Unintentional Humor ; Celebrating the Literal Mind - Softcover

Linda Gund Anderson

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0983450943 ISBN 13: 9780983450948

Publisher: Gund Publishing, Inc, 2012

Synopsis

Inspired by a boy with autism, Unintentional Humor is a laugh-out-loud book that highlights the ambiguity of the English language when experienced by a literal mind. Literal interpretations of common expressions such as Surfing the Web, You're in the Dog House, and Pig Out demonstrate how humor can be used to increase understanding of cultural and developmental language barriers. Unintentional Humor is filled with eighty-five true stories and ninety original cartoon illustrations providing great family entertainment for people of all ages. The twenty-three pages of definitions make Unintentional Humor an effective teaching tool for both home and school.

About this title

About the Author:

After years of grappling with her sons' communication challenges, author Linda Gund Anderson was determined to help people understand the language differences he encountered. An experienced entrepreneur, she created her own publishing company and hired talented cartoonist Alan J. Lewis to work together with her son, Brent. Using hundreds of the stories collected over the years, the book is powerful because of Brent's willingness to share his stories of life with autism. Alan J. Lewis and Brent spent countless hours working together to accurately draw the images of his literal mind. The unique combination of Brent's true stories and Linda's humor provide comic relief that everyone enjoys. The outcome is a must read book that everyone enjoys.

Review:

I buy this book 50 copies at a time for my center, and recommend it to all of my patients who think literally. I encourage parents to treat slang, both verbal and non-verbal (gestures), as a foreign language their child with Autism spectrum disorder can learn. I believe this will help with social skills for both children and adults, and reduce bullying of the mocking type. It is fine to think of the literal meaning of a slang phrase when they hear it, but understanding the slang meaning will help them truly join the conversation and participate fully - no more staying quiet and wondering what everyone is talking about! I tell parents to keep it on the dinner table and learn a phrase a week. Coordinate with teachers and therapists, so that the phrase of the week can be reinforced throughout the day. My goals are for the Autism Spectrum child to both understand slang, and use it when appropriate. Put the siblings on cool patrol - they are great at teaching and using slang! It is a myth that individuals on the autism spectrum have no sense of humor - they don't seem to get the joke because they may be thinking of the literal sense of the word or phrase. Learning the double meaning of slang lets them in on the joke, and their true sense of humor can be appreciated. I recommend for people without autism to read this book as well, to gain insight into their neurodiverse family members and friends who may think on the literal side. Overall, I cannot recommend this enough! --Janet Lintala, DC

Unintentional Humor is a lite book written by Linda Gund Anderson. It's a book about the humor caused when the literal mind encounters an often figurative language - standard vernacular English. Each page features a comical drawing inspired by Brent Anderson, Linda's adult son. I think it's safe to assume Brent is on the spectrum. It's the thoughts, the images, that have come to his mind throughout the years that are the inspiration for this book. Without him, Unintentional Humor wouldn't have been possible. This book is a joy to read, to be sure. --Shane Cohn

Rarely does one read anything funny concerning autism. The fight for services and funding, complete with statistics of increasing numbers of individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder are in the news, headlines and Sunday human interest stories every week. Is it something in the water? This is no laughing matter and a bit scary. Yet, one gentleman, Brent Anderson, has given us the gift of a look inside the mind of one who experiences life with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). His gift to the world materialized with the support of family and a cartoon artist. Together they produced Unintentional Humor Celebrating the Literal MindTM. In this book, Brent shares his true story and makes the reader laugh in recognition of how human we all are. In the end, Brent manages to bring a smile and the feeling that we are more alike than different. Well done Brent Anderson. Your book brings the reader increased awareness with genuine good humor. Thank you for your willingness to share part of your life story with a variety of readers and bring greater understanding of the condition labeled ASD. Thank you for the many, many laughs. --Larry R. Rice

About this edition

• Publisher: Gund Publishing, Inc
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0983450943
• ISBN 13: 9780983450948
• Binding: Spiral-bound
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 174
• Illustrator: Alan J. Lewis, Brett Bednorz