Rating: 
Summary: From an autistic spectrum reader...
Review: If her son was transformed from a life-path on his way to becoming a low-functioning, sit-in-the-corner-and-rock autistic (classical Kanner's autism), then I'm very happy for the mother and the boy.But to characterize this as a "cure" is beyond nonsensical. People are on the autistic spectrum because our brains are built and wired differently from those of a neurotypical (NT, or non-autistic). Many of these differences are found from birth, meaning that they are developmental differences that begin in the womb. These are not things that are going to be changed by vitamins, minerals, chelation, or "intervention", no matter how many quacks try to convince parents otherwise. THERE IS NOT A "NORMAL" PERSON INSIDE ME TRYING TO GET FREE. Thank you, I like the way I am, and autism is an essential part of my personality. We can, and do, live fulfilling lives without being forced to become normal. Temple Grandin and Steven Shore are probably two of the most famous autistic professionals. With such early intervention, hopefully the boy's social behavior is less robotic than the poor creatures I've seen put through much of the training now available in schools. To paraphrase what a friend of mine has said, if you train a cat to wag its tail when happy and fetch slippers, it does not become a dog. It is merely a trained cat, and people WILL NOTICE. The best evidence so far is that body language is perceived and returned by a part of the prefrontal lobe that is frequently smaller than that of an NT, or is found on the functional MRI to be almost non-functional. When we are "trained" to read as much body language as we can (a very unreliable process) it takes CONCIOUS thought. Our reading, and response, are thus noticeably slower and more wooden than that of our "normal" counterparts. I hate to disappoint the DAN/CAN crowd who I'm sure adore this book, but the boy isn't cured. He's probably found out that if he rocks or otherwise acts like HE NEEDS TO, then he'll be punished. He can't act like who he is and be LOVED. This is a boy who is likely to grow up just as depressed and feeling just as rejected as most of us. For a far more realistic view of what can be achieved, please visit the page of a friend of mine who is also on the autistic spectrum [website]. I've known Frank for over a year (and I agree with him that he is likely HFA, though due to the late diagnosis he is considered "Asperger's" by many). I particularly suggest one read about breaking through and helping normalize the sensory information that an autistic child is receiving. The mental retardation associated with Kanner's is likely due to the fact that the sensory stimulation is overwhelming and the neurons in the developing brain are making random paths in chaos - a process that only continues for the first couple years of life. This is something that CAN be changed, and this is likely what the mother and her assistants did - IF the boy was even on the spectrum to begin with.
Rating: 
Summary: A mother's heart
Review: Pat Stacey has written a beautiful book about her very personal experience with her son. That Walker is threatened by autism is almost incidental to the powerful prose that comes forth from Stacey as if it were air. This is a story that any parent can relate to, the obsession of being the mother of a child.
The experiences of this family as they explore alternative therapies and exhaust their finances are things we all must do to survive in extraordinary circumstances. As overwhelmed as Pat, Cliff, Elizabeth, and tiny Walker were, they showed themselves to be heroes in an emotional battle.
This book must be read. Patricia Stacey is an artist.
Rating:
Summary: Passionate and Personal
Review: Patricia Stacey has opened up her heart and soul to share her family's experience first realizing and then regenerating the life of a child with special needs; symptoms, but no name to call this list of incongruities. So where do you start? Ms. Stacey touches the emotional buttons we all possess as human beings; whether a parent or professional. She takes us through a journey that is at times full of hope, but also webbed in bureaucratic mish mosh, medical despair and blame as well as professional and personal hope, vision and efforts unbeknown to most. This book is truly a testimony to motherhood, family and prowess.
Rating: 
Summary: buyer beware
Review: Readers of this book please keep in mind this is from a parents perspective. There is no "cure" for autism. Therapies do offer children ways to cope. There are many statements in this book which are not accurate so consult with your doctor or autism specailist.
