This is a reasonably well written title on an important topic of interest to many parents. It has had good circulation at several of our branches.

I wanted to read this one because I've followed the Tilt Podcast for years and always felt like the author "got it." Our sons are of a similar age with similar diagnoses so I felt our paths were very similar. This book would be better received by someone newer to the differently wired path. I also felt like the book ended abruptly without an conclusion. After the last "Tilt" it was done. It was also difficult to read in terms of formatting but that could have been because it was an ARC and read on a Kindle.

A brilliant thought provoking book that definitely gave me an insight into children who are wired differently and struggle in this world with all stigma and difficulties that not being "normal" can bring.

All 3 of my kids are "Differently Wired", 2 of them on the Austism spectrum and the other with ADHD. It can be difficult to navigate the non neurotypical world, especially with 3 very distinctly different kids. Books like Differently Wired are a big help with trying to figuring out this parenting thing with my sweet kids.

Differently Wired is a useful resource for parents raising exceptional children. For parents dealing with the difficulties and pleasures of having a child with special needs, they will find connection, valuable information and support. I'm not convinced there are any groundbreaking or new ideas put forth in Differently Wired, but one cannot place value on finding connection and being reassured that you are parenting your exceptional child to your best ability, with some guidance, suggestions and reminders woven in.
Differently Wired is perhaps a touch biased in some aspects, such as the negative slant towards public school. It is also American in its definitions and explanations, making it less applicable to parents outside of the USA.
Overall, a recommended resource for parents.

I had recently read a couple books on this subject so I was pleasantly surprised to find this book took a slightly different perspective to most.

I found this book to be filled with great love and kindness, highlighting how differences can be cause for celebration.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read this ARC.

(Review will post to my book review blog [www.bugbugbooks.com] Tuesday, August 28.)

When I saw this quote at the very beginning of Differently Wired:

"Normality is a paved road: It's comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it." --Vincent van Gogh

I thought, "Ok yes, I'm going to love this book."

But I'm surprised to say that I didn't. I like the underlying idea of it. As the mother of a very smart and highly sensitive 8-year old boy, I'm all for the advice to celebrate uniqueness, ignore the standard of "normal," and try to parent from a place of acceptance and love, not guilt and fear. But I also want more.

Author Deborah Reber talks a lot about her tough experiences with her oldest son. She talks about being frustrated with his schools, his teacher's general lack of training and awareness, and even with herself for never seeming to quite get it "right." Yes, yes, and yes! I agree, I'm there! So now what? Well, she solves her family's issues by homeschooling her son. Which is fine for her, but not an option for us, so...next?

Unfortunately, there aren't many other options in this book. Instead, Reber focuses on TILTs, which are basically ways to shift your perspective as a parent with a gifted child. Many of these TILTs are repetitive, but essentially they boil down to:

---Stop trying to be "normal." Your child isn't and probably won't ever be.
---Connect with other parents who know what you're going through.
---Learn your child's language. Learn what certain actions or words mean to him.
---Create a safe, calm, relaxing environment for your child.
---Practice self-care.
---Advocate for your child, loudly if necessary. Then create the resources you wish you had.

Most of this advice is comforting but also obvious. (And some of it is downright unrealistic, borderline unhealthy. For example, the section on "leaning in to your child" where a mother supports her son by allowing him to control the family schedule for the entire summer. Uh, no.)

In fact, a lot of time is spent 1) complaining about how things are so hard, 2) fighting the system a little, 3) eventually withdrawing or giving up, and then 4) comforting yourself with the knowledge that you aren't alone. Which is a problem. I mean, it's always good to hear you're not the only one having trouble dealing with a bright and complicated kid, but then give me something concrete to work with. I want to move beyond whiny commiseration and hear success stories. Give me resources, classes, scripts for talking with school administrators, etc. Because at the end of the day, I don't want to homeschool my kid. I want his teacher to understand that he's way beyond what she's teaching him and that he's going to continue to act out in class until his brain is actually occupied and challenged. How do I do THAT?

In other words, I want to change the system, not whine about it and then try to comfort myself when I abandon it. I was hoping this book would help me stand in the place where I live, so to speak, but no such luck.

I highlighted so many quotes and passages from this book! DIFFERENTLY WIRED is a valuable resource for any parent that has a strong-willed child that you are on the fence of a diagnosis or have that medical neurological diagnosis. I enjoyed the author's insight of her personal struggle with finding the right fit to educate her child along with her trial and errors.

Deborah Reber provides real life examples coupled with stats, medical professional expertise, and recounts of published articles and books to help you on your parenting journey with your 'Differently Wired' child. I found so many of her suggestions easy to use and add in with my personal parenting struggles. One quote that resonated with me as I deal with a child of high energy and lack of focus that in the end becomes very accident prone is asking my child "What were you trying to do?" instead of getting angry and saying something demeaning.

As a previous educator (of only a couple years) I feel that the insight as a teacher to read this book would help especially a new education on how to not force that 'Differently Wired' to conform to the 'normal' classroom and utilize that child's gifts. And as the author suggests we MUST be the advocate for our child and this community to bring about change to include rather than exclude these children!

This book was a comforting read for a single mother of a child with autism. Not only was the information plentiful, but it read like advice from a good friend as opposed to a book full of psychological mumbo-jumbo.

