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The Boy Who Loved Windows: Opening The Heart And Mind Of A Child Threatened With Autism
This enthralling memoir is the day-by-day story of how one little boy was saved from a path leading to autistic isolation. It is also a first-hand account of the new model of research and treatment pioneered by Stanley Greenspan, M.D. that makes this recovery possible for others.
Walker, whom pediatricians worried would never walk, talk, or perhaps even hear or see, was lucky enough to be born to a family who would not accept defeat. Pat Stacey reveals the darkest fears, struggles, exhaustion, tiny victories, and eventual joys her family faced as they gradually brought Walker into full contact with the world.
Walker, whom pediatricians worried would never walk, talk, or perhaps even hear or see, was lucky enough to be born to a family who would not accept defeat. Pat Stacey reveals the darkest fears, struggles, exhaustion, tiny victories, and eventual joys her family faced as they gradually brought Walker into full contact with the world.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 22, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 22, 2019
The Boy Who Loved windows tells the story of two parents trying to understand autism and help their child who is suffering from it. The narrator is the mother of the child, but it is really a story about the entire family. The book also talks about other people relevant for this story, such as medical workers, pediatricians and volunteers. This is a book that I will never forget. It has definitely stayed with me. I read it in my early twenties when I started to volunteer with kids with special needs. I found it very educating and insightful, especially because at the time I wasn't very knowledgeable about autism. Moreover, the book is very touching and emotional, and I think that's important as well. This book is likely to move its readers and that is obviously good for raising awareness about this syndrome. Today there has been some advancement in this field, but autism hasn't been completely explained. The Boy Who Loved windows is still a very relevant read.
This book is written by a women whose son was diagnosed with autism and it traces efforts to help him. Efforts made not only by the child parents, but by others as well (volunteers and medical workers). The book itself was borrowed and recommended to me by a woman of a child diagnosed with autism. As I already mentioned, in my early twenties, I used to volunteer with children who had special needs. I found this book very helpful in many ways. It shows something of what a parent must feel but also what a child must feel in this kind of difficult situation. Not only the child diagnosed with autism, but the sibling as well. This is something that effects the whole family.
Remarkably, the book is so full of life and humour. Situation in which Stacey found herself must have not been easily. Nevertheless, her voice is so candid and often even funny. The book is such an honest and open account about challenges of parenthood and especially about challenges of parenthood of a child that needs special care. There was this episode of her feeling grateful that her daughter had lice because it gave her excuse to spend time with her, cleaning her hair and grooming her, time that was typically devoted to her younger brother. I think that is what many parents of kids with special needs feel at time. They know that the child with special needs requires attending to its needs, and yet every child needs its parent. I'm sure many of them feel at times guilty of not spending enough time with the child that is healthy- and vice versa. If they spend time with the healthy child, they might feel like they're not giving enough to the child with special needs.
Being a parent of a child with special needs can be a very frighting experience. There is the whole logistics of it- a lot of additional pressure and stress. Having a child that suffers must be every parent's worse nightmare. Nobody wants their child to suffer. However, there is hope. I have seen ways in which people come to help one another, acts that make you believe in mankind again. There is always hope. This book is about that too, about hope and human bravery. I would recommended it to all parents. Moreover, I would recommend it to anyone who has suffered or watched their love ones suffer. This book is a beacon of hope. We cannot change the cards we are dealt, but we can make the most with them.
Patricia Stacey is actually a very good writer. I mean this would be a beautiful book even if she wasn't, but the fact that Patricia can write adds another dimension to it. From what I noticed, Patricia has got some definite writing talent. Besides managing to be warm, sincere and funny, she also has a writing style that I like. As I probably already mentioned, this book is both emotional and educating. Speaking of which, this book is not just a story. There is valuable knowledge in The Boy Who Loved Windows. It is a book from which you can learn a lot. The struggle of a mother is at the centre of this story. It is worth mentioning that this struggle has brought remarkable results and we can definitely learn from Patricia's experience. You can find some sound advice in this book, advice for parents, educators or just anyone who wants to be informed. Most people can relate to health problems, and learning how to deal with it is something I believe we can get better at, even if it is often sometimes that might take time. Life being what it is, we have all probably seen someone we love in distress. Educating ourselves about different syndromes, learning how to lean onto one another in times of stress, all this is important as well.
