Rating: 
Summary: Wishes that come true,Just This Side of Normal
Review: A wonderful story, a rich tapestry of love and hope and told with the masterful hand of an expert storyteller. Elizabeth King Gerlach stirs the heart with this magnificent true-life story of glimpses into life with Autism. Just This Side of Normal shares the heartache and celebrates the triumphs of a mother and family facing the challenges of raising an Autistic child. As a parent of two school age children, neither of whom is Autistic I found myself turning from one page to the next, inspired by hope which is the message that comes through in so clear a manner and at the same time savoring the artistic sensitivity and style of the authors hand. Just This Side of Normal is a must read for everyone; an educator, a parent, a parent of those children affected by Autism,young adults. Poetic in its execution, I find myself returing to the pages of Just This Side of Normal over and over again and I look forward to reading more from this highly talented author.
Rating:
Summary: Wishes that come true,Just This Side of Normal
Review: A wonderful story, a rich tapestry of love and hope and told with the masterful hand of an expert storyteller. Elizabeth King Gerlach stirs the heart with this magnificent true-life story of glimpses into life with Autism. Just This Side of Normal shares the heartache and celebrates the triumphs of a mother and family facing the challenges of raising an Autistic child. As a parent of two school age children, neither of whom is Autistic I found myself turning from one page to the next, inspired by hope which is the message that comes through in so clear a manner and at the same time savoring the artistic sensitivity and style of the authors hand. Just This Side of Normal is a must read for everyone; an educator, a parent, a parent of those children affected by Autism,young adults. Poetic in its execution, I find myself returing to the pages of Just This Side of Normal over and over again and I look forward to reading more from this highly talented author.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful and Inspiring Book
Review: An amazing story told by an amazing author. This is an inspiring story of love, pain, devotion, disappointment, hope, humor and courage. Elizabeth King Gerlach opens her life to the reader, allowing us a parent's perspective of what it means to raise an autistic child and deal with a world that doesn't understand. Simultaneously, Ms. Gerlach allows us a glimpse into her heart, a place of obviously deep caring, compassion and beauty. Her writing is refreshingly open, honest and sincere. Just This Side of Normal is complex while, at the same time, maintains a simple clarity that captures the essence of the love a parent has for their child.While certainly a valuable work for parents of autistic children, this book is more an inspiration, a tribute to the human spirit, to be shared by all. I want to thank Ms. Gerlach for writing this beautiful book and for opening her heart to all who are fortunate enough to read it. This book moved me deeply, as a father and as a human being. Buy this book, read it over and over, laugh & cry, and then share it with everyone you know.
Rating:
Summary: A long-awaited entry from a leader in the field of autism.
Review: As parents of an autistic child, we constantly read a great number of informative books on the disorder, always looking for links which will unearth the current "magic bullet" to help rescue our son from his oft-times lonely world. When our child was initially diagnosed as being within the autistic spectrum, we were given Elizabeth K. Gerlach's first book, "The Autism Treatment Guide" by our Regional Center. We realized that here was an author who had "been there... done that," and that her mentoring would be important... possibly the best overall examination of the many therapies available to help the autistic child. Since that time, we have ourselves given away more than a dozen copies of "The Autism Treatment Guide" to parents of the newly-diagnosed. It is still the single best guide in our rapidly expanding "autism library." Her latest book, "Just This Side of Normal," is not a book of available therapeutic modalities. It is its own therapy. As I read and re-read, I found myself identifying our own place in the world of autism with Ms. Gerlach's. Her often bittersweet, but always hopeful approach to the growth of her children, is a delightful anecdotal pilgrimage. As she relates her views of Nicky's ongoing steps into the everyday world, her words spark chords of our own unique journey, making the resonance universal, and, as with her first book, becoming enormously helpful. This is another book we'll surely pass on to new friends!
Rating:
Summary: A long-awaited entry from a leader in the field of autism.
