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School Daze #1
School Daze
An alternate title/cover edition can be found here.
After suddenly receiving custody of his five year old son, Ben must learn how to be a dad. That fact that he'd even fathered a child was news to him. Not only does this mean restructuring his sixty-hour work week and becoming responsible for another human being, but also Kyle has autism.
Enter the school system. Under the guidance (and bullying) of a gifted teacher, Ben and Kyle take tentative steps to becoming father and son.
Teacher Melanie Nicols sees Ben as a dead beat dad, but grudgingly comes to admire how he hangs in, determined to learn for his son’s sake. Her admiration grows to more as father and son come to rely on Melanie being a part of their lives.
When parents, particularly mothers,receive the news that their child has autism, they spend countless hours researching the subject, usually at night, after an exhausting day. Teachers, when they learn that they'll have a student with an autism spectrum dirorder, also try to learn as much as they can. This novel was written for such parents and teachers - a light read that still offers strategies and information on autism.
After suddenly receiving custody of his five year old son, Ben must learn how to be a dad. That fact that he'd even fathered a child was news to him. Not only does this mean restructuring his sixty-hour work week and becoming responsible for another human being, but also Kyle has autism.
Enter the school system. Under the guidance (and bullying) of a gifted teacher, Ben and Kyle take tentative steps to becoming father and son.
Teacher Melanie Nicols sees Ben as a dead beat dad, but grudgingly comes to admire how he hangs in, determined to learn for his son’s sake. Her admiration grows to more as father and son come to rely on Melanie being a part of their lives.
When parents, particularly mothers,receive the news that their child has autism, they spend countless hours researching the subject, usually at night, after an exhausting day. Teachers, when they learn that they'll have a student with an autism spectrum dirorder, also try to learn as much as they can. This novel was written for such parents and teachers - a light read that still offers strategies and information on autism.
210 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2012
504 people are currently reading
384 people want to read
About the author
Sharon A. Mitchell
39 books59 followersDr. Sharon A. Mitchell lives on a farm, with her nearest neighbor several miles away. Doesn't that seem like the ideal setting to spark the imagination? She takes long walks with her hundred-pound German Shepherd dogs, Pickles and Dill. (She didn't name them - don't blame her).
Her newest work are clean, contemporary, western romances in The Farmers of Goodrich County series.
She's working on her eighth psychological thriller novel for the When Bad Things Happen series.
Besidestfive short stories tied to that series, she's written six novels, each featuring an autistic child or young adult. Two nonfiction books accompany that autism series.
Sharon's been a teacher, counselor, psychologist and consultant for decades and continues to teach university classes to soon--to-be teachers and administrators.
Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell is author of the psychological thriller series When Bad Things Happen:
·GONE
·TRUST
·SELFISH
- INSTINCT
-REASONS WHY
-MINE
-SANCTUM
·YOUNG ANNA (a short story)
·Anything for Her Son (prequel short story)
Western Romances:
- The Farmer Takes a Wife
-The Farmer Says I Do
- The Farmer's Christmas Duty
- In Case of Rain
She's also written a series of six novels, each featuring a child or young adult on the autism spectrum:
·Autism Goes to School
·Autism Runs Away
·Autism Belongs
·Autism Talks and Talks
·Autism Grows Up
·Autism Goes to College
·Autism Box Set- Books 1-3
In addition, there are two nonfiction books:
·Autism Questions Parents Ask & the Answers They Seek
·Autism Questions Teachers Ask & the Answers They Seek
Her newest work are clean, contemporary, western romances in The Farmers of Goodrich County series.
She's working on her eighth psychological thriller novel for the When Bad Things Happen series.
Besidestfive short stories tied to that series, she's written six novels, each featuring an autistic child or young adult. Two nonfiction books accompany that autism series.
Sharon's been a teacher, counselor, psychologist and consultant for decades and continues to teach university classes to soon--to-be teachers and administrators.
Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell is author of the psychological thriller series When Bad Things Happen:
·GONE
·TRUST
·SELFISH
- INSTINCT
-REASONS WHY
-MINE
-SANCTUM
·YOUNG ANNA (a short story)
·Anything for Her Son (prequel short story)
Western Romances:
- The Farmer Takes a Wife
-The Farmer Says I Do
- The Farmer's Christmas Duty
- In Case of Rain
She's also written a series of six novels, each featuring a child or young adult on the autism spectrum:
·Autism Goes to School
·Autism Runs Away
·Autism Belongs
·Autism Talks and Talks
·Autism Grows Up
·Autism Goes to College
·Autism Box Set- Books 1-3
In addition, there are two nonfiction books:
·Autism Questions Parents Ask & the Answers They Seek
·Autism Questions Teachers Ask & the Answers They Seek
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
September 24, 2016
Full review available on Youtube.
