Why Does Daddy Always Look So Sad?

Jude Morrow connects very naturally with readers on an emotional level from the first page itself starting with a journey of his childhood. The book brings out a very important and unexplored aspect of how kids with Asperger’s syndrome perceive the world around them. It talks about what kind of patience and courage it takes for the parents to support the kids in winning over each challenge which is quite normal for most kids that age. Jude Morrow talks his journey through those achievements, getting confidence, over-confidence and then modesty by facing his fears. Time and again he tries to break the façade which he displays in front of his colleagues and family. This is very courageous since maintaining a façade is very important for a person with Asperger’s syndrome.

Just when Jude thought that he has conquered the world, he became a parent and like every change, this was an uphill task which he has no clue how to survive successfully. He talks openly about his failures, his negative bias towards changes and being a defeatist when pushed into a corner. In the process of hiding weaknesses from his kid and the world, he ends up making many mistakes only to finally owning up and walk towards improvement and therapy.

This is a beautiful book on living with Asperger’s Syndrome and being a parent. The learnings written by Jude in parenting are universal at some level and parents can improve relationships with their kids by adopting a thing or two from his revelations. The book is written in an easy to understand language and doesn’t become tedious with too much details. In his narrative Jude paints a pretty descriptive picture of himself, his class, his kid and his parents which makes a reader relate to the growth he is witnessing in his life by facing each fear and surviving by adapting to changes.

This is such a powerful book. Why Does Daddy Always Look So Sad follows the author from his experience of living with autism as a child and then once again as he is put in a new unknown experience of raising children. You don't realize autism is something that has been around for ages, but just didn't have a name before. There weren't schools specifically to help those on the spectrum. There weren't support groups. There are so many misconceptions about people with autism and this debunks them from the personal experiences of the author.

I have worked with many children with Autism and so I thoroughly enjoyed this book - it really gives you an insight into the thoughts and mind of someone living with this condition. It makes it easier for you to relate to others in this way. It was well written, too the point, honest and frank

Jude Morrow looks like a normal person from the outside: graduated with a bachelor’s degree, got a settle job, and a nice family. He always try to keep his things and agenda in order. Never goes a day without planning ahead about what to wear, what to say, what to do, and when to do it.

Ever since he was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, Jude tries to avoid crowded and noisy places….until his son is born. He learns to keep life under control while juggling with his full-time job, taking care of his son, and hide his disabilities. One day, his son mentions to his grandmother: Why Does Daddy Always Look so Sad?

That is when Jude realize…he needs to find a way to embrace is limitations and not run from it.

This book teaches we a lot about the misconceptions we have about autism. For example: They are not lacking of emotion and emphaty. They can learn to read emotions with some therapy. Jude Morrow used cards with facial expressions to help him define feelings. Smiling face is attributed to words like happy and laughter, while a sad face is attributed to words like sad and upset.

I would recommend everyone who is working or know someone who has autism to read this book. It is an incredible testimony, both from the medical side and from an emotional side. You can see that even with limitations, life can still have a happy ending.

This book is a memoir about a man who has Aspergers. It details his life from childhood to adulthood including becoming a father.

This book is written so well and taught me so much about living with this condition. The author highlights the struggles that he has faced so well. It is very open and honest. This memoir is moving and inspirational. I would highly recommend this book.

A bit mature for some students, but wow. Raw and honest. A must-read. If the title doesn't pull you in, the writing absolutely will, and you will find yourself thinking about this work of art long after the final page has been turned.

I don't read a ton of books written by men in general but I made an exception for this one. I love memoirs and one written by an adult father about how it affects his life as an adult and father was intriguing. I feel like so many books are written by the parents of people with autism that it was refreshing to read the voice of the actual person with the diagnosis. How do adults trying to deal with full "normal" lives deal with the mess and noise that comes with children? He really delves into it.

*I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

5 stars.

There's a lot ot misunderstanding regarding ASD. This book will help you understand what it is really like.

As a psychology student who has loved ones with Asperger's, I already knew many of the behaviours and thoughts displayed on this book, although it is never the same to have them explained from the perspective of a person who lives with them. I highly recommend anybody interested in learning from this disorder and/or understanding those who have it, to read this.

Jude Morrow's life journey with Aperger's is perfectly portrayed, but it is not only his experince we can relate to; how family, friends and basically anyone around him perceived his reactions will also give you an accurate idea of how they cope with the situations they encounter. It is not only the person with Asperger's that struggles with it.

Moreover, this book shows there are ways to improve your quality of life if you're open to allow others to help. I know it may be hard to accept this need, but the sooner you do so, the better your life experience becomes.

Upon having a child, Jude's life was transforming; changes that are not always taken with an open mind. Sometimes we are not ready to let control go. However, it was this event that let him look at the future putting a smile on his face. Who wouldn't feel compelled to do so upon hearing their son asking someone else why you always look so sad? Who wouldn't wish to improve their life and relationship with their loved ones?

A person with Asperger's is far from being incapable of overcoming life's struggles; it is simply harder to accept change and interpret others. In fact, they generally have brilliant minds.

If you're keen on reading a beautiful -as hard- real life story to come closer to a person with Asperger's or their loved ones, please read this book. You can only gain openness and knowledge. This story will certainly touch your heart.