I'm confident that this is still a relevant read. I do not know when exactly this book was published yet even today there is so much about autism that we do not know. Sometimes there is a stigma connected with speaking about health problems or developmental issues, but these things affect us all, and it is something we need to learn how to talk about. The Boy Who Loved Windows is an insight into autism. It's more than just a warm and beautiful story. Parents should read it, but also doctors and professionals working with children (or adults) with special needs. I would recommend it to anyone to wants to learn more about autism, people with special needs or what is like to live with health problems. I do believe this book has some lovely lessons to teach.
This book is written by a women whose son was diagnosed with autism and it traces efforts to help him. Efforts made not only by the child parents, but by others as well (volunteers and medical workers). The book itself was borrowed and recommended to me by a woman of a child diagnosed with autism. As I already mentioned, in my early twenties, I used to volunteer with children who had special needs. I found this book very helpful in many ways. It shows something of what a parent must feel but also what a child must feel in this kind of difficult situation. Not only the child diagnosed with autism, but the sibling as well. This is something that effects the whole family.
Remarkably, the book is so full of life and humour. Situation in which Stacey found herself must have not been easily. Nevertheless, her voice is so candid and often even funny. The book is such an honest and open account about challenges of parenthood and especially about challenges of parenthood of a child that needs special care. There was this episode of her feeling grateful that her daughter had lice because it gave her excuse to spend time with her, cleaning her hair and grooming her, time that was typically devoted to her younger brother. I think that is what many parents of kids with special needs feel at time. They know that the child with special needs requires attending to its needs, and yet every child needs its parent. I'm sure many of them feel at times guilty of not spending enough time with the child that is healthy- and vice versa. If they spend time with the healthy child, they might feel like they're not giving enough to the child with special needs.
Being a parent of a child with special needs can be a very frighting experience. There is the whole logistics of it- a lot of additional pressure and stress. Having a child that suffers must be every parent's worse nightmare. Nobody wants their child to suffer. However, there is hope. I have seen ways in which people come to help one another, acts that make you believe in mankind again. There is always hope. This book is about that too, about hope and human bravery. I would recommended it to all parents. Moreover, I would recommend it to anyone who has suffered or watched their love ones suffer. This book is a beacon of hope. We cannot change the cards we are dealt, but we can make the most with them.
Patricia Stacey is actually a very good writer. I mean this would be a beautiful book even if she wasn't, but the fact that Patricia can write adds another dimension to it. From what I noticed, Patricia has got some definite writing talent. Besides managing to be warm, sincere and funny, she also has a writing style that I like. As I probably already mentioned, this book is both emotional and educating. Speaking of which, this book is not just a story. There is valuable knowledge in The Boy Who Loved Windows. It is a book from which you can learn a lot. The struggle of a mother is at the centre of this story. It is worth mentioning that this struggle has brought remarkable results and we can definitely learn from Patricia's experience. You can find some sound advice in this book, advice for parents, educators or just anyone who wants to be informed. Most people can relate to health problems, and learning how to deal with it is something I believe we can get better at, even if it is often sometimes that might take time. Life being what it is, we have all probably seen someone we love in distress. Educating ourselves about different syndromes, learning how to lean onto one another in times of stress, all this is important as well.
I'm confident that this is still a relevant read. I do not know when exactly this book was published yet even today there is so much about autism that we do not know. Sometimes there is a stigma connected with speaking about health problems or developmental issues, but these things affect us all, and it is something we need to learn how to talk about. The Boy Who Loved Windows is an insight into autism. It's more than just a warm and beautiful story. Parents should read it, but also doctors and professionals working with children (or adults) with special needs. I would recommend it to anyone to wants to learn more about autism, people with special needs or what is like to live with health problems. I do believe this book has some lovely lessons to teach.