Review Highlights:
This review is specifically of the autistic characters in the book and the standard of representation.
Personal Opinion of the Book Without the Autistic Characters - 4/5 Stars
Clarity of Autism - 5/5 Stars
Use/Overuse of Stereotypes - 3/5 Stars
Accuracy of the Portrayal of Autism - 5/5 Stars
Narrative Arcs and Character Development for the Autistic Characters - 4/5 Stars
Respect Shown to the Autistic Characters by the Narrative - 5/5 Stars
Final Score - 4.5/5 Stars
Full review available on Youtube.
Review Highlights:
This review is specifically of the autistic characters in the book and the standard of representation.
Personal Opinion of the Book Without the Autistic Characters - 4/5 Stars
Clarity of Autism - 5/5 Stars
Use/Overuse of Stereotypes - 3/5 Stars
Accuracy of the Portrayal of Autism - 5/5 Stars
Narrative Arcs and Character Development for the Autistic Characters - 4/5 Stars
Respect Shown to the Autistic Characters by the Narrative - 5/5 Stars
Final Score - 4.5/5 Stars
Full review available on Youtube.
February 9, 2017
This mixture of fiction with non-fiction thrown into the story is educational for parents and teachers. Years ago I taught a learning styles class while teaching sixth grade. Some of this I already knew and some was new. The information shared was valuable in and of itself not only for autistic learners but for educators and parents to accommodate the learning preferences of everyone. "Auditory processing time" was a new term for me even though I had a student that was a prime example of this; he scored the highest ranking on the state mandated test when there was no time limit. Thank you Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell for opening our eyes and minds more!
June 17, 2020
This is a superb way to inform people and share a lot of information. By writing a fictional story the author has managed to discuss and inform parents and readers about autism and offer suggests on how to deal with or approach certain situations. This is an interesting, educational, informative, enjoyable and emotional book to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 17, 2017
A story about a man who didn't know he had a son till he was 5 yrs old when his mom said she cant handle him anymore being pregnant with her husbands child also. Well now he finds out he has a autistic child he never knew about. Goes on to how it worked out for him going to school and learning things and how dad changed his life style and work since having the boy. Lets people learn a bit about autism if they are not aware of some of the things about children with it. Lots of things happen and dad thinks hes a bad parent. But hes just learning. He loves his little boy Kyle now and cant think of life without him.
November 21, 2016
This book deals with a "new to fatherhood" man who receives custody of his son. The child is autistic and he has no idea how to communicate with him. He takes him to school the first day and meets the teacher who will change both of their lives. She teaches both father and son how to communicate with each other and also deal with the world around them. It is a light fiction type book but deals with some very timely and necessary issues pertaining to the diagnosis of autism. An enjoyable book but while reading this first one, be aware that there are 3 more books as sequels.
July 3, 2019
Right on!
This book got autism perfectly. Different not naughty or wrong or bad. It is actually one of the most accurate books I have read on the subject. And I read lots...before I gave up on 'expert.' But Sharon gets it. And I love the way this book combines romance with learning and makes it fun.
Madson Scool...every autistic child and family deserve a school like that. Sadly too few in this world.
Only minor thing with the book was some typos and grammar. But only a grammar Nazi would let those interfere with a book this wonderful.
This book got autism perfectly. Different not naughty or wrong or bad. It is actually one of the most accurate books I have read on the subject. And I read lots...before I gave up on 'expert.' But Sharon gets it. And I love the way this book combines romance with learning and makes it fun.
Madson Scool...every autistic child and family deserve a school like that. Sadly too few in this world.
Only minor thing with the book was some typos and grammar. But only a grammar Nazi would let those interfere with a book this wonderful.
February 14, 2013
I LOVED this book. Being an autism mom, i'm accustomed to reading, dry, boring medical-like books filled with facts and figures. This was a refreshing change of pace. Being not really so into fiction, i still really enjoyed this fictional story with built in ideas. For example, the main character has issues and the teacher helps him, and in the process gives ME as a mom, ideas about how to help MY son in a similar situation. VERY cool idea. Very good read for autism moms!!!
November 12, 2016
Very helpful
The book is a very good read for those who need or want to learn about autism and the strategies used to deal with the behaviors of those with autism. It is written in a story rather than a self-help format, which makes it easy to read and to learn at the same time.
I recommend the book for teachers, parents or caregivers who are close to some one with any of the autism spectrum disorders.
