There’s a Boy in Here by Judy Barron

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There’s a Boy in Here: a mother and her son tell the story of his emergence from Autism by Judy and Sean Barron

Book review of There's a Boy in Here by Judy and Sean BarronStars: ****

Future Horizons (2002)
268 pages
Memoir/Special Needs

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Summary: This is a view from inside the mind of autism―a dual autobiography written in point-counterpoint style by Judy Barron and her son, Sean Barron. Together, they chronicle Sean’s young life and the effects of autism on him and his family. As a youngster, Sean was confrontational, uncontrollable, “isolated and desperately unhappy.” Baffled about how to interact with others, he felt “like an alien from outer space.” Then, at seventeen, Sean experienced a breakthrough that began his release from autism. Today he’s a public speaker, college student, reporter―and close to his family.

There’s a Boy in Here

This book is the first I’ve seen and read that was written or partially written by the person WITH autism.

The mother recounts her son’s life and then Sean himself interjects with what he remembers of that time in his life. I didn’t know that those with Autism remembered how they acted and why they did it. It’s a real eye opener to the autism world.

What many autistic kids do is not longer just “weird” and “pointless” behaviour. Sean explains why he did such repetitious things. For anyone even remotely interested in autism and definitely for anyone who has an autistic in the family, this a must read. I was captivated and couldn’t put the book down.

What also makes this an interesting read is Sean was born in the 60’s. Back then, there was very little known about Autism and what people thought they knew was later proved wrong. Raising an autistic kid in the 60’s and 70’s was a lot harder than it is today.

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About Kathleen

I've been a nonfiction lover for as long as I can remember. I love children's nonfiction as well and love to share my knowledge and the books I gained them from, with the world. I wish more people would give nonfiction a chance.