Rating:
Summary: buyer beware
Review: The Boy Who Loved Windows engages the reader at every level - as a personal memoir, a family chronicle, a medical narrative, and a philosophical meditation. Like a master photographer, Patricia Stacey moves confidently among these genres, zooming in until we feel ourselves inhabiting the same space as Walker and his family, then pulling back to give a panoramic view of the medical research and philosophical questions underpinning the diagnosis and treatment of autism. Stacey's "voice" rings with such clarity, curiosity and compassion that it brings to mind the wonderful work of Oliver Sacks, the renown neurologist, professor, and author of The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and An Anthropologist on Mars. Like Sacks, Stacey honors what is unique to each individual while extracting what is universal about all of us. By so vividly imagining herself inside Walker's autistic body and mind, she enlarges our understanding of what being human is essentially about. No matter what disease, disorder, defect or disability may befall us - early in life or later on - we all strive for greater self-awareness even as we reach out to the world around us. If you approach this book with an expansive mind, it will reward you with fresh insights and intuitive leaps. In my case, I was struck by the author's description of Greenspan's presentation of floor time as a "philosophy of moments." This is the essence of the practice of mindfulness - being open to an awareness of the moment. It occurred to me that floor time is to a child with autism spectrum disorder what the practice of mindfulness is to an adult with an acutely sensitive nervous system. Whether child or adult, many individuals have nervous systems that often cause them to feel overwhelmed by the world and stymied on their path to self-discovery. For them, the practice of mindfulness leads to a relaxed state of attentiveness to both the inner world of thoughts and feelings and the outer world of actions and perceptions. Like floor time, mindful engagement not only increases connection with words and objects, but also increases connection with people. Along with a focus on moments, the themes of joyful learning and empathy building are prominent in both floor time and mindfulness. Stacey puts it beautifully when she writes that floor time is "about two things, about building tolerance and about building humanity." I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has come to understand him/herself (or a family member) as having a highly sensitive nervous system. Whether you've come to this realization through an experience with autism spectrum disorder, developmental language disorder (like dyslexia), attention deficit disorder, or affective spectrum disorder (like migraine, obsessive-compulsive or panic disorder), this book will enlarge your understanding of that experience. As Stacey observes near the end of the book, our culture has long neglected the development of highly individualized nervous systems. Through the introduction of floor time, she writes, Greenspan has taught us "that playing to the nervous system of a loved one is a matter of being mindful and watchful." There is no known cure or quick fix for autism or any of the other spectrum disorders that have a significant sensory processing dysfunction. Contrary to what a previous reviewer writes, Stacey never claims there is cure for autism. A close reading of the book shows clearly that Stacey herself questions the use of the word "cure" in relation to autism as she struggles to better understand what differentiates autism "that is treatable from autism that isn't." Through her extensive social science research and her deep philosophical questioning, Stacey tries to bring some clarity to the medical nomenclature of diagnosis and treatment and she courageously approaches the essential mind/body problem that continues to divide psychologists and philosophers around the nature of Self and Other; Perception and Language; and Emotions, Behavior, and Cognition. What Stacey conveys so beautifully in the telling of Walker's story is stunningly simple and resoundingly true - we all want to feel at home in the world.
Rating:
Summary: Book Deserves Ten Stars!!!
Review: The Boy Who Loved Windows engages the reader at every level - as a personal memoir, a family chronicle, a medical narrative, and a philosophical meditation. Like a master photographer, Patricia Stacey moves confidently among these genres, zooming in until we feel ourselves inhabiting the same space as Walker and his family, then pulling back to give a panoramic view of the medical research and philosophical questions underpinning the diagnosis and treatment of autism. Stacey's "voice" rings with such clarity, curiosity and compassion that it brings to mind the wonderful work of Oliver Sacks, the renown neurologist, professor, and author of The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and An Anthropologist on Mars. Like Sacks, Stacey honors what is unique to each individual while extracting what is universal about all of us. By so vividly imagining herself inside Walker's autistic body and mind, she enlarges our understanding of what being human is essentially about. No matter what disease, disorder, defect or disability may befall us - early in life or later on - we all strive for greater self-awareness even as we reach out to the world around us. If you approach this book with an expansive mind, it will reward you with fresh insights and intuitive leaps. In my case, I was struck by the author's description of Greenspan's presentation of floor time as a "philosophy of moments." This is the essence of the practice of mindfulness - being open to an awareness of the moment. It occurred to me that floor time is to a child with autism spectrum disorder what the practice of mindfulness is to an adult with an acutely sensitive nervous system. Whether child or adult, many individuals have nervous systems that often cause them to feel overwhelmed by the world and stymied on their path to self-discovery. For them, the practice of mindfulness leads to a relaxed state of attentiveness to both the inner world of thoughts and feelings and the outer world of actions and perceptions. Like floor time, mindful engagement not only increases connection with words and objects, but also increases connection with people. Along with a focus on moments, the themes of joyful learning and empathy building are prominent in both floor time and mindfulness. Stacey puts it beautifully when she writes that floor time is "about two things, about building tolerance and about building humanity." I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has come to understand him/herself (or a family member) as having a highly sensitive nervous system. Whether you've come to this realization through an experience with autism spectrum disorder, developmental language disorder (like dyslexia), attention deficit disorder, or affective spectrum disorder (like migraine, obsessive-compulsive or panic disorder), this book will enlarge your understanding of that experience. As Stacey observes near the end of the book, our culture has long neglected the development of highly individualized nervous systems. Through the introduction of floor time, she writes, Greenspan has taught us "that playing to the nervous system of a loved one is a matter of being mindful and watchful." There is no known cure or quick fix for autism or any of the other spectrum disorders that have a significant sensory processing dysfunction. Contrary to what a previous reviewer writes, Stacey never claims there is cure for autism. A close reading of the book shows clearly that Stacey herself questions the use of the word "cure" in relation to autism as she struggles to better understand what differentiates autism "that is treatable from autism that isn't." Through her extensive social science research and her deep philosophical questioning, Stacey tries to bring some clarity to the medical nomenclature of diagnosis and treatment and she courageously approaches the essential mind/body problem that continues to divide psychologists and philosophers around the nature of Self and Other; Perception and Language; and Emotions, Behavior, and Cognition. What Stacey conveys so beautifully in the telling of Walker's story is stunningly simple and resoundingly true - we all want to feel at home in the world.