Review: As parents of an autistic child, we constantly read a great number of informative books on the disorder, always looking for links which will unearth the current "magic bullet" to help rescue our son from his oft-times lonely world. When our child was initially diagnosed as being within the autistic spectrum, we were given Elizabeth K. Gerlach's first book, "The Autism Treatment Guide" by our Regional Center. We realized that here was an author who had "been there... done that," and that her mentoring would be important... possibly the best overall examination of the many therapies available to help the autistic child. Since that time, we have ourselves given away more than a dozen copies of "The Autism Treatment Guide" to parents of the newly-diagnosed. It is still the single best guide in our rapidly expanding "autism library." Her latest book, "Just This Side of Normal," is not a book of available therapeutic modalities. It is its own therapy. As I read and re-read, I found myself identifying our own place in the world of autism with Ms. Gerlach's. Her often bittersweet, but always hopeful approach to the growth of her children, is a delightful anecdotal pilgrimage. As she relates her views of Nicky's ongoing steps into the everyday world, her words spark chords of our own unique journey, making the resonance universal, and, as with her first book, becoming enormously helpful. This is another book we'll surely pass on to new friends!
Rating: 
Summary: i read better
Review: dont get me wrong this wa an okay book but it really did not have all that much to offer as does say new for the boreder. i wish the author had made it longer and gone more into depth about the incedents that happend.
Rating: 
Summary: Just This Side of Normal
Review: I am a mother of a 3 1/2 year boy with autism. I read books mostly on people who write about their lives with autism. I found this book interesting. Alot of the things her child does, so does my son. The only thing that I did not like about this book is that the author really didn't go into detail about each story. She spent more time on stories that had nothing to do with her son. I found that she really did not want you to know much about her life. I feel that when a person decides to write a story about their life, they should spend alittle more time talking about how this affected their lives. Like when her husband left, I was left thinking, "Did he leave because of the pressure of having an autistic son, or for other reason?". I would check this book out at the local library before I spent money on it.
Rating:
Summary: Raising a child with autism shows both the beauty/struggle
Review: I cannot express how deeply affecting this book is. Any parent of a child with autism, any professional who deals with autistic children, will return to this book over and over again. A book of great depth, it spares us none of the pain that goes hand in hand with autism, and yet, ultimately, it is a book that follows a mother's struggle to raise her son with autism with both hope and with a profound respect. Respect for the beauty of life in all its wonder, in all its diversity, in the grace we find when we choose to hang in there and love. I have two autistic sons of my own and I couldn't ever find a book more beautifully written, more expressive of the feelings I have had, one time or another. You must read this book! No matter what your situation is, you will be moved--guaranteed. It's one of a kind.
Rating: 
Summary: Well written and interesting
Review: I enjoyed this book, and I have read several accounts of children with autism...I liked how Gerlach described her spirituality most of all. I believe that anyone who lives with exceptional children, whether they be parents, siblings, or educators, should have a strong spirit. Gerlach is a strong lady. She doesn't dwell on the "woe is me"; instead, she views her son for what he is...a precious gift. Her writing style is also very flowing and beautiful to read, unlike many more clinical books about autism. I have to admit, also, that this book made me laugh at times. I will recommend this book to my fellow teachers. Autism is often misunderstood, especially in the public schools. You'd be amazed at how many people think these children are simply being "bratty". Thanks to the author for sharing her wonderful story with others.
Rating:
Summary: Well written and interesting
Review: I enjoyed this book, and I have read several accounts of children with autism...I liked how Gerlach described her spirituality most of all. I believe that anyone who lives with exceptional children, whether they be parents, siblings, or educators, should have a strong spirit. Gerlach is a strong lady. She doesn't dwell on the "woe is me"; instead, she views her son for what he is...a precious gift. Her writing style is also very flowing and beautiful to read, unlike many more clinical books about autism. I have to admit, also, that this book made me laugh at times. I will recommend this book to my fellow teachers. Autism is often misunderstood, especially in the public schools. You'd be amazed at how many people think these children are simply being "bratty". Thanks to the author for sharing her wonderful story with others.
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