Brains Trains and Video Games, Living the Autism Life

by Alicia Hart

Brains, Trains & Video Games: Living The Autism Life details the emotional, humorous and often profoundly insightful journey of an everyday family raising a child with autism. This is a book about life with Ewan—the center of one family's universe and the gravity that holds them together. Far from being the stressor that causes this family to disintegrate, autism has made this family what it is today. A family that laughs more than it cries, and a family that eagerly awaits for the next Ewanism to spring forth from the lips of this solar system’s sun. Over the years we have built a bridge between his world and ours, his brain and ours, and his perspective and ours. Join us on the journey we’ve taken to help create a world of possibility for our son—a world filled with words, thoughts, ideas, and love. Alicia Hart, author of Brains, Trains & Video Games, is a wife, mother and advocate for children and adults with autism spectrum disorder. She has worked for various autism related agencies, early intervention programs, and has consulted with schools, hospitals, and other programs regarding autism spectrum disorders, feeding aversions, and augmentative and alternative communication. Alicia continues to write and has planned a series of books surrounding the autism life. The first book, Brains, Trains & Video Games details their life through infancy, early intervention, augmentative and alternative communication, feeding problems, medical care and preschool. The next book, Foods, Moods & Isms will be out soon.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction, Parenting, Biography, Memoir

Kindle Edition

First published June 5, 2011

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fully admit that I am not the parent of a spectrum child, but I am a teacher who has worked with a number of ASD kids. This book is a comprehensive insight into the life of a family with a child who is on the Autism Spectrum. However, it's not the best written thing I ever read. I would like it more if, like my high school English teachers used to stress, she would "show" instead of "tell" more of her information, and I wish someone had edited more carefully (She has used "complaisant" when she means "complacent," "persona non grata" for person who is (completely welcome but) not present, and "pronunciate." Am I being picky?). She also gives the same information several times within the book, as if she hasn't already told you before. That said, though, it's a really good story, and I'm learning a lot, and I'm quite sure that I would not have made my way through her life with as much calm and drive as she has.

I also have somewhat of an issue with the ending. She stopped the book on a very abrupt cliffhanger. It was as if she had written a 500 page book, and an editor said "this is waaaay two long. We're going to have to break it into two parts." So she just found a likely place and ripped the manuscript in half. I have no sense of closure. That said, though, I will likely read her next book when it comes out so that I can learn what happened to her son.

Overall, this book was highly engaging, but somewhat of a bumpy ride.

[Rebekah Crain · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was raw- not written by professional talent, but by emotion and experience. There were times where the wording became repetitive, and several times where information was presented as new even though the author had already covered it. If you can get past this, then you should read this book.

I personally don't have a child or family member who deals with Autism, but I have friends that do. Because of that, I wanted to read Ewan and Alicia's story, figuring it would be insightful. It was. The story kept my interest, and I was anxious to see how things worked out for Ewan and his family. However, I was disappointed because the story just came to an abrupt stop with no rhyme, reason, or resolution to the issue that was at hand. Perhaps this was a tactic used to segway to another book? Of that though I'm not sure, but what I was sure of was my disappointment. Up to that point I was hooked, yet the jarring halt left me unfulfilled and stuck wondering what happened next.

[Katharina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Please help Ms. Hart proofread her book! She has an interesting and captivating memoir which I failed to finish due to many grammar and spelling mistakes. She also recounted the same stories at multiple points in the book. I'd like to know how Ewan is doing now, but I can't bring myself to finish the book.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a previous book review I detailed why it may be that a person would pick up a non-fiction book on a special interest subject. In this case you either have autism in the family or have some professional interest in the condition, eg. a Special Ed. Teacher, instructor/therapist, etc. - relative of the author notwithstanding. Being a father of a child with ASD - my special interest in choosing to read this book - the kind of information I am looking for is very specifically the condition, how it is handled, and perhaps how it affects other family members. I personally also get some comfort and strength, perhaps coping strategies, from the familiarity with others' experience. In reading this book, however, I found myself trying to skip past and/or highlight the infuriating metaphors, cliches and flowery depictions, and the dramatics of familial relationships, personal problems and national events, to get to the more relevant information and focus on behaviour, diagnosis, therapies, progressions/regressions, IEPs and schooling, etc., and these details were sparse, at best. Whilst I understand the necessity of putting the relevant information into context I got the impression the author was really trying to weave a story, and it was distracting, not to mention, cringeworthy, and I say that knowing how it feels to experience and recount such things.


The author's commitment to her son's diagnosis and therapy mirrors my own -indeed the recognition and enthusiasm felt is a positive from the book - and the impetus to write this book I can understand, but if the intention is to impart experience, knowledge and advice to those living with similar conditions, then that's where the focus needs to be, and not, with respect, on your spouse's many personal problems or the colour of the raindrops on your car window screen.

[Val Sprague · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the subject matter very interesting. I'm a special ed teacher and while I don't work exclusively with autistic kids, the occasional autistic kid does make his/her way into my room and I find them very challenging and fascinating to work with.

