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  • My Son's Not Rainman

  • One Man, One Boy with Autism, a Million Adventures
  • By: John Williams
  • Narrated by: John Williams
  • Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (127 ratings)
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My Son's Not Rainman cover art

My Son's Not Rainman

By: John Williams
Narrated by: John Williams
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Summary

My Son's Not Rainman is a heartfelt and uplifting account of everyday events in the life of John and his son (The Boy).

The Boy is 12 years old and autistic. He isn't a genius. His only special power is making his dad laugh. A lot. Following the success of his blog, John talks not just about the difficulties of having a child who is considered 'different' but also the joy of living with someone who looks at the world in a unique way.

This isn't a story about autism but a story about a boy who happens to have autism, and there is a big difference. While being honest about the struggles of getting a diagnosis and the dismay of having his child excluded from schools, John rarely dwells on the downside of his son's condition, preferring instead to look at the happiness and insight his son has given him.

Funny and heartwarming, this is an audiobook about living with the often frustrating and bewildering but always fascinating world of the autistic mind. It's about finding the positive in everything, from the joy and wonder of the Special School Disco to the unadulterated thrill of getting the front seat on the Docklands Light Railway.

Ultimately, it's a celebration of what it really means to be different.

©2016 John Williams (P)2016 Audible Ltd.

What listeners say about My Son's Not Rainman

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Disappointed

As a autistic mother with an autistic son I had high hopes for this book however very disappointed. Its a shame

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7 people found this helpful

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So glade I wasn't taken in by the poor reviews

This is an amazing 👏 journey that John takes us on. Its both funny and sad, but also shows the battle that parents have to go through on a daily basis.
So glade I gave this book a chance and didn't let some of the negative reviews put me off.

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3 people found this helpful

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Fantastic book! Uplifting and very real

I loved this book from start to finish. It’s so deeply moving and uplifting all at once. An account of a dad and his autistic son. I read it at a time when our own child is being assessed and so the first person view from a dad was exactly what I was after. And “My son’s not rainman” does not dissapoint.

After I finished I thought about what experience the author might have wished to give his readers. And I think I know. It’s a story about living with autism but more so it’s about a fathers love for his son.

Best book I’ve read all year.

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3 people found this helpful

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Wonderful

This is an honest, touching and beautifully written book which I feel sad is finished. It leaves one longing to know how the boy has got on, and how he is now. I leave the book more informed and with a lot more insight and understanding than when I began listening to it. Thank you John for publishing this book.

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3 people found this helpful

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Loved the warmth of John's story telling.

Made me smile and brought a tear to my eye as Mum whose son has just diagnosed with autism.

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3 people found this helpful

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love this story

I love the story specially as a parent of a little autistic boy I find my self in many similar situations. this story touched my heart and will always stay with me to remind me how important is to embrace and accept autism the way it is and not trying to change our autistic children 🧡💙❤💛

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2 people found this helpful

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Absolutely personal and powerful

I have enjoyed this dads perspective from a sons point of view . I have laughed , cried and been overwhelmed with the pure love in your voice John . I’m humbled .... best book I’ve read this year maybe ever

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Amazing

This is wonderful book my son is autistic and it's great to hear johns story has its real life day to day life on the spectrum instead of so much sugar coated autism and think it's great for all parents and carers out there to know it's not just you going on that turbo charged up and down roller coaster well done John and boy

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Laughed and cried throughout

What a wonderful gift of a book. Superbly written and performed. Intelligent, interesting and deeply moving. I would recommend to anyone.

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1 person found this helpful

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just beautiful

wow..well that was rollercoaster ride. I hate rollercoasters. but I kept on gripping! I couldn't not know what happened next. so interesting, moving, heartbreaking, even laugh out loud funny at times. but a beautiful, very real, honest account. I have a (yet to be labelled), autistic grandson. we know he's on the spectrum, but just call him gorgeous, sensitive, and quirky, and I could not love him more. your book has really helped me concentrate on not only what he CAN do, but how he sees things, and I love that. it's beautiful. I'd love to know how you all are getting along nowadays. I really hope the boy is happy, but I'm sure he is, because his parents make the weather. thank you for making mine xx

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