The book is a very good read for those who need or want to learn about autism and the strategies used to deal with the behaviors of those with autism. It is written in a story rather than a self-help format, which makes it easy to read and to learn at the same time.
I recommend the book for teachers, parents or caregivers who are close to some one with any of the autism spectrum disorders.
January 8, 2017
This book was a nice little romance but the romance was only a background piece of the story. The real gem is the characters, especially Ben. But even better is the plain straighforward approach to autism and some straightforward approaches to dealing with autistic individuals. I really appreciate the bettert understanding of how autistic people process things so differnenly thant most other people. Everyone should read this book!
March 7, 2017
I really enjoyed this book for its depiction of autistic people,, which seemed very true. I really appreciated how it focused on things these people can do and how it showed they can learn as long as you find the right way to teach them.
I especially loved Kyle's relationship with his father.
I did think that the romance didn't need to be there, I would have liked the book better without it.
All in all, I really liked this book and would love to read the other school daze books.
I especially loved Kyle's relationship with his father.
I did think that the romance didn't need to be there, I would have liked the book better without it.
All in all, I really liked this book and would love to read the other school daze books.
February 9, 2013
The premise was promising, and the characters were likable enough. So why did I feel like this book was a waste of my time? Mitchell the spent most of it repeating herself. A reader of average intelligence, I found Mitchell's writing style to be lazy at its best, condescending at its worst. So glad it was a free ebook!
February 21, 2019
Autism in a 5 year old
I have been interested in Autism Spectrum disorders and this story presents a viewpoint of someone who doesn’t have a clue as to what Autism is. I loved the well developed characters, the story line was well planned and the read was easy and interesting. Looking forward to her other stories!
I have been interested in Autism Spectrum disorders and this story presents a viewpoint of someone who doesn’t have a clue as to what Autism is. I loved the well developed characters, the story line was well planned and the read was easy and interesting. Looking forward to her other stories!
August 9, 2018
Enjoyable Read, Yet Professional
I read this book because I am a teacher and often get autistic children in my classes. I was impressed with the book. It was professional, yet had romance in it. It was thoroughly enjoyable.
I read this book because I am a teacher and often get autistic children in my classes. I was impressed with the book. It was professional, yet had romance in it. It was thoroughly enjoyable.
May 10, 2020
This story is a fiction layer over a lot of information about raising and teaching children of kindergarten age who are on the autism spectrum. Conveniently, single dad Ben has just taken custody of a child he didn't previously meet, and said kid has been in special needs classes for two years, which gives the father a great head start.
Ben is astoundingly trusting and free with his money for someone who works with accounts. He paid out large sums for his son's care despite having no proof either of fatherhood or of the need for special ed or indeed of these classes taking place. He didn't even ask for a photo. He takes the boy, Kyle, and brings him to school with no paperwork whatsoever to prove he didn't kidnap the boy. Later we learn that Ben has been quietly shoring up the family bakery despite his own father's aggressive ways constantly losing them money. That is actually less believable still. Ben has plenty of self-made worth which means he can afford to pay a housekeeper, so this is not going to be every parent's experience.
Ben however is a guide to the experience of a parent of a child with these requirements, so never mind. Mainly what we are here to see is the methods used by the teachers and the reactions of normal shop staff and so on. We learn that these kids like to be hugged rather than tickled, like visual rather than aural information and learn quickly how to use gadgets. They like seats they can rock and they want to stay with the familiar. Later in the story we meet a young man on the spectrum who has no job or friends, but has talents for cooking and fixing. We also see that normal kids are mixed in the classroom which is Montessori-style, and this helps those kids to be responsible for their fellows (but not all parents are pleased).
A gradual romance is mixed in but the priority remains Kyle which is great.
I downloaded a free copy. This is an unbiased review.
Ben is astoundingly trusting and free with his money for someone who works with accounts. He paid out large sums for his son's care despite having no proof either of fatherhood or of the need for special ed or indeed of these classes taking place. He didn't even ask for a photo. He takes the boy, Kyle, and brings him to school with no paperwork whatsoever to prove he didn't kidnap the boy. Later we learn that Ben has been quietly shoring up the family bakery despite his own father's aggressive ways constantly losing them money. That is actually less believable still. Ben has plenty of self-made worth which means he can afford to pay a housekeeper, so this is not going to be every parent's experience.
