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Summary: FINDING BEN
Review: "FINDING BEN" is a loving gift to all mothers and fathers, as well as to all professionals who will read it and greatly benefit from the experience.
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Summary: A story that's loving, sad, and raw, and has a happy ending
Review: Anyone who has expectations of how "it should be"can Identify with Barbara's extraordinary journey and lessons. It need not be about Aspergers. I believe now I can give up my expectations and love what is , not what I wish it to be, as this wonderful writer has done.
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Summary: Just too depressing
Review: As a book on its own this is a fantastic and emotional story and therefore a great read. However, I would not recommend it to anyone who is bringing up a yound child with Asperger Syndrome as it is just so depressing. I truely feel for the family but it really is an extreme case and as such is likely to frighten rather that help.
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Summary: A moving story of a mother's love and search for acceptance
Review: Barbara LaSalle and Benjamin Levinson write an honest and compelling story of their search for understanding. What makes Ben so brilliant and yet unable to communicate his true feelings, emotions and thoughts?Finding Ben is an indredibly honest portrayal of one mother's journey to help forge a loving, honest and wonderful relationship with a boy she may never truly know. Ben's insight into his personal struggles to overcome unsurmountable obstacles reminds us all of the power of love, understanding and forgiveness. You will never forget Ben and Barbara and their amazing journey in search of Finding Ben. Don't miss this book. It's message reaches far beyond those who have family members with autistic/Asperger's Syndrome. It touches us all and makes us think of how we relate to ourselves, each other and the world around us.
Rating:
Summary: A moving story of a mother's love and search for acceptance
Review: Barbara LaSalle and Benjamin Levinson write an honest and compelling story of their search for understanding. What makes Ben so brilliant and yet unable to communicate his true feelings, emotions and thoughts? Finding Ben is an indredibly honest portrayal of one mother's journey to help forge a loving, honest and wonderful relationship with a boy she may never truly know. Ben's insight into his personal struggles to overcome unsurmountable obstacles reminds us all of the power of love, understanding and forgiveness. You will never forget Ben and Barbara and their amazing journey in search of Finding Ben. Don't miss this book. It's message reaches far beyond those who have family members with autistic/Asperger's Syndrome. It touches us all and makes us think of how we relate to ourselves, each other and the world around us.
Rating:
Summary: Finding Ben: A Mother's Journey Through the Maze of Asperger
Review: Barbara LaSalle's book, "Finding Ben," is one that should be read by anyone who is dealing with pain in their lives which involves another person. It is the most courageous and honest story I've ever read. The author reaches deep into her soul and exposes both her own secrets and those of her son. And then finds a way out of the pain into love. It's a story of how one person can create a bridge to change through changing themselves - and begin to truly see and understand another person. In this world of blame - both personally and nationally - Mrs. LaSalle brings hope for reconcialation - the power of self-knowledge and of personal change. She has given us a great gift - the truth of her own experience and her deep courage.
Rating:
Summary: Finding Ben: A Mother's Journey Through the Maze of Asperger
Review: Barbara LaSalle's book, "Finding Ben," is one that should be read by anyone who is dealing with pain in their lives which involves another person. It is the most courageous and honest story I've ever read. The author reaches deep into her soul and exposes both her own secrets and those of her son. And then finds a way out of the pain into love. It's a story of how one person can create a bridge to change through changing themselves - and begin to truly see and understand another person. In this world of blame - both personally and nationally - Mrs. LaSalle brings hope for reconcialation - the power of self-knowledge and of personal change. She has given us a great gift - the truth of her own experience and her deep courage.
Rating:
Summary: A mother is baffled by her unusual child.
Review: Barbara LaSalle's honest and painfully graphic book, "Finding Ben," hits you between the eyes with its depiction of a family in turmoil. Barbara's son, Ben, seems to be a gifted child, perhaps even a genius. From an early age his reading ability is astounding. He speaks like a little adult. Ben's recall of specific knowledge is incredible and he can mimic any commercial that he hears on television or on the radio word for word. In spite of his remarkable intellectual prowess, Ben has some very serious problems. He is unable to make friends. He is uncoordinated and hopeless at sports or any other kind of physical activity. He feels like a freak and his peers treat him like one. Barbara and her husband make every effort to get help for Ben. They go from one specialist to another and they hire various therapists to work with Ben, but he does not get any better. Will Ben's parents ever find out what is wrong with him and can he ever be like other kids? LaSalle is perfectly frank about what she considers to be her shortcomings as a mother. Although it is obvious that she cares very much for Ben, for a long time she is unable to accept him as he is. LaSalle blames herself for not being a model of patience and tolerance. She also effectively depicts the emotional strain that having a special needs child places on a marriage. "Finding Ben" is for all parents of physically and emotionally challenged children and for anyone who wants to know what it is like to live with such a child. LaSalle's book is also a cautionary tale, warning parents that even people with fancy degrees and titles after their names can misdiagnose a patient. Never stop being an advocate for your child, warns LaSalle, since you are his greatest champion. "Finding Ben" is a poignant, informative, funny, tragic and hopeful book.
Rating:
Summary: A mother is baffled by her unusual child.
Review: Barbara LaSalle's honest and painfully graphic book, "Finding Ben," hits you between the eyes with its depiction of a family in turmoil. Barbara's son, Ben, seems to be a gifted child, perhaps even a genius. From an early age his reading ability is astounding. He speaks like a little adult. Ben's recall of specific knowledge is incredible and he can mimic any commercial that he hears on television or on the radio word for word. In spite of his remarkable intellectual prowess, Ben has some very serious problems. He is unable to make friends. He is uncoordinated and hopeless at sports or any other kind of physical activity. He feels like a freak and his peers treat him like one. Barbara and her husband make every effort to get help for Ben. They go from one specialist to another and they hire various therapists to work with Ben, but he does not get any better. Will Ben's parents ever find out what is wrong with him and can he ever be like other kids? LaSalle is perfectly frank about what she considers to be her shortcomings as a mother. Although it is obvious that she cares very much for Ben, for a long time she is unable to accept him as he is. LaSalle blames herself for not being a model of patience and tolerance. She also effectively depicts the emotional strain that having a special needs child places on a marriage. "Finding Ben" is for all parents of physically and emotionally challenged children and for anyone who wants to know what it is like to live with such a child. LaSalle's book is also a cautionary tale, warning parents that even people with fancy degrees and titles after their names can misdiagnose a patient. Never stop being an advocate for your child, warns LaSalle, since you are his greatest champion. "Finding Ben" is a poignant, informative, funny, tragic and hopeful book.
Rating:
Summary: FINDING BEN
Review: FINDING BEN is intellectually and emotionally devastating reading for all parents who have raised a challenged child for whatever reason. Barbara Lasalle has put into the written word what all such parents think and feel; a sense of guilt,
frustration, heartbreak, sleepless nights, marriage under stress and most of all, the long journey to finally reaching acceptance.
What this author has done is nothing short of reading our minds and telling all of us that we aren't alone, that we all share common heartbreak. No matter how many support groups we have attended, doctors with whom we have consulted, teachers from whom we have received heartbreaking news, this book finally defines those common experiences.
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