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Breaking Autism's Barriers: A Father's Story
Bill Davis is the father of Chris, who has autism. Breaking Autism's Barriers: A Father's Story chronicles Bill's fight to overcome the physical, emotional, public, educational, and therapeutic obstacles to his son's disorder. Few books about autism have been written from a father's perspective. None so effectively walks the reader through each moment of a family's experience. It is an honest, direct account from a father's point of view of bringing up a child with autism, and the pressures and pleasures this brings to him, his wife Jae and his daughter Jessica. Now a leading autism advocate, Bill Davis gives advice and support to families trapped in a frustrating, unyielding system. Every facet of daily life with autism - including potty-training, aggression, marriage, family support, and finances - is discussed, with humour and realism. Breaking Autism's Barriers gives useful information to help parents jump the hurdles necessary to get a diagnosis, effective education, skilled therapists, and funding. Professionals will gain great insight on how to work better with families struggling with autism. And families will take comfort in knowing they are not alone, and be inspired by an ordinary man like Bill who is overcoming autism's obstacles
400 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2001
3 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Bill Davis
2 booksLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Bill Davis has trained and spoken to many Police Departments, Fire Fighters, Ambulance workers, State Troopers, Group Home workers, Emergency Room workers, Universities, parents and Support Groups. Recently, he has received the Temple University's Center of Disabilities "End the Victim's Silence Advocacy Award". He has also been cited by the PA State Senate for work with the Police and the Disabled. He was a speaker at the PA Crime Commission Conference 2002 and at the Penn State Autism Conference 2002, and keynote speaker at Chapter Leaders ASA (Autism Society of America) in Dallas 2000. He is also past president of the Harrisburg Chapter ASA.
Bill Davis has trained and spoken to many Police Departments, Fire Fighters, Ambulance workers, State Troopers, Group Home workers, Emergency Room workers, Universities, parents and Support Groups. Recently, he has received the Temple University's Center of Disabilities "End the Victim's Silence Advocacy Award". He has also been cited by the PA State Senate for work with the Police and the Disabled. He was a speaker at the PA Crime Commission Conference 2002 and at the Penn State Autism Conference 2002, and keynote speaker at Chapter Leaders ASA (Autism Society of America) in Dallas 2000. He is also past president of the Harrisburg Chapter ASA.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 8, 2018
This is perhaps a self-centered review but you're getting a bit more of a personal perspective on this book than I would perhaps normally give (especially given I tend to avoid reviews anyway).
I wish I hadn't procrastinated reading this book as there were a lot of similarities between this families approach to helping their child that would have boosted my spirits in the frequent low times that were happening when I first obtained this book.
Reading it through the eyes of a parent who has passed that stage in their child's development though, it was still encouraging to discover there were several resources they mentioned creating that I too created in isolation not realising that someone else out there had already been down that same path, and hearing some more from a practical perspective about some of the practices and philosophies that also work(ed) for us.
Where our differences lay was in the more political/policy aspects of their journey but this is likely due to larger differences between us due to country and culture. Still even this subject as it was covered in the book was interesting to read.
The text did wander a little into the "toot my own horn" at times which put me off a bit but once again I think this is more a reflection on the difference in cultures than a failing of the author.
Overall it was an account from the Dad's perspective of the extraordinary lengths two parents (and their daughter) went to provide what they saw as the best support to help their son reconnect with the world around him.
It was an easy read but by no means light on content.To say I devoured this book in a couple of hours wouldn't be stretching the truth far. The style of writing on the whole drew me in and the way it was broken down into sections and chapters meant even though chronologically it was choppy, it wasn't overly noticeable and just worked.
Getting near the end of the book you realise their son is still only a young child and they've got so much further to travel in their journey, but that in itself is a fitting reminder that you can travel a long distance in a short time.
I wish I hadn't procrastinated reading this book as there were a lot of similarities between this families approach to helping their child that would have boosted my spirits in the frequent low times that were happening when I first obtained this book.
Reading it through the eyes of a parent who has passed that stage in their child's development though, it was still encouraging to discover there were several resources they mentioned creating that I too created in isolation not realising that someone else out there had already been down that same path, and hearing some more from a practical perspective about some of the practices and philosophies that also work(ed) for us.
Where our differences lay was in the more political/policy aspects of their journey but this is likely due to larger differences between us due to country and culture. Still even this subject as it was covered in the book was interesting to read.
The text did wander a little into the "toot my own horn" at times which put me off a bit but once again I think this is more a reflection on the difference in cultures than a failing of the author.
Overall it was an account from the Dad's perspective of the extraordinary lengths two parents (and their daughter) went to provide what they saw as the best support to help their son reconnect with the world around him.
It was an easy read but by no means light on content.To say I devoured this book in a couple of hours wouldn't be stretching the truth far. The style of writing on the whole drew me in and the way it was broken down into sections and chapters meant even though chronologically it was choppy, it wasn't overly noticeable and just worked.
Getting near the end of the book you realise their son is still only a young child and they've got so much further to travel in their journey, but that in itself is a fitting reminder that you can travel a long distance in a short time.
January 13, 2011
I liked the sections that he talked about IEP and FAPE. Those were helpful. Also, playing with your son/daughter as often as possible whether they talk, have eye contact, tantrum, or not.
I didn't really find the rest of the book helpful and I can't stand how he idolized himself and his family about every action they took. No one is perfect, but he sure made himself out to be.
He also gave a website: www.autismhelp.net for obtaining an ID tag in case your child is found by others or the police. There is also a section on how to keep your child safe.
I didn't really find the rest of the book helpful and I can't stand how he idolized himself and his family about every action they took. No one is perfect, but he sure made himself out to be.
He also gave a website: www.autismhelp.net for obtaining an ID tag in case your child is found by others or the police. There is also a section on how to keep your child safe.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews