABA methods, I wondered if there were other therapies Raun could of tried at the time that used behavior modification in a more positive way (like speech therapy)...and why the family did not pursue it/what was Kaufman's opinion of these.

Autism research and therapy methods have come a long way since the early '70s. Since this is an updated book of the original Son-rise memoir (original published in late 70's, though the reprint I have is from '94), I would of liked for Kaufman to have had a whole end chapter about his opinion on newer therapies. But that's just my preference.

An interesting, quick read that describes an unique experience regarding autism in the family.