I had the opportunity recently to receive a copy of A Friend Like Henry by Nuala Gardner to review and eagerly accepted because it is so helpful and encouraging to read about other families’ experiences with autism. This book is the story of Jamie and Nuala Gardner, and their son Dale. The book opens with an all-too-familiar story of knowing something is different about your child and being frustrated in your attempts to find out exactly what it is, and then of pushing to get the help and support he needs once you do have a diagnosis.
But the story takes an interesting turn when the Gardners bring a new member into the family, a golden retriever puppy they name Henry, after Dale’s favorite Thomas train. Dale takes to the dog right away – talking and playing with him, letting him share his space, and loving him. And it is this connection that opens the door for Dale. You can hear about it in their own words in this YouTube video:
Although I appreciated a lot of things that were shared in the book, I will leave you with a powerful statement from the Afterword:
“If I had to say just one thing about autism as a disability, it is this: we must never underestimate how hard a person affected has to work every day, all day, to live by our society’s rules and to fit in. The anxiety and effort this takes is always immense, and, like their autism, it is for the rest of their life.”
So what books are on your nightstand? Visit 5 Minutes for Books to find other participants or to post your own.
And while you’re hopping around the blogosphere today, check out this week’s Try This Tuesday post, contributed by Jenny at Special Considerations.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
This sounds like a moving book, and that closing statement is powerful.
Autism has always been a subject that “gets to me.” I don’t have an autistic child, but I can relate to the yearning for our children to have all they need to make their way in life.
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I loved that story!!! I will have to read the book. I hate the word normal and I agree that we need to see life through others points of view. I think society as a whole wants everyone to fit in to little round holes when we are all diverse some being squares or triangles. Life would not be what it is if we were all the same. That is a great quote. Even with Dyslexia I felt as if the teachers and others wanted me to only learn a certain way. If I couldn’t something was wrong with me. Maybe something was wrong with the way they were teaching. I really enjoyed this video clip.
Livin’’s last blog post..I Heart Multivitamins
Yours is the second review I’ve read of this book and it’s becoming more and more intriguing to me.
Thanks for sharing!
I’ve heard of this book. This post made me feel guilty because my son, who has NLD– an autism spectrum disorder (but is doing really, really well with it) desperately wants a dog. And we’re just not ready for the work. Sigh.
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Thanks for the review and recommendation. Sounds like an interesting read – especially since we go back and forth on the dog issue!
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Great review and a very good statement to share and for us to remember.
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I’m going to buy a copy. I love the quotation you pulled out from the book. How true. All our “hardships” are hardest of all on them. Our dog was partially trained as a companion but failed the hip inspection. Interestingly, he has bonded with my daughter (not my son with autism) and provides many services to meet her emotional needs.
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What a beautiful quote! I think I have to read that book now.
Casey´s last blog post..What’s on My Nightstand
I have heard of this book, but haven’t read it. It looks great!
thx for sharing. I have lotsa books I want to read but don’t have the attention for them. that statement is the very sentiment that helped me empathize w The Hub and the Elder and learn to enjoy them and easing their anxiety but at the same time, for the elder at least, that the world view doesn’t change overnight.
we have a dog and I think it does help. he even has a “job” to let the dog in and out. most of the time I have to prompt. but the times I don’t I realize how glad I am we have Skip.
I like the stories of animals, just got word of one with a boy and a ferret that I will be reviewing soon or my son will, depends once we get the book and the length. I also like the stories that take place in other countries to see similarities and differences.
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