July 29, 2008
I worry that parents may read this book and think they can "cure" autism...which, as far as I know, is not possible. It is clear that the Staceys did an incredible amount of work with their son when he was an infant. From her description of floor time, and articles I've read, it seems like an activity that would be beneficial to any infant/toddler. This raises the question of whether there was ever anything "wrong" to begin with, or just developmental delays that would have ironed themselves out anyway. As Stacey points out in the book, once Walker got so much better, it became difficult to prove that he still needed help. And anyone who wasn't directly involved with him during that critical time will never know exactly what his issues were. I finished this book impressed by the parents' hard work but with a weird, skeptical feeling in the back of my mind, like I was being convinced to buy something by a smooth salesperson. Then I immediately felt guilty for feeling this way.
July 26, 2009
A friend's son has Asperger's Syndrome,
a high functioning autism. In addition,
my cousin's son also was diagnosed with
autism. My cousin has been very active
with her son, using what she termed
"floor time" with him and has seen strong
benefits with him, so much that she has
begun speaking to groups about the process.
Patricia Stacey felt something was not
right with her son, Walker, from birth.
She became an advocate for her son,
seeking out treatments and therapies
to help him. Eventually, she came to
use floor time eight times a day with
her son. He made incredible progress;
in fact, some doctors have told Stacey
that perhaps Walker was only pre-autistic,
never really autistic at all! Very
readable. The changes in Walker, at times,
seemed almost unbelievable.
a high functioning autism. In addition,
my cousin's son also was diagnosed with
autism. My cousin has been very active
with her son, using what she termed
"floor time" with him and has seen strong
benefits with him, so much that she has
begun speaking to groups about the process.
Patricia Stacey felt something was not
right with her son, Walker, from birth.
She became an advocate for her son,
seeking out treatments and therapies
to help him. Eventually, she came to
use floor time eight times a day with
her son. He made incredible progress;
in fact, some doctors have told Stacey
that perhaps Walker was only pre-autistic,
never really autistic at all! Very
readable. The changes in Walker, at times,
seemed almost unbelievable.
June 23, 2008
A boy is saved from the isolation of his autism through intensive floortime therapy. Some critics of this story say it is sort of 'Cinderella' and that Walker probably was never on the spectrum to begin with. However, it represents how floortime is a therapeutic model that can be used with all children.
January 6, 2009
I inhaled this book about a year after we adopted our son. It's a fascinating and uplifting story that reads like a novel. It's another one of those books that seems to find a miracle cure for autism, which didn't work out for me, but a great story nonetheless.
April 6, 2007
poorly written. so much potential unlived.
January 4, 2012
This is a book that I will never forget...It's written by a women whose son was diagnosed with autism. The book was borrowed to me (and recommended to me) by a women who has a son diagnosed with autism. I used to volunteer with children who had special needs, and I found this book very helpful in many ways. It shows something of what a parent must feel and also something of what a child must feel in this kind of difficult situation.
Remarkably, the book is so full of life and humour. Situation in which Stacey found herself must have not been easily. Nevertheless, her voice is so candid and often even funny. The book is such an honest and open account about challenges of parenthood and especially about challenges of parenthood of a child that needs special care.
Being a parent of a child with special needs must be a very frighting experience. Having a child that suffers must be every parent's worse nightmare. However, there is hope. I have seen ways in which people come to help one another, acts that make you believe in mankind again...this book is about that too. I would recommended it to parents. Moreover, I would recommend it to anyone who has suffered or watched their love ones suffer. This book is a beacon of hope. We cannot change the cards we are dealt, but we can make the most with them.