Ben however is a guide to the experience of a parent of a child with these requirements, so never mind. Mainly what we are here to see is the methods used by the teachers and the reactions of normal shop staff and so on. We learn that these kids like to be hugged rather than tickled, like visual rather than aural information and learn quickly how to use gadgets. They like seats they can rock and they want to stay with the familiar. Later in the story we meet a young man on the spectrum who has no job or friends, but has talents for cooking and fixing. We also see that normal kids are mixed in the classroom which is Montessori-style, and this helps those kids to be responsible for their fellows (but not all parents are pleased).
A gradual romance is mixed in but the priority remains Kyle which is great.
I downloaded a free copy. This is an unbiased review.
October 17, 2019
Absolutely fabulous. Dealing with realistic situations.
December 17, 2017
Love love love!
This was such an amazing book. A sweet love story, yet so informative about autism. Such a great read, highly recommend!
This was such an amazing book. A sweet love story, yet so informative about autism. Such a great read, highly recommend!
September 27, 2023
This is an amazing book. I love the characters and how well the author wrote it. I'm excited to read more of this series
June 5, 2017
WordsAPlenty was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
Autism Goes to School – Book One of the School Daze Series is an easy to read book that follows the trials and tribulations of Ben and Kyle. A new and single father, Ben is given sole custody of his son and is learning how to care for his son Kyle, a young child with autism. A quiet workaholic CPA, Ben has to rearrange his work schedule, his home, his entire life to provide the care and attention Kyle needs.
Entering into school was a shock for Ben, seeing the teacher responding to her students and the dangerous furniture. Through the patience of the teacher and Ben’s growing love of Kyle, they both find the right tools, help and commitment to raise Kyle in an atmosphere that promotes his growth.
Dr. Sharon Mitchell lays out, in a fictional story line, different issues and styles for dealing with autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Mitchell presents several different scenarios that those with autism face and their caregivers (parents, family, friends, teachers) as well. Further she offers different tips and tools for coping. Her attention to feelings and being “alone” in situations such as this is insightful and supportive. The fears that parents and the children face with this disorder can be overwhelming, love and tenderness along with patience and changing one’s perspective is important. Having never met anyone with autism before, I feel this book series has offered me a number of insights that will prove useful.
This is the first in a series of books addressing the issues surrounding autism and it is an easy read, no medical or professional terminology; it is clearly well written and in a clear and concise style. Dr. Mitchell builds each character giving them depth and a personality that the readers cannot help but love and feel passionately about as they each find their way through their struggles.
This is an excellent book in a series about autism and one I look forward to reading more. Dr. Mitchell is a B.R.A.G. Medallion winner as well as a Gold Winner in the Realistic Human Relations Fiction Book category of the Human Relations Indie Book Awards.
It is obvious that Dr. Mitchell is well versed in the subject matter and has much to share with her readers. WordsAPlenty gives this book a five-star rating for its creative writing style and sharing of valuable information.
Autism Goes to School – Book One of the School Daze Series is an easy to read book that follows the trials and tribulations of Ben and Kyle. A new and single father, Ben is given sole custody of his son and is learning how to care for his son Kyle, a young child with autism. A quiet workaholic CPA, Ben has to rearrange his work schedule, his home, his entire life to provide the care and attention Kyle needs.
Entering into school was a shock for Ben, seeing the teacher responding to her students and the dangerous furniture. Through the patience of the teacher and Ben’s growing love of Kyle, they both find the right tools, help and commitment to raise Kyle in an atmosphere that promotes his growth.
Dr. Sharon Mitchell lays out, in a fictional story line, different issues and styles for dealing with autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Mitchell presents several different scenarios that those with autism face and their caregivers (parents, family, friends, teachers) as well. Further she offers different tips and tools for coping. Her attention to feelings and being “alone” in situations such as this is insightful and supportive. The fears that parents and the children face with this disorder can be overwhelming, love and tenderness along with patience and changing one’s perspective is important. Having never met anyone with autism before, I feel this book series has offered me a number of insights that will prove useful.
This is the first in a series of books addressing the issues surrounding autism and it is an easy read, no medical or professional terminology; it is clearly well written and in a clear and concise style. Dr. Mitchell builds each character giving them depth and a personality that the readers cannot help but love and feel passionately about as they each find their way through their struggles.
This is an excellent book in a series about autism and one I look forward to reading more. Dr. Mitchell is a B.R.A.G. Medallion winner as well as a Gold Winner in the Realistic Human Relations Fiction Book category of the Human Relations Indie Book Awards.
It is obvious that Dr. Mitchell is well versed in the subject matter and has much to share with her readers. WordsAPlenty gives this book a five-star rating for its creative writing style and sharing of valuable information.