Rating:
Summary: A Compelling Read
Review: The Boy Who Loved Windows is beautifully written, informative, educational, inspiring and moving. It explains the world of a child with sensory integration problems better than anything I have ever read, as well as the link between sensory integration and autism spectrum disorders. All of this information is delivered through the compelling story of a boy threatened by autism and how his family helped him ultimately escape that threat. The book not only offers great insight to other families who might benefit from the Floortime method, it is also a story worth reading in its own right. A book any parent would enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: The Boy Who Loved Windows
Review: The Boy Who Loved Windows: Opening the Heart and Mind of a Child Threatened With Autism by Patricia Stacey is a wonderfully rich, poignant book that is compelling and beautifully written. As a clinician working with children and families on the autistic spectrum I have come to know and work with many children and their families. This book gives a clear picture describing the components that make up the autism spectrum and gives hope to all of those who are diagnosed. Ms. Stacey describes what happened with her own son and family in beautiful prose while giving clear, practical information on how to help and work with all children. We need to follow their lead, encourage them to be engaged with us and help them to grow using the developmental model. The method that Ms. Stacey chose to use with her son (Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship Based) helped him to engage, attend and enjoy relationships and the world around him. I find that this book is many things. It is mostly about possibility for change and growth. When a child is diagnosed with having an autism spectrum disorder it affects the whole family system. The hopelessness and despair that parents feel upon having their fears confirmed can be, and often is devastating. In many areas of the country older intervention methods are relied upon and people are not aware that newer methodologies exist-let alone work. Ms. Stacey gives her readers many gifts in her book. She gives clear information on Sensory Integration, Autism Spectrum Disorders, courage and hope. This book is a must read for parents, family, friends and professionals. Whether you know someone on the spectrum or not, you will gain a new level of understanding on what it is like to live the life of a parent of a child with autism, what a child with autism means to the family and community and that there are wonderful new interventions available to help the child (or adult) to change and grow in a positive way. Ms. Stacey's book is not about shunning the autism community or those on the autism spectrum. Stanley Greenspan, M.D., puts it beautifully when he talks about working with those with communication and learning disorders-"redefining potential". It is about giving hope and help and that there is potential for each child on the spectrum-and that each of us can do better, can climb the developmental ladder and be more comfortable within ourselves, in the world and with one another. This is the message that comes through in the book and it is an amazing gift to readers.
Rating:
Summary: The Boy Who Loved Windows
Review: The Boy Who Loved Windows: Opening the Heart and Mind of a Child Threatened With Autism by Patricia Stacey is a wonderfully rich, poignant book that is compelling and beautifully written. As a clinician working with children and families on the autistic spectrum I have come to know and work with many children and their families. This book gives a clear picture describing the components that make up the autism spectrum and gives hope to all of those who are diagnosed. Ms. Stacey describes what happened with her own son and family in beautiful prose while giving clear, practical information on how to help and work with all children. We need to follow their lead, encourage them to be engaged with us and help them to grow using the developmental model. The method that Ms. Stacey chose to use with her son (Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship Based) helped him to engage, attend and enjoy relationships and the world around him. I find that this book is many things. It is mostly about possibility for change and growth. When a child is diagnosed with having an autism spectrum disorder it affects the whole family system. The hopelessness and despair that parents feel upon having their fears confirmed can be, and often is devastating. In many areas of the country older intervention methods are relied upon and people are not aware that newer methodologies exist-let alone work. Ms. Stacey gives her readers many gifts in her book. She gives clear information on Sensory Integration, Autism Spectrum Disorders, courage and hope. This book is a must read for parents, family, friends and professionals. Whether you know someone on the spectrum or not, you will gain a new level of understanding on what it is like to live the life of a parent of a child with autism, what a child with autism means to the family and community and that there are wonderful new interventions available to help the child (or adult) to change and grow in a positive way. Ms. Stacey's book is not about shunning the autism community or those on the autism spectrum. Stanley Greenspan, M.D., puts it beautifully when he talks about working with those with communication and learning disorders-"redefining potential". It is about giving hope and help and that there is potential for each child on the spectrum-and that each of us can do better, can climb the developmental ladder and be more comfortable within ourselves, in the world and with one another. This is the message that comes through in the book and it is an amazing gift to readers.
Rating:
Summary: Useful and a great read!
Review: This book is fascinating. One of the reasons I originally checked it out was to learn more about what kinds of therapies work with children struggling with sensory integration disorder (I'm pursuing a degree in education), and I did learn a lot. In fact, for anyone--parents, teachers, ANYONE--who wants to see up close what goes into doing intensive and effective therapy this is your book. However, I was happily surprised to find that the book is also just a great story. I couldn't put it down. And, as if that weren't enough, and what really makes this book exceptional, is that the information the author presents--and she does this seamlessly--about how the brain works in tandem with the body to inform our connection to the world is, well, fascinating. I found myself riveted to both the story and the ideas. I would go so far as to say that anyone, not just those who want to learn about autism or sensory integration issues, who wants to learn more about our brains and ourselves would find this book interesting.
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