P. Stacey is a good writer from what I have noticed. Besides managing to be warm, sincere and funny, she also has a writing style that I like. One more thing- this is not just a story. There is valuable knowledge in this book. It is a book from which you can learn a lot. The struggle of a mother is at the centre of the story and that struggle has brought remarkable results in her case- and advices we can use in our case.
I do not know when this book was published yet even today there is so much about autism that we do not know. Definetly, this book is not dated!It is an insight into autism. It's in many ways more than just a warm and beautiful story. Parents should read it, but also doctors and professionals working with children (or adults) with special needs.
Remarkably, the book is so full of life and humour. Situation in which Stacey found herself must have not been easily. Nevertheless, her voice is so candid and often even funny. The book is such an honest and open account about challenges of parenthood and especially about challenges of parenthood of a child that needs special care.
Being a parent of a child with special needs must be a very frighting experience. Having a child that suffers must be every parent's worse nightmare. However, there is hope. I have seen ways in which people come to help one another, acts that make you believe in mankind again...this book is about that too. I would recommended it to parents. Moreover, I would recommend it to anyone who has suffered or watched their love ones suffer. This book is a beacon of hope. We cannot change the cards we are dealt, but we can make the most with them.
P. Stacey is a good writer from what I have noticed. Besides managing to be warm, sincere and funny, she also has a writing style that I like. One more thing- this is not just a story. There is valuable knowledge in this book. It is a book from which you can learn a lot. The struggle of a mother is at the centre of the story and that struggle has brought remarkable results in her case- and advices we can use in our case.
I do not know when this book was published yet even today there is so much about autism that we do not know. Definetly, this book is not dated!It is an insight into autism. It's in many ways more than just a warm and beautiful story. Parents should read it, but also doctors and professionals working with children (or adults) with special needs.
February 23, 2009
I enjoyed this one. It provides wonderful insight into autism, and what it is like for families raising autistic children. This book also provides a wonderful and easily accessible introduction to Greenspan's DIR approach to working with autism, specifically through the 'floor-time' approach (which I find far superior to only using behavioral approaches such as ABA as therapeutic intervention). I realize that all sounds quite technical. The book is not... it is a very down to earth easy read. I definitely recommend it, especially for anyone who is interested in understanding more about autistic children.
June 10, 2010
As a pediatric physical therapist, this book touched on a topic very near and dear to my heart - sensory processing dysfunction and autism spectrum disorders. I found myself comparing my own treatment with those therapists in the book... what would I do if presented with the same kid? Insightful story from the view point of a mother obsessed with curing her son, and those who helped him along the way. Although I feel like the mother lacked a sense of balance much of the time (I can't believe the marriage survived the treatment!), I can't fault her for the decisions she made, given the outcome. I will be recommending it to the families I work with.
October 18, 2012
As the parent of a child on the autistic spectrum myself I rarely pass on the opportunity to read about another parent's experiences. The Boy Who Loved Windows is a well written journey through one family's experience, particularly in respect to the use of the "floor time" model of treatment. The challenges faced are well explained and while I personally think that the ways to successfully ameliorate the incredible number of ways ASD manifests are as numerous as the way it is manifested, this story of success was touching.
September 2, 2014
As a memoir of one family's experience with autism, this book shared the passion with which mothers fight for their children. Author Patricia Stacey stopped at nothing to find the answers and help her son needed.
I appreciated reading about her journey. While the book read a bit slow, I valued the book's detailed descriptions of both effective and ineffective therapies as well as the relationships between the therapists and family.
If you're interested in autism, child development or family dynamics, I recommend this book.
I appreciated reading about her journey. While the book read a bit slow, I valued the book's detailed descriptions of both effective and ineffective therapies as well as the relationships between the therapists and family.
If you're interested in autism, child development or family dynamics, I recommend this book.
September 3, 2011
I admit to starting to skim halfway through this book. I found the research boring and repetitive, and being someone who works with children who have autism, it was frustrating to read the outdated information (since the Stacey's son was diagnosed in the late 1990s). I felt like there were inconsistencies in the book as well, and I honestly feel like the word "autism" should not have been included in the title. Personally just did not care for it at all.