October 29, 2020
I have just finished reading this and highly recommend it. The story is exceptionally well written and all of the characters have a great depth to them so that we really get to understand how their minds work. I particularly liked the way that the author was able to explain to us (via explanation to Ben) the reasons behind Kyles behaviour And have us see that every behaviour has a reason. I will not say anymore than that as I don’t want to spoil the book. But as someone who has dealt with children and adults who are on the spectrum for many years I found this book fascinating. Thank you also for the handy links to equipment provided at the end of the book.
January 18, 2018
Autism Goes to School is an easy, enjoyable read. I do not know many people with autism but I have done a fair amount of reading, and I think this book will be very good for educating people about it. The author provides a sympathetic viewpoint character, Ben, who is ignorant about autism until his son Kyle is diagnosed and Ben gains custody of Kyle. Ben makes a lot of mistakes at first but he is well-meaning and a quick study, and none of the consequences of his mistakes are ultimately very dire. The novel tells the story of Kyle's first year of kindergarten, in a mixed special needs class taught by an expert teacher, Melanie Nichols. Over the course of the year, Ben and Kyle get to know each other better, Ben learns to be a father, Melanie becomes closer to both father and son, and a romance develops between Melanie and Ben.
The book works well as education and reassurance for anxious parents, but to my mind it is less successful as fiction. I found the situation by which Ben abruptly and surprisingly finds himself a single parent to a 5-year-old with autism to be a bit contrived. There is also a minor conflict around the fate of Melanie's mixed classroom, in which special needs and mainstream children learn together, but that is happily resolved midway through when Ben makes an impassioned speech in defense of this type of education. As a reader, I hadn't known such classrooms existed, but the author's words in Ben's voice presented a strong argument.
In general I didn't find Ben that convincing as a character, because he had very few rough edges. He stepped up admirably, almost too admirably to be believable, to the challenges dumped in his lap by his extremely irresponsible ex-girlfriend. The characters of Melanie and Millie, too, were almost too good to be true, and there wasn't very much difference between Ben's narrative voice and Melanie's. Both were stoic, cheerful, hardworking, and accepting of their lot.
There were a number of sweet, heartwarming moments in this book, which made it a pleasant read, but the plot got somewhat repetitive after a while, as Ben makes yet another in a series of parenting mistakes which get Kyle into a little danger, and Melanie bails them out. Melanie clearly cares about Kyle, and Ben seems like a nice enough guy, but one wonders a bit what Melanie is getting out of this relationship. She is doing most of the heavy lifting and emotional labor; someone as beautiful and caring and helpful as she is portrayed could probably do better.
Still, the happy ending, not only for Kyle, Ben, and Melanie, but also for Ben and Melanie's siblings, is appreciated. The story shows that autism doesn't have to ruin relationships, and that people with autism and neurotypicals can live and work together in mutual respect, support, and love.
The book works well as education and reassurance for anxious parents, but to my mind it is less successful as fiction. I found the situation by which Ben abruptly and surprisingly finds himself a single parent to a 5-year-old with autism to be a bit contrived. There is also a minor conflict around the fate of Melanie's mixed classroom, in which special needs and mainstream children learn together, but that is happily resolved midway through when Ben makes an impassioned speech in defense of this type of education. As a reader, I hadn't known such classrooms existed, but the author's words in Ben's voice presented a strong argument.
In general I didn't find Ben that convincing as a character, because he had very few rough edges. He stepped up admirably, almost too admirably to be believable, to the challenges dumped in his lap by his extremely irresponsible ex-girlfriend. The characters of Melanie and Millie, too, were almost too good to be true, and there wasn't very much difference between Ben's narrative voice and Melanie's. Both were stoic, cheerful, hardworking, and accepting of their lot.
There were a number of sweet, heartwarming moments in this book, which made it a pleasant read, but the plot got somewhat repetitive after a while, as Ben makes yet another in a series of parenting mistakes which get Kyle into a little danger, and Melanie bails them out. Melanie clearly cares about Kyle, and Ben seems like a nice enough guy, but one wonders a bit what Melanie is getting out of this relationship. She is doing most of the heavy lifting and emotional labor; someone as beautiful and caring and helpful as she is portrayed could probably do better.
Still, the happy ending, not only for Kyle, Ben, and Melanie, but also for Ben and Melanie's siblings, is appreciated. The story shows that autism doesn't have to ruin relationships, and that people with autism and neurotypicals can live and work together in mutual respect, support, and love.
November 14, 2017
I loved the book most especially the information shared on autim and treatment of autism. This is a book I can recommend to anyone with a child who has autism as well as to those who would like to get to understand this condition.
