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Without Reason : A Family Copes with Two Generations of Autism
Book by Hart, Charles A.
292 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 19, 2018
As I review current research for a presentation on language disorder's impact on learning for homeschool parents, I decided to reread this very interesting book. Charles Hart is raw in sharing his experiences with autism. He grew up with his elder brother having autism yet no one understood it at the time. Later, his older son exhibited the same symptoms. He shares what he learned from the perspective as sibling and father.
Pieces of this biography have stuck with me for decades and influenced treatment I provided as a speech language pathologist. I think his story about his son putting away laundry wet because no one taught him to check and see if it was dry was very revealing. Individuals with significant autism need to be taught "if-then" clauses. For example, "if the clothes are wet, then get help for the dryer. If my fried chicken is still bloody, then get help." If higher function, he/she could be taught to recook the chicken.
As part of preparing for the presentation, I interviewed a mom whose teenager son was diagnosed with autism soon after his MMR vaccine. She also reflected on scripting--preplanned talks--and if-then statements. For her son, the if-then statements were critical to help him curb his outbursts. Learning how to establish if-then statements was life changing. For example, "if you do not put on your shoes and get in the car, you cannot go with us to the zoo." "If you continue to yell at your sister, then you will lose your computer time today." She reflected that it helped him decided how to handle his dilemma.
This book is the forerunner to many other books from individuals living with the chaos of autism in their families. This provides an inside look to the struggle to not just live, but progress. Charles Hart demonstrates strength character in learning about the diagnosis and helping his family move forward.
I hope and pray that someday God will reveal ways to stop autism in its tracks.
Pieces of this biography have stuck with me for decades and influenced treatment I provided as a speech language pathologist. I think his story about his son putting away laundry wet because no one taught him to check and see if it was dry was very revealing. Individuals with significant autism need to be taught "if-then" clauses. For example, "if the clothes are wet, then get help for the dryer. If my fried chicken is still bloody, then get help." If higher function, he/she could be taught to recook the chicken.
As part of preparing for the presentation, I interviewed a mom whose teenager son was diagnosed with autism soon after his MMR vaccine. She also reflected on scripting--preplanned talks--and if-then statements. For her son, the if-then statements were critical to help him curb his outbursts. Learning how to establish if-then statements was life changing. For example, "if you do not put on your shoes and get in the car, you cannot go with us to the zoo." "If you continue to yell at your sister, then you will lose your computer time today." She reflected that it helped him decided how to handle his dilemma.
This book is the forerunner to many other books from individuals living with the chaos of autism in their families. This provides an inside look to the struggle to not just live, but progress. Charles Hart demonstrates strength character in learning about the diagnosis and helping his family move forward.
I hope and pray that someday God will reveal ways to stop autism in its tracks.
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August 12, 2023This non-fiction book definitely read like a novel.
I started it on a Friday and had a hard time putting it down; almost finished it over the weekend.
Though published in 1989, in my opinion it didn't feel that dated.
The author tells the story about his family's experience with autism. His older brother had it, and then his son. It's bittersweet.
It feels like not a lot has changed as far as what we know about what causes it, how to best care for the child/adult with it, etc.
All through the book I kept wondering about Ted, who is about my age, and wondering how he is doing now. I hope he is well and happy.
Recommended.
I started it on a Friday and had a hard time putting it down; almost finished it over the weekend.
Though published in 1989, in my opinion it didn't feel that dated.
The author tells the story about his family's experience with autism. His older brother had it, and then his son. It's bittersweet.
It feels like not a lot has changed as far as what we know about what causes it, how to best care for the child/adult with it, etc.
All through the book I kept wondering about Ted, who is about my age, and wondering how he is doing now. I hope he is well and happy.
Recommended.
August 15, 2008
Hart writes from a perspective that is by no means unique in the broader community, but which I hadn't come across in literature - that of the younger brother and father of people with Kanner's, or 'classic', autism. His much older brother Sumner was born in 1920, years before autism was widely known about, and lived at home with his mother for sixty years without education or intervention. Charles' own son Ted was born in the seventies, and when he showed difficulties in early childhood they began looking for answers, finding the reason for Sumner's pronounced differences along the way.
Hart's account is sensitive without being saccharine and manages to be factual without alienating readers who aren't looking for a book heavy on clinical facts. There are genuine moments of humour that made me laugh aloud. Hart and his wife set realistic goals for Ted, and tried to make sure that they were truly what was best for Ted, not just their own wishes. They carefully cultured Ted's autonomy as much as they could, to avoid making the same mistakes as had been made with Sumner, who was lost for many years after the death of his mother, missing her guidance. And reading Hart's story, I strongly felt that this was a man who not only loved his child, but *respected* him as an autistic person.
I was particularly impressed by their efforts to keep the life of their younger son, Nick, as normal as possible despite the special needs of his older brother. Too many neurotypical kids grow up too fast and learn to fend for themselves when their sibling takes a lot more parental effort and attention.
Unfortunately, this book (published in 1989) seems to be out of print, which is a shame because it's much more grounded and well-written than 90% of the parental accounts I've read. It's an unfortunate reality that trashy tales of miracle cures sell better than realistic and tender accounts of living with autism, whether as a family or an autistic person.
You can buy secondhand copies of Without Reason:
on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com or .co.uk or .ca)
on ABEbooks (http://www.abebooks.com)
on Alibris (http://www.alibris.com)
Hart's account is sensitive without being saccharine and manages to be factual without alienating readers who aren't looking for a book heavy on clinical facts. There are genuine moments of humour that made me laugh aloud. Hart and his wife set realistic goals for Ted, and tried to make sure that they were truly what was best for Ted, not just their own wishes. They carefully cultured Ted's autonomy as much as they could, to avoid making the same mistakes as had been made with Sumner, who was lost for many years after the death of his mother, missing her guidance. And reading Hart's story, I strongly felt that this was a man who not only loved his child, but *respected* him as an autistic person.
I was particularly impressed by their efforts to keep the life of their younger son, Nick, as normal as possible despite the special needs of his older brother. Too many neurotypical kids grow up too fast and learn to fend for themselves when their sibling takes a lot more parental effort and attention.
Unfortunately, this book (published in 1989) seems to be out of print, which is a shame because it's much more grounded and well-written than 90% of the parental accounts I've read. It's an unfortunate reality that trashy tales of miracle cures sell better than realistic and tender accounts of living with autism, whether as a family or an autistic person.
You can buy secondhand copies of Without Reason:
on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com or .co.uk or .ca)
on ABEbooks (http://www.abebooks.com)
on Alibris (http://www.alibris.com)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2011
Hart does a good job of telling his family's story honestly, not sugar-coating the tough parts of caring for family members with autism. I appreciated his candor. I learned some things about what it's like for a sibling of an autistic person, and I need that perspective in order to help my son. On the other hand, I must say I am deeply grateful that the Lord has granted me the gift of the faith to believe that His way is best and He has placed autism in our family for a purpose beyond what we might be able to see. I trust that He will sanctify all of us and help us to become more loving and caring toward others as a result of our specific family experiences. The book might be depressing for relatives of autistic people because I'm not sure Hart communicates the blessings as well as he communicates the struggles.
March 19, 2016
Wonderful, scary, poignant. Dr. Hart outlines his childhood with autistic brother… they didn’t know at the time that’s what it was… to his son, Ted’s autism. Hard choices like placing his son in a group home, etc.
October 4, 2008
What do we do when we have children with disabilities? This book is a memoir that follows a man's journey with his autistic brother and son.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews