Kristine Barnett

The mother of an autistic child who was eventually recognized as a genius recounts her rejection of conventional advice from developmental experts and shares the strategies she utilized for tapping her son's potential.

A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius

The Spark

In jedem Kind verbirgt sich der »Funke«. Kristines Sohn Jacob hat einen höheren IQ als Einstein und verfügt über ein fotografisches Gedächtnis. Und er ist Autist. »Der Funke« erzählt die Geschichte einer Mutter, die gegen den Rat aller Experten darum kämpft, ihrem Sohn ein normales, glückliches Leben zu ermöglichen, indem sie ihn ermutigt, seinem »Funken« zu folgen, sich auf das zu konzentrieren, was er liebt, statt auf das, was ihn hindert. Großartige Möglichkeiten können sich eröffnen, wenn wir lernen, das wahre Potenzial zu erwecken, das in jedem Kind ruht – und in jedem von uns.

Die Geschichte eines autistischen Jungen, der es allen gezeigt hat

Der Funke

Scânteia

The extraordinary memoir of a mother's love, commitment and nurturing, which allowed her son, originally diagnosed with severe autism, to flourish into a universally recognized genius--and how any parent can help their child find their spark. Today, at 13, Jacob is a paid researcher in quantum physics, working on extending Einstein's theory of relativity. Diagnosed at 1 with severe autism, at 3 he was assigned to life-skills classes and his parents were told to adjust their expectations. The goal: tying his own shoes at 16. Kristine's belief in the power of hope and the dazzling possibilities that can occur when we keep our minds open and learn to fuel a child's true potential changed everything.

Kristine Barnett’s son Jacob has an IQ higher than Einstein’s, a photographic memory, and he taught himself calculus in two weeks. At nine he started working on an original theory in astrophysics that experts believe may someday put him in line for a Nobel Prize, and at age twelve he became a paid researcher in quantum physics. But the story of Kristine’s journey with Jake is all the more remarkable because his extraordinary mind was almost lost to autism. At age two, when Jake was diagnosed, Kristine was told he might never be able to tie his own shoes. The Spark is a remarkable memoir of mother and son. Surrounded by “experts” at home and in special ed who tried to focus on Jake’s most basic skills and curtail his distracting interests—moving shadows on the wall, stars, plaid patterns on sofa fabric—Jake made no progress, withdrew more and more into his own world, and eventually stopped talking completely. Kristine knew in her heart that she had to make a change. Against the advice of her husband, Michael, and the developmental specialists, Kristine followed her instincts, pulled Jake out of special ed, and began preparing him for mainstream kindergarten on her own. Relying on the insights she developed at the daycare center she runs out of the garage in her home, Kristine resolved to follow Jacob’s “spark”—his passionate interests. Why concentrate on what he couldn’t do? Why not focus on what he could? This basic philosophy, along with her belief in the power of ordinary childhood experiences (softball, picnics, s’mores around the campfire) and the importance of play, helped Kristine overcome huge odds. The Barnetts were not wealthy people, and in addition to financial hardship, Kristine herself faced serious health issues. But through hard work and determination on behalf of Jake and his two younger brothers, as well as an undying faith in their community, friends, and family, Kristine and Michael prevailed. The results were beyond anything anyone could have imagined. Dramatic, inspiring, and transformative, The Spark is about the power of love and courage in the face of overwhelming obstacles, and the dazzling possibilities that can occur when we learn how to tap the true potential that lies within every child, and in all of us. Praise for The Spark “[An] amazing memoir . . . compulsive reading.”—The Washington Post “The Spark is about the transformative power of unconditional love. If you have a child who’s ‘different’—and who doesn’t?—you won’t be able to put it down.”—Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful Mind “Love, illness, faith, tragedy and triumph—it’s all here. . . . Jake Barnett’s story contains wisdom for every parent.”—Newsday “This eloquent memoir about an extraordinary boy and a resilient and remarkable mother will be of interest to every parent and/or educator hoping to nurture a child’s authentic ‘spark.’”—Publishers Weekly “Compelling . . . Jake is unusual, but so is his superhuman mom.”—Booklist “The Spark describes in glowing terms the profound intensity with which a mother can love her child.”—Andrew Solomon, author of The Noonday Demon and Far from the Tree “Every parent and teacher should read this fabulous book!”—Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures and co-author of The Autistic Brain

A Mother's Story of Nurturing, Genius, and Autism

Una historia real. El testimonio de una madre coraje que relata cómo educó a su hijo, un niño autista más inteligente que Einstein. Este libro es una extraordinaria memoir sobre cómo los padres pueden descubrir y alimentar la chispa de sus hijos; y sobre cómo, a través del amor materno, el compromiso y la educación, un niño diagnosticado como autista se ha convertido en un genio universalmente reconocido. La chispa nos cuenta la historia de Jacob Barnett que hoy en día, a los 17 años, trabaja en la ampliación de la teoría de la relatividad de Einstein y es un cotizado investigador en física cuántica. Sin embargo, a los 3 años, después de un diagnóstico de autismo, Jacob fue asignado a clases de educación especial y sus padres tuvieron que adaptar sus expectativas. La meta a conseguir era que a los 16 fuera capaz de atarse los zapatos. La determinación de Kristine y el brillante abanico de posibilidades que se abren si mantenemos la mente abierta y aprendemos a alimentar el verdadero potencial de un niño, lo cambiaron todo. La crítica ha dicho... «Extraordinaria. Una historia de triunfo contra todo pronóstico y de la que, Barnett insiste, otros padres pueden aprender.» Sunday Times «La chispa habla sobre el poder del amor incondicional. Si su hijo es considerado como "diferente" -¿y quién no lo es?- usted no será capaz de cerrar este libro.» Sylvia Nasar, autora de Una mente maravillosa «La chispa describe con brillantez la profunda intensidad con que una madre puede amar a su hijo.» Andrew Solomon, autor de Lejos del árbol. Historias de padres e hijos que han aprendido a quererse

Kristine Barnett

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