As a mental health practitioner it is a great step for the author to share awareness in this interesting and captivating way. The character are easy to relate to and the plot simple, funny but still painting an accurate picture of challenges encountered by parents and loved ones of people with mental health conditions and how to go about it.
Knowledge is the most important thing, just knowing how the condition affects your loved one goes a long way in enabling you to understand them and thus helps them to understand you.
As a mental health practitioner it is a great step for the author to share awareness in this interesting and captivating way. The character are easy to relate to and the plot simple, funny but still painting an accurate picture of challenges encountered by parents and loved ones of people with mental health conditions and how to go about it.
Knowledge is the most important thing, just knowing how the condition affects your loved one goes a long way in enabling you to understand them and thus helps them to understand you.
May 7, 2019
This smacks of cause of the week journalism. Increasingly school boards are balking at the costs of special needs children.
Despite his career as a chartered accountant Ben sounds rather naive here. His girlfriend tricks him in fathering a child when she claims to be on the pill. She leaves for California when she's a month pregnant and doesn't inform him of his fatherhood until the costs of treating the child for severe autism become exorbitant. He then willingly coughs up $75,000. When she becomes pregnant again by a new boyfriend the man demands she lose the brat who is dumped on the father. A single bachelor father faces a steep learning curve when he shows up at the child's school a day later. He lacks legal custody documents, birth record, medical history, any knowledge of autism and he and the child are utter strangers. He has only the mother's claim of his paternity.
This book is a thinly disguised romance that talks about a father suddenly burdened with a special needs child he didn’t know he’d bred whose true purpose is to teach its readers about the world view of those with autism. It looks at it not as a disease or disability but as a unique world view that requires special teaching methods. We all learn in our own ways some by studying models and theories, some by doing only, and some by visual cues.
I have had my own second hand experience of the integrated teaching method espoused here. As a letter carrier my neighbourhood had a large high school with 2500 students some of the jocks strong enough to throw their girl friends onto their shoulders one-handed. It also included a low-rise seniors complex and the Bruce-Lynn School for the retarded. A decision was made at the school board level to shut down the special school and integrate the students with the high school. Since it is provincial policy that students complete a required number of hours of community service before they can graduate regular students were offered the opportunity to work with the special needs children as part of their schooling. This might not seem important on the face of it.
In most neighbourhoods seniors know to avoid being on the street when high school students are traveling between school and home for their own safety. Not so in this neighbourhood. One of the seniors even walked her dog on school grounds feeling no sense of intimidation. The letter carrier was treated with respect. A Muslim family even lived in the neighbourhood on a much traveled street.
This story becomes very predictable. Aside from that I have only one complaint, a story about teaching I’d have expected to pay closer attention to grammar and spelling. A third of the pages are devoted to advertising for the series to follow.
Despite his career as a chartered accountant Ben sounds rather naive here. His girlfriend tricks him in fathering a child when she claims to be on the pill. She leaves for California when she's a month pregnant and doesn't inform him of his fatherhood until the costs of treating the child for severe autism become exorbitant. He then willingly coughs up $75,000. When she becomes pregnant again by a new boyfriend the man demands she lose the brat who is dumped on the father. A single bachelor father faces a steep learning curve when he shows up at the child's school a day later. He lacks legal custody documents, birth record, medical history, any knowledge of autism and he and the child are utter strangers. He has only the mother's claim of his paternity.
This book is a thinly disguised romance that talks about a father suddenly burdened with a special needs child he didn’t know he’d bred whose true purpose is to teach its readers about the world view of those with autism. It looks at it not as a disease or disability but as a unique world view that requires special teaching methods. We all learn in our own ways some by studying models and theories, some by doing only, and some by visual cues.
I have had my own second hand experience of the integrated teaching method espoused here. As a letter carrier my neighbourhood had a large high school with 2500 students some of the jocks strong enough to throw their girl friends onto their shoulders one-handed. It also included a low-rise seniors complex and the Bruce-Lynn School for the retarded. A decision was made at the school board level to shut down the special school and integrate the students with the high school. Since it is provincial policy that students complete a required number of hours of community service before they can graduate regular students were offered the opportunity to work with the special needs children as part of their schooling. This might not seem important on the face of it.
In most neighbourhoods seniors know to avoid being on the street when high school students are traveling between school and home for their own safety. Not so in this neighbourhood. One of the seniors even walked her dog on school grounds feeling no sense of intimidation. The letter carrier was treated with respect. A Muslim family even lived in the neighbourhood on a much traveled street.