September 19, 2011
I loved this book. I couldn't imagine living out my daily life as she did. Not only is she a dedicated mother and went through extreme hardship, she is also a great author. She went into much detail about what went on with her son's therapies and I was actually able to learn a few things. She also brought up issues that I want to further research. This fascinating and devout woman deserves a pat on the back, high five, thumbs up.. Even a hug!
March 30, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. It‘s a memoir of a mother who fights for her son‘s well-being. As a baby, the boy shows signs of autism, at some point receives a diagnosis but then manages to escape the isolating path of autism. It takes a lot of time, effort, frustration, perseverance and love in order to overcome barriers and to support the boy in his development. It was utterly fascinating but at times also heart-breaking to read. What a feat!
October 24, 2009
As a psychology person--but even more, as a person fascinated by other people and relationships--I really enjoyed this book. Stacey writes in a very personable manner, which allows the reader to play an active role in a story to which s/he might have very little to relate. I not only learned a great deal about autism itself, but about humanity and relationships and culture. A wonderful read.
March 10, 2018
A story of love, perseverance and hope. I retained this book in my personal library it was so motivating and touching. There is a family whose 2 1/2 year old has just been diagnosed on the spectrum and so the book is leaving my home for theirs. May it bring them confidence to go forth and do what must be done for their son.
February 26, 2008
I read this book while doing research for my graduate degree. It explains what a family, particularly the mother, of a little boy who appears to have the signs of an autism spectrum disorder, goes through.
July 27, 2009
i am really into this book!! it is about a couple whose second child is born with a condition that they will eventually find out is autism. the mother wrote the book and is very candid in her feelings and concerns
December 17, 2011
Amazing read about parents trying to reach a son with autism. I don't know enough to know which techniques are right, etc., but it was amazing to see the lengths to which they'd go in order to reach him.
April 5, 2007
Easy to read mother's account of raising a boy with autism in a time before it was "mainstream". Very good!
July 19, 2007
I didnt really like this book it was quiet boring. Was very repetitive. It took me along time to get through it becasue I would get bored quiet easily.
October 24, 2008
Interesting...Introduced me to the many, many forms of therapeutic interventions that exist for treating Autism.
May 6, 2011
I liked reading about how she worked with Walker as a baby and about Dr. Lavaas and ABA therapy. Hearing Walkers goals and milestones was also a helpful part of the book.
January 9, 2022
It was a good read and help me to get in touch with my new major
Read
July 12, 2008It's hard, going into a new memoir about autism, what to expect. We're looking for someone to connect to and commiserate with, new ideas, and possibly a magical solution we've somehow not come across yet.
This is definitely a great book in terms of child development & child psychology, and sensory integration dysfunction. This book doesn't broadly apply to all autistic children, although there is a lot of information that is useful regarding issues that involve autism -- especially the several different kinds of treatments that are discussed, which is a good starting point for finding out more.
Walker's development from the start is completely unique, and doesn't necessarily point to autism as traditionally understood. I think it's a very small percentage of children who end up being diagnosed as autistic who, from the start, can not function as a typical baby -- as opposed to basically laying there like a sack of potatoes, as Walker did. (Many readers question if he was ever truly autistic, or just had autistic-like characteristics caused by other reasons.) He was non-responsive as an infant, had next to no muscle tone, and basically failure to thrive because his body wasn't absorbing nutrients. The family does eventually find out that he has severe allergies and GI problems in addition to his severe sensory issues, which was probably the main cause of a lot of his problems.
The best part about this book is the family's interaction with Dr. Stanley Greenspan, and the in-depth examples of what Floortime and the DIR model look like in action.
Patricia is a great writer and communicator. Her writing is conversational and intelligent. And I hate to put a "but" in here.
But.
