Eating an Artichoke: A Mother's Perspective on Asperger Syndrome

by Echo R. Fling

During a routine parent-teacher conference in November 1991, Echo Fling was told by her son's teacher that his behaviour in class was `not normal'. After two years at the pre-school, five-year-old Jimmy had failed to make any friends, had recently started to act aggressively towards his classmates, and was beginning to react violently to any changes in his routine. Echo was not taken completely by she had suspected for some time that her son was different from other children. Over the next five years, she and her husband accompanied Jimmy to doctors, medical specialists, learning consultants and psychologists. Finally, at the age of ten, Jimmy was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. This is the book that Echo Fling needed when she first set out to have Jimmy diagnosed, and it will enable parents and teachers to understand and help other children with Asperger Syndrome.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction, Parenting, Autobiography, Adult, Aspergers

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2000

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

02/12: Revisiting this one. Initially read way back in the day.

Amazon Book Description:
During a routine parent-teacher conference in November 1991, Echo Fling was told by her son's teacher that his behaviour in class was 'not normal'. After two years at the pre-school, five-year-old Jimmy had failed to make any friends, had recently started to act aggressively towards his classmates, and was beginning to react violently to any changes in his routine.

Echo was not taken completely by surprise: she had suspected for some time that her son was different from other children. Over the next five years, she and her husband accompanied Jimmy to doctors, medical specialists, learning consultants and psychologists. Finally, at the age of ten, Jimmy was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.
This is the book that Echo Fling needed when she first set out to have Jimmy diagnosed, and it will enable parents and teachers to understand and help other children with Asperger Syndrome.

[Jen Boyack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting account of a mother's struggle to get an accurate diagnosis and support for her son. Helped me to understand what life with a child who has high-functioning autism might be like. Especially helpful for parents and educators.

[Kitty McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest and educating book on having an Asperger's son from a mother's perspective. Worth reading

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was pretty interesting. It's not as much about Asperger Syndrome as it is about being a mom dealing with the "medical merry-go-round," schools, and trying to do your best for your children. Many of the feelings and struggles she describes are the same I have as a mother, and I don't have a disabled child.
And I did learn some things about Asperger Syndrome that I hadn't known before, so that was interesting too.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting and well written memoir about a Mother's journey to find out why her son was so offbeat. After years and years of doctors and debates, they finally received a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, which enhanced her understanding of her son, but also rocked her world because it's not anything that can be "cured". Lots to take away from this memoir, and I enjoyed reading the mention of West Michigan's own Gray Center.

[Belinda jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am really loving this book so far. Having a son who has also been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome i find it to be so insightful in its content.. i felt like it was looking back on our own story in a lot of ways. Definately a book for people who know someone with Aspergers..definately helps a lot in understanding what the family is going through.

[Rebekah M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not the AS that I fear. It's the public eye, finding the right learning environments, and learning to cope with the disability. I began to love Jimmy while reading this; what a brave and tender soul he has. I love that his mother followed her gut and did ALL she could for him, even when she felt alone. She is living a life of sacrifice and reaching out to others with similar situations.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and interesting. I picked this one up off of the dump cart on afternoon and kind of got sucked in. I don't really know anyone with Asperger's but I suppose if I ever do, I'll know how to behave around them now.

[Jobiska (Cindy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good...somehow, having a kid with some interesting NVLD quirks but not exactly Asperger's, it often helps me *more* to read other's anecdotal tales of coping than it does to read dry textbook approaches, no matter how scientific!

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mother weaves her son's story of his behavior, misdiagnoses, special programs, and ultimately diagnosis of Asperger's. Truly insightful and helpful to anyone who might want to better understand or work with an Asperger's child or adult.

[Georgia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A parents first hand account of recognizing and raising a child with autism. A sensitive and insightful read; we come to understand what the mother, and family, must endure from health care professionals and society, and grow along with them.

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

One mom's stories about raising her special-needs child. Nicely written, compassionate and supportive read for anyone with an Aspie in their life.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally and completely relatable.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

You read books like this searching for answers. I'm not sure I found any, but I'm glad Mrs. Fling shared her family's experience.

[Susan Duggins]

First book I ever checked out from the library when Jessika was diagnosed with autism. Great light read for new moms of children diagnosed on the ASD.