This story becomes very predictable. Aside from that I have only one complaint, a story about teaching I’d have expected to pay closer attention to grammar and spelling. A third of the pages are devoted to advertising for the series to follow.
January 13, 2018
Title: Autism Goes to School
Author: Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell
Publisher: Inkitt
ISBN: B074JD3GH3
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/School-Daze-Bo...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
School Daze 1
After suddenly receiving custody of his five-year-old son, Ben must learn how to be a dad. The fact that he'd even fathered a child was news to him. Not only does this mean restructuring his sixty-hour work week and becoming responsible for another human being, but also Kyle has autism.
Enter the school system and a shaky beginning. Under the guidance of a gifted teacher, Ben and Kyle take tentative steps to becoming father and son.
Teacher Melanie Nicols sees Ben as a deadbeat dad, but grudgingly comes to admire how he hangs in, determined to learn for his son’s sake. Her admiration grows to more as father and son come to rely on Melanie being a part of their lives.
When parents receive the news that their child has autism, they spend countless hours researching the subject, usually at night, after an exhausting day. Teachers, when they hear that they'll have a student with an autism spectrum disorder, also try to learn as much as they can. This novel was written for such parents and teachers - an entertaining read that offers information on autism and strategies that work.
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
This was an incredible story about a father and son finding their way together overcoming many of the difficulties while dealing with autism. Ben didn't even know he had a son until he was two and all the woman wanted was money to allow Kyle, his son, the treatment he needed for his autism. Then two years later she dumped Ben with the child after refusing him any contact. Ben had no idea how to raise child let alone the problems that go along with an autistic diagnosis. They were lucky when Kyle was placed in Melanie Nicols kindergarten class. She had the skills and patience to help Ben learn what he needed after her initial thought that he was a terrible dad. Watching Kyle and Ben's relationship grow as trust and understanding changed into love was an inspiration. I for one can't wait to read the rest of the series. Alone the way, Melanie's brother Jeff entered the scene as a high functioning autistic adult who had challenges of his own who could become a mentor to show Kyle and Ben that the future was wide open for Kyle if they continue to support him along the way.
Author: Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell
Publisher: Inkitt
ISBN: B074JD3GH3
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/School-Daze-Bo...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
School Daze 1
After suddenly receiving custody of his five-year-old son, Ben must learn how to be a dad. The fact that he'd even fathered a child was news to him. Not only does this mean restructuring his sixty-hour work week and becoming responsible for another human being, but also Kyle has autism.
Enter the school system and a shaky beginning. Under the guidance of a gifted teacher, Ben and Kyle take tentative steps to becoming father and son.
Teacher Melanie Nicols sees Ben as a deadbeat dad, but grudgingly comes to admire how he hangs in, determined to learn for his son’s sake. Her admiration grows to more as father and son come to rely on Melanie being a part of their lives.
When parents receive the news that their child has autism, they spend countless hours researching the subject, usually at night, after an exhausting day. Teachers, when they hear that they'll have a student with an autism spectrum disorder, also try to learn as much as they can. This novel was written for such parents and teachers - an entertaining read that offers information on autism and strategies that work.
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
This was an incredible story about a father and son finding their way together overcoming many of the difficulties while dealing with autism. Ben didn't even know he had a son until he was two and all the woman wanted was money to allow Kyle, his son, the treatment he needed for his autism. Then two years later she dumped Ben with the child after refusing him any contact. Ben had no idea how to raise child let alone the problems that go along with an autistic diagnosis. They were lucky when Kyle was placed in Melanie Nicols kindergarten class. She had the skills and patience to help Ben learn what he needed after her initial thought that he was a terrible dad. Watching Kyle and Ben's relationship grow as trust and understanding changed into love was an inspiration. I for one can't wait to read the rest of the series. Alone the way, Melanie's brother Jeff entered the scene as a high functioning autistic adult who had challenges of his own who could become a mentor to show Kyle and Ben that the future was wide open for Kyle if they continue to support him along the way.
March 22, 2021
One of my best reads. Highly recommend!
Everyone should read this book. I love a good romance and this book has it. I love to learn a little and this book expanded my understanding of autism in a entertaining fun way. I could not wait to see what happens next in the series and as the mother of an amazing adult aspie under diagnosed as just ADD, it was eye opening!
Everyone should read this book. I love a good romance and this book has it. I love to learn a little and this book expanded my understanding of autism in a entertaining fun way. I could not wait to see what happens next in the series and as the mother of an amazing adult aspie under diagnosed as just ADD, it was eye opening!
