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Rating: 
Summary: Breaking down the complexity of autism
Review: Lisa Blakemore-Brown has managed to break down some of the mysticism that is
autism and it's related disorders. She does this by likening the different
problems each child faces as being a strand of thread which combines with
others to create the beautiful, uniquely original and immensely complex
beings that are autistic spectrum disorder children in a tapestry of both
abilities and disabilities.This book goes a long way to explaining why ASD children are the way they
are and also why it is so difficult to diagnose them. The reason for this
metaphor is to remind us that autistic spectrum children - even the most
high functioning ADHD and Asperger's - can be very difficult and frustrating
to manage at times. By alluding to their behaviour as being woven into a
tapestry, it serves as a reminder to those who care for such children that
with the pain of their care can come great delight also if we are aware of
why they behave the way they do. This is a touching and very powerful book which every ASD parent must read. Skilfully blending scientific fact with true life examples and artistic
reference, Lisa Blakemore-Brown has managed to create a book that is both
informative and comforting. Not just an examination of her theory of "weaving the tapestry" however,
this book also is one of the best reference resources for early diagnostic
criteria. This a must for any parent who suspects their child has a
problem, or even for those who have a diagnosis but which the parents
suspect is not quite accurate to cover all their child's difficulties. It
also examines the latest interventions and treatments for all forms of ASD -
from ABA and behavioural techniques to diet and medication. Your child needs you to read this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Superb book, but the editing!
Review: Reweaving The Autistic Tapestry by Lisa Blakemore-Brown, aside from droning on too long (too much information--too many words), working the tapestry metaphor until i could SCREAM, and using the lyrics to "Groovy Kind of Love" (rather tacky) to illustrate one of the author's points, is excellent. Hmmm... Too much information.
Too many words.
Perseveration.
Lack of social awareness. Now I can see WHY she gets it. It takes one to know one. The author definitely knows whereof she speaks, as do I. This is the first cogent work I've seen on the subject of
AD(H)D and Autistic Spectrum Disorders; head and shoulders above The ADHD-Autism Connection, which contains not one original thought, and has only platitudes to offer, when what is called for is insight. Reweaving the Autistic Tapestry is accessible to laymen, but detailed and sufficiently technical to be of value to professionals who work with people on the Autistic Spectrum and the ADD Spectrum. Blakemore-Brown, while not completely eschewing the DSM, does make clear that it is not to be taken literally, and that the kinds of diagnoses she discusses are, of necessity, rooted in subjectivity. The author is so realistic as to consider myriad other possible comorbid disorders in the case histories she discusses. Highly recommended, but the editor deserves twenty lashes with a wet noodle.
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