New Reviews of "Get Out, Explore, Have Fun" Explore the Complexity of the Autism Community

Today, new reviews of Get Out, Explore and Have Fun by blogger Kim Wombles and parent/advocate Stan Jaskiewicz (who is quoted in the book) highlight the reality that it's not always easy to find one's place in the autism community.  All too often, we are swayed by the expectations of others, or by the sometimes-ferocious politics within the autism community itself.  How do you rise above the noise to find a direction that works for you and your family?

Here's what Stan - a tireless advocate and hands-on Dad - suggests:

In my advocacy in various contexts, such as religious education or adaptive sports, I have tried to provide a consistent message to parents of children with disabilities. Don't assume your child can't do something because of his or her autism - you may have to provide accommodations, be involved yourself as a leader to facilitate your child's participation, and plan the event intensively, but your child is capable of many great things.

Kim, a dedicated autism blogger and mom, has for many years been a major voice in the autism controversies that seem to grow more heated and polarized every day.  In her review of Get Out, Explore, however, she notes that she's found more common ground than she anticipated:

...I’ve communicated more over the last year with parents whose beliefs regarding their child’s autism run the gamut and yet somehow, we’ve managed to fairly easily work together to try to advocate for others in need and to forge friendships, as well, based on the mutual desire to make the world a better place for our children. It’s refreshing and heartwarming to realize that we have common interests that rise above the questions of causation.

Brett Miller's Review of Get Out, Explore, Have Fun

Thanks, Brett Miller, for your review of an early galley of Get Out, Explore, Have Fun on "Good Reads." A short excerpt:

If you are the parent of a young - or not so young - autistic child, you should get and read this book. And give a copy to your child's teacher, their IEP case worker, the IEP team.

Life is for living, even for an autistic child, and this book reminds us why this is true and how to make it happen.

First Review of Get Out, Explore, Have Fun

It will be months before the book comes out, but because Jessica Kingsley Publishing has already sent out galley copies, the first review is in.  Autism blogger "Whitterer on Autism" offers a really positive response to the book - highlighting its practicality and positive perspective:

Sometimes you read the title of a book and cringe inside – ‘great concept but how exactly am I supposed to do that?’ Lisa Jo fails to give me a glib reply – no, ‘how to fix it quick’ response, which is precisely why this book is readable, helpful and practical.

Lisa Jo gives us an in-depth and well considered approach to help us change how we think about some of the difficulties we face when it comes to ‘getting out and about.’ Her ‘no nonsense’ approach is refreshing and I particularly warmed to the underlying philosophy – yes all autistic children need education and some need therapy, but not to the exclusion of everything else that life has to offer....

Are you a blogger interested in reviewing the book before it hits bookstands?  If so, let me know and I'll try to get you a copy ASAP!