Her story of how they saved Walker from his problems probably doesn't have much to offer parents of children who are newly diagnosed with autism, in terms of guidance of what to do next. Walker's problems were unique to him, as were the solutions -- and she is unique in regards to the amount of services she received for Walker. But it's a good story -- I got teary-eyed AND goose-bumped several times, and I was definitely rooting for the whole family. I think Patricia presents a story to be inspired by, but not a roadmap to follow.
This is definitely a great book in terms of child development & child psychology, and sensory integration dysfunction. This book doesn't broadly apply to all autistic children, although there is a lot of information that is useful regarding issues that involve autism -- especially the several different kinds of treatments that are discussed, which is a good starting point for finding out more.
Walker's development from the start is completely unique, and doesn't necessarily point to autism as traditionally understood. I think it's a very small percentage of children who end up being diagnosed as autistic who, from the start, can not function as a typical baby -- as opposed to basically laying there like a sack of potatoes, as Walker did. (Many readers question if he was ever truly autistic, or just had autistic-like characteristics caused by other reasons.) He was non-responsive as an infant, had next to no muscle tone, and basically failure to thrive because his body wasn't absorbing nutrients. The family does eventually find out that he has severe allergies and GI problems in addition to his severe sensory issues, which was probably the main cause of a lot of his problems.
The best part about this book is the family's interaction with Dr. Stanley Greenspan, and the in-depth examples of what Floortime and the DIR model look like in action.
Patricia is a great writer and communicator. Her writing is conversational and intelligent. And I hate to put a "but" in here.
But.
Her story of how they saved Walker from his problems probably doesn't have much to offer parents of children who are newly diagnosed with autism, in terms of guidance of what to do next. Walker's problems were unique to him, as were the solutions -- and she is unique in regards to the amount of services she received for Walker. But it's a good story -- I got teary-eyed AND goose-bumped several times, and I was definitely rooting for the whole family. I think Patricia presents a story to be inspired by, but not a roadmap to follow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2016
I was disappointed with the book. The book's title is misleading. The child in the book was never diagnosed as having autism and doesn't seem autistic to me. He definitely has some sensory integration problems. He is hypersensitive. Children who have autism have sensory problems but not all children with sensory issues have autism. Walker, the little boy at the heart of this story, is pointing by the age of 1. By three he's asking questions and conversing a storm. He loves to pretend play. He is social. That isn't what an autistic child is like. I think the author should have called this book something else. "Opening the Heart and Mind of a Child Threatened with Sensory Problems."
It would also have been good if the author had provided references (books, phone numbers, etc.) for the material she used with her son. Floortime, which I'm familiar with, is mentioned but a parent would have to do all the research on their own to find out more even though the author has regular conversations with the creator of Floortime therapy, Stanley Greenspan.
It would also have been good if the author had provided references (books, phone numbers, etc.) for the material she used with her son. Floortime, which I'm familiar with, is mentioned but a parent would have to do all the research on their own to find out more even though the author has regular conversations with the creator of Floortime therapy, Stanley Greenspan.
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July 27, 2008I am not rating this book since I have to admit to not reading it entirely. I started the book and for some reason am turned off by it. Perhaps it's because I feel that the writer is too over-dramatic, or that I don't agree with her personal beliefs (in which I believe that every person is born with a divine purpose, a special spirit, God makes no mistakes, and that everyone has a soul.) For me mental retardation, developmental delays, etc. etc. are God's ways of protecting that person from the evils of this world, they are quite literally angels sent here to live among us and it's our privelege to take care of them). Perhaps she comes around to share some of those beliefs later in the book, but I am too impatient to wait for it.
Perhaps I will give it another shot if I hear of people who liked it in the end. Let me know if you have read it and what your thoughts were..
Perhaps I will give it another shot if I hear of people who liked it in the end. Let me know if you have read it and what your thoughts were..
October 28, 2007
Interesting read about autism. It's a mother's account of what she went through but you learn a lot along the way.
January 29, 2008
Great insight on Autism
July 2, 2008
Now this is a better book about autism!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews