Get It Now!

Review from Temple Grandin

Review from Kay Al-Ghani

I am an avid reader when it comes to books related to Autism, so 

to be given the opportunity to pre-view Brian R. King’s book :  ‘Let’s Relate’, was both exciting and more than a little humbling.  When an author is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, highly sought after by parents and professionals; an international consultant on ASD; a loving husband to a woman with ASD; a super Dad to not one, but three children with ASD and a ‘spectrumite’ himself  –  then credentials do not really come any higher. If anyone knows anything about how to communicate with individuals on the spectrum, it has to be Brain R. King.

I think it more a Freudian slip than a spelling error when I keep typing in the word ‘Brain’ instead of ‘Brian’.  Indeed , it is the power of Brian’s brain, wired up in an ASD circuit, that shines out in this book. He manages to make the daunting task of effective communication between neurotypicals and those with ASD, seem not only possible, but almost easy. 

This book provides an insightful perspective on the workings of the ASD brain, made possible by an unusual degree of self-awareness. This self-awareness has been forged on an anvil of suffering and adversity. Brian has stoically used his life experiences to help individuals with ASD and those who strive to understand them better, to communicate in the true sense of the word.

The potential for flawed communication is relatively easy in a society where much of what we think we know and understand is based on assumption. The resounding message of this book is:  never make assumptions and always seek clarification. It is a lesson I have already started to use with my own family and one that I will take into schools and presentations in my quest to advocate for children and adults on the Autism Spectrum.

This is one book I shall be highly recommending and one that I shall be dipping into regularly for its wisdom and truth. Coping with Autism is often likened to a roller coaster ride. “Let’s Relate” provides a model communication highway on which to travel the Autism journey and as the mother of a son with ASD, I can certainly relate to that.

Kay Al-Ghani

Review from Joan Matthews

I thought I knew a lot about Asperger syndrome--until I read Brian's book. 

When my Aspie son, James, was born in 1988, there wasn't a lot of useful or accurate information about autism. However, as more and more children were diagnosed with it in the 1990s, experts started tackling the major issues one by one. As our kids grew, we helped them learn how to walk without bumping into walls; we learned how to toilet-train them in less than a year; we got them speech therapy, hearing therapy, vision therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, foot therapy, play therapy, color therapy, vitamin therapy, and biofeedback. We changed their diet, got the plastics out of the house, changed laundry detergents and soaps, and if we were lucky, our child became a walking, talking, reasoning human being who could change his clothes, comb his hair, stand in line in school, and was isolated, angry, and absolutely miserable. Were we really selfless, devoted parents--or descendants of Dr. Victor Frankenstein?

After all those therapies, two crucial aspects of living seemed to elude our kids: effective communication and satisfying social interaction. How could we get our kids to communicate (rather than just talk at us) and relate (rather than just sit there tuning everyone out)? It was not for lack of trying. In between all those therapies listed above, we also drove our kids to social groups, hired rent-a-friends, joined the local Circle of Friends, pushed our kids into social situations, and talked their heads off about being "appropriate" and "fitting in." Did any of this work? No. 

Finally, there is a book that tells us why our kids are having so much trouble in the social realm. And what's more important, we're given useful, proven strategies to help our kids succeed in this "final frontier." It's called LET'S RELATE, and wow, does it live up to its name!

Brian King brings to his book the multiple perspectives of father, health professional, and Aspie himself. Even if you thought you understood the problems your kids are facing, Brian can give you insights that never occurred to you. I found myself saying, "Yeah. That's right. Brilliant," over and over as I read. And while so many books falter when it's time to discuss "what to do about the problem," Brian's book presents a wealth of ideas and strategies for communicating and relating in a new way with the Spectrumites in your life. Throw out the star charts and the social scripts. Those never worked, and never will. Bring in the strategies. They do work. I can vouch for them, because I am now using them with my own family, and the results have been positive andimmediate.

My son James, now age twenty-two, has remarked that "understanding" is "the free therapy." Brian's book will help you understand your loved ones as never before. And I predict you'll understand yourself a lot better, too.  

Joan Matthews (Mother of James Williams)