Like many other previous reviews, I found that this book needs some significant editing. There were too many repeated stories and a lot of grammatical and spelling errors. I also found that she spent way too many pages detailing her childhood, her husband's childhood, her father's illness and her marriage. This was supposed to be a book about her son and his autism. Everything else should have been secondary and perhaps written in the first chapter or 2 as a bit of background information.

I think there is a lot of potential in her writing. She is funny and passionate. A little more experience and the help of a good editor would be really helpful.

[JanBreesmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Brains, Trains, and Video Games by Alicia Hart to be a welcome change from the other books I have read on autism. As a mother and advocate of a young son with autism, Ms Hart writes from her heart, using her personal experience to share what she has learned about dealing with family, healthcare practitioners, and her autistic son, Ewan.

I have a four year old grandson with autism. This book helped me to understand what my grandson, my daughter, husband, and their other children face in their everyday life. It gives me hope. I recommend this book for anyone who loves someone with autism.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a teacher that's been teaching a while, but new to the EC world and to the many faces of ASD, I loved the insight this mom gives to their journey through the maze of life with a child with ASD. It gives me, as a teacher, some understanding about the spectrum-students I teach...what their challenges look like outside the classroom... I thoroughly enjoyed the book and how EASY it was to read. Can't wait for the next one!

[Julie Shick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful story about how it is on the inside of a family affected by autism. I felt the editor should have worked closer with this new author though. I found parts repeated often. Rereading s paragraph that was worded slightly different than it was on the opposite side of the page. One example was the author's daughter's name was Skye after an island was told in the beginning of the book and again at the end. This detracted from a great story that needs to be heard. Then the end was abrupt.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an ASD parent there were so many familiar moments for me. It is a book that is need of a really good review by an editor. It became very disjointed and extremely repetitive. I don't think I will ever forget how much time he spent at Lab School each day! Way too much personal information. Would have loved to hear more about Ewan and less about everyone else. I did laugh, I did gasp and I did smile.

[Amy Stephan Zeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working in Early Intervention, books like this remind me about how each family is always at their own place with their child. Alicia is a huge advocate for EI and I respect all she has done. I appreciate her being so raw with her experiences through her journey. Reminds me to refresh the way I do my job. I will read her next book, but didn't love how they ended things, but I guess that's what you do to have people read the next one!

[Natalie Casella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The excruciating pain and the joy felt by parents of autistic children are poignantly described by Ms. Hart. Her fighting for Ewan embodied the spirit of the tiger mother. A detailed account of the medical and emotional turbulence felt by Ewan and the whole family. A promising writer who writes with emotion and can explain medical terms to us regular folks.

[Joyce Sigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know this author personally. Her book is fascinating...a walk through her life as the mother of a fascinating autistic child and a "normal" child. You will enjoy the book, particularly if you have a vested interest in the subject matter. She needs an editor, though, as there are grammatical errors that can be highly distracting.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a small piece of the professional puzzle in autism treatment, this book is imperative to read. My only vice is that I would prefer to hear less about the family, and much more about the interactions with professionals and how that specifically altered their lives with autism. However, this book made valid claims, I wish only to have had concrete examples.

[Neal & · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely a heartfelt in-depth account of life with Autism, but EXTREMELY slow. I found myself skimming through sections because I was getting bored. Definitely will not read the next book. Preferred watching Temple Grandin.

[Bobbi Bullard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good accounting of a family working to continue being a family while raising an autistic child to fulfill his potentia.

I enjoyed this and would recommend it.

The book is well written and interesting.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a good book; I really admired how the author became such an advocate for her child.

I did not like how it ended. Apparently, there will be more books, but this ending was not a good place to leave the story.

[Laura Schrillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

No sugar coating here. You can feel the struggle of this mother as she deals with this young mans diagnosis and the people that enter his life. Very interesting when discussing the machine and food chaining.

[♫Angielee♫ · Rating 2 out of 5]

First admission: I don't have a child on the spectrum
Second admission: I couldn't finish this book
Third admission: I erased my review because what is in my head isn't coming out right on paper.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alicia Hart's book Brains, Trains & Video Games was written from her personal experiences as a mother of a child with autism. It was fascinating to read about her family as well as the interactions with various professionals. Very emotional and insightful.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suspect that if you don't have an interest in autism, you may not find this to be quite as riveting as I did but even if you have an interest in children's development, its so well worth the read. Keep the tissues handy though.....

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery of autism

How I admire this mother's compassion and persistence in trying to unravel the mysteries of her son's affliction. The book only covers 4 years but it seems like more because of the difficulties encountered one after another.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just simply awesome!

[Samantha Stichter · Rating 3 out of 5]

the end is so much better than the beginning. look forward to the next.one

[Kari Fisher williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful tale of a Mother's perseverance and love of her child with autism. This woman does NOT give up! Loved it!

[Georgiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not perfectly edited and with an abrupt ending, but this is a very interesting read.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and honest portrayal into one mother's journey with autism. Opened my eyes and my heart.