My son is twice exceptional and there is a severe lack of material on the subject. I was thrilled to read this book specifically directed at families of 2e kids, and even more thrilled to find it helpful. Highly recommended for those who love a 2e person!

Being a parent of a differently wired child,can be challenging,and lonely if you dont have understanding family and friends around you. Reading Deborahs book was so comforting,like having a friend walking with you on your journey. This book also reminds you to celebrate our wonderful children,and to remember to practice self care,I really loved this book and have reccomended it to a few people,and will continue to do so.

Parenting lessons for a modern world. Deborah provides excellent advises and techniques of how interact with children with ADHD, giftedness, autism, learning disorders, and anxiety. Excellent book for new parents or parents with exceptional kids.

I found this book interesting. My own gifted child has generalized/social anxiety and pervasive OCD. More than anything, a book like this let me see that I am not alone with my struggles and challenges. I think the point that resonated with me the most was that rearing "normal" children is exhausting and raising a child with differences is that and so much more. I ache for my child and constantly want her to fit in, but at the same time, don't want her to lose all the special quirks that make her who she is. So much of what my daughter deals with is not necessarily"seen on the outside" so it can feel like I am always explaining why she doesn't want to go up a small set of stairs, or why her hands are always by her face, etc.. This book just made me feel like there are those who are dealing with these stressors daily like my family. It felt good to not be alone. I recommend this read for anyone who has a child with differences and wants to see how other families cope and what solutions they have come up with.

I loved this book. It is one of the few geared toward parents of 2e kids that doesn't come with a side of guilt. Thoughtful, well-written and teeming with good advice. I will be recommending it to my tribe for sure.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but this book was amazing! It was as though, at times, she was explaining both of my children. As a mother of two crazy arse children (only slightly kidding) who both have Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and are also Gifted, I can relate to the issues expressed with schooling systems, as well as, sensory processing reactions. My children react in two completely opposite ways, but to similar triggers. Very interesting household, indeed. This book was a refreshing look at the spectrum and the wide range of children & families who are blessed with the experience.

I think this is a fabulous resource to have and will encourage many to read it. I like that the author uses personal experience to connect with the reader and doesn't rely on technical language and vocabulary.

I have read so many books about Autism and ADHD that I could throw up medical jargon for a year. I find them all to be the same, depressing and full of selfish parents. This book was a refreshing take on the world of parents of "Differently Wired" kids.

There was hope among the chaos. I felt like I could connect to this mother and I knew all the struggles she was going through, because I had been there too. I don't think the mother asked once, "Why was this happening to me..." but gave the reader a sense that there is an end to all the tough times, you just have to support your child and learn what they need.

I loved this book and would recommend it to any parent of a newly diagnosed differently wired child, or even to those who have been down that path, but need to know that they are not alone.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

A must read for educators and parents of the " differently wired" child!

As an educator turned stay-at-home mom (of my own gifted child), this book was simply screaming to be read. It didn't disappoint one bit. Working from her own experience as a parent to a twice-exceptional son, Reber writes messages of encouragement and support as well as practical tips for everyday life with a child of any exceptionality. Her words are incredibly relavent and necessary in today's world of standardization and conventionality, where children who are different are given no room to be themselves.

As a parent of a two year old much like Reber's own, I found myself simply bawling several times during my reading. With no one in our world who truly understands our son (or our life with him), it's amazing simply to hear that we're not alone. What's more, though, was Reber's encouragement to do exactly what we've always felt led to do in the first place; fight for him, support him, challenge him, wait for him, and "lean in" as much as possible. We've got an extremely gifted child who won't ever fit into the world around him, but it's a huge blessing to be reminded that he won't ever be alone.

I'd add further that I think this is a great read for educators of all types; exceptional children are a part of our world and our classrooms, and working to gain a deeper understanding of them is how we'll begin to changed their realities.

Well written, well researched, and most needed. Thanks Deborah Reber!

I got an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley, and here's my honest review.

I read the first few chapters of this book on a slow Saturday at work. I came away with two things that day: I could have written this, and I am not alone.

Then it gets even better by offering me an honest account of the author's experiences raising a differently wired child and strategies I can use to improve life with my own differently wired child.

People like me are probably the best audience for this book. My child is young, and my partner and I are just now beginning to come to terms with the fact that our child is differently wired and that we're going to have to throw out the traditional parenting book and find another way. This book reached me at the exact moment I needed it.

If you're farther along in your parenting journey, you've already gotten diagnoses, your child is a teen and you've already worked out strategies that work best for you, I'd still recommend giving this book a glance over. It may not give you any new information on dealing with your child's specific wiring, but it may inspire you to take a look at yourself as a parent.

Now I'm off to read some of the books referenced in this one. Because for me, this is the beginning of my journey, and now I have hope that it doesn't have to be an awful one.

Differently Wired highlights many of the difficulties parents with "learning disabled" children experience. The author not only writes from personal experience, but references studies and some of the latest information on the subject. I appreciated her candor and honesty- not only in referring to her own feelings, but also those of her son and others. As more people become aware of the facts I believe that there will be a change in society's views of people (not only children) who are 'differently wired' and 'normal' will not be so narrowly defined. This book raises awareness of the need for a change in our educational systems as well as the importance of parental involvement as an advocate for the child. This topic is dealt with in a very down to earth and straightforward manner. I believe that anyone who has any interaction with children will benefit from reading it.