February 13, 2018
I learned a lot from this book. It filled me with wonder. It shows what many people are yet to learn, that others who are not "average" are normal. It's time we realize the humanity is moving on. Just because someone does not act the way most of us doesn't makes them differnt. It just means they see and treat there lives differently. We work among them. They live among us. Problem free. They are not much different. Hell they are human. So why do most of us have a problem with this? Why do we treat them a such? It's like racism, the same problem, we can't accept the difference and it makes us see tgem like that when they are not, they are just as good as us if not better, I hadn't seen it this way before but thanks to this book now I do an i want to learn more. Maybe even one day be like Miss.Nicols. Once I started I couldn't stop. Now I want, no need it in paperback. Hopefully when I get the books planned before this one and get enough points.
October 22, 2017
Lovely story with GREAT information.
ByCandyon July 25, 2017
Verified Purchase
I just read "Autism Goes to School" and loved it. As a special education teacher who wants to get my Masters in Autism and specialize in students with autism, I loved the way you took a fictional book to not only educate people about autism but also let them know that their feelings no matter what they may be are okay as long as they don't give up.
This book was enjoyable to read. I really felt for all of the characters even Mel's parents as they learn to let go. While exposing the reader to ABA, I appreciated how you leave it to the reader to decide what their opinion of it is and if it works. It is refreshing that you expose the reader to possible techniques without lecturing and saying they have to use one specific thing.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the "School Daze" series.
ByCandyon July 25, 2017
Verified Purchase
I just read "Autism Goes to School" and loved it. As a special education teacher who wants to get my Masters in Autism and specialize in students with autism, I loved the way you took a fictional book to not only educate people about autism but also let them know that their feelings no matter what they may be are okay as long as they don't give up.
This book was enjoyable to read. I really felt for all of the characters even Mel's parents as they learn to let go. While exposing the reader to ABA, I appreciated how you leave it to the reader to decide what their opinion of it is and if it works. It is refreshing that you expose the reader to possible techniques without lecturing and saying they have to use one specific thing.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the "School Daze" series.
June 21, 2020
Ben finds himself suddenly a parent, a single parent at that - when his ex-girlfriend drops their son hat his doorstep. This in itself would already be difficult, but Kyle is an autistic 5 year old, and Ben has to learn not only to be a father, but also how to deal with autism.
This is their story - Ben, Kyle and Ms. Nichols, his kindergarten teacher, who luckily is a specialist on autism.
A lovely story of a man, who bumbles through typical parenthood mistakes and problems, as well as the more challenging ones, created by his son's autism but still falling deeper and deeper in love with his son.
Well-written and educational, inspirational. It could be a good introduction to people, who will have to face the reality of autism and to explain their way of thinking
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is their story - Ben, Kyle and Ms. Nichols, his kindergarten teacher, who luckily is a specialist on autism.
A lovely story of a man, who bumbles through typical parenthood mistakes and problems, as well as the more challenging ones, created by his son's autism but still falling deeper and deeper in love with his son.
Well-written and educational, inspirational. It could be a good introduction to people, who will have to face the reality of autism and to explain their way of thinking
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 15, 2020
A different way of seeing.
First, I loved this book as a story I chose to read.The characters are amazingly real.
Next, This is a true look into autism, with a guide into how to think and respond to an autistic person. I was a school nurse for many years and found a need to delve deeper into the thinking and feeling in a good responsible way. Many times reading this book would have been helpful. Back then the world was just admitting there was something different going on. We were trying to understand this different child, how he functions and how to respond to his needs and actions. Looking forward to the next book. Even older persons have a need to learn more. And...this is a definite good read!
First, I loved this book as a story I chose to read.The characters are amazingly real.
Next, This is a true look into autism, with a guide into how to think and respond to an autistic person. I was a school nurse for many years and found a need to delve deeper into the thinking and feeling in a good responsible way. Many times reading this book would have been helpful. Back then the world was just admitting there was something different going on. We were trying to understand this different child, how he functions and how to respond to his needs and actions. Looking forward to the next book. Even older persons have a need to learn more. And...this is a definite good read!
November 24, 2020
Autism Goes to School from. Dr. Sharon A. MitchellIs a great book to read. It is about a father who suddenly has to take care of his autistic 5-year-old son when he has never seen the boy. It is a moving book in which the father's despair is evident. He's sitting with his hands in his hair. Fortunately, the boy's teacher is a great support and teaches the father to take care of his autistic son. The book is written with a lot of knowledge about autism and it is heartwarming how this teacher deals with her students. I think this is a very good book is for people who have to do with autism, because it contains a lot of useful tips. It is a very well written book and I could hardly put it down. I bought the whole series right away and am interested in the next books .
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