A Different Kind of Kin: For Relatives of Persons with Autism [Paperback]

Annette Wood (Author), Laurie Schunk (Editor), Dana DeCicco (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2007

This is not a cotton candy story. It is from the perspective of a sibling who grew up in the fifties with a sister who had autism. Even less was known about the disorder than is understood today. Much has been learned in the last forty years. I have struggled with many issues loss, guilt, anger, resentment, embarrassment facing people today. I know how my life turned out. My experiences have something to say to others.

In 1958, one in ten thousand was diagnosed with autism. One in 150 of those born today will be diagnosed with some form of autism, a developmental disability. That makes this a timely topic. Much information about autism is available today. Personal stories from the viewpoint of a sibling are rare.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Annette Wood, the writer, paints a nostalgic picture with words of growing up in rural Kansas before communication and educational services were available in most communities. Ann, the big sister of an unpredictable younger sister with autism, describes the beauty and pain known to family members and the professionals who support children like Jan. This poignant book comes from a sister s heart and crushes yours an insightful and sensitive story worth sharing.

Kathy Strattman, Ph.D. Speech Language Pathologist and Associate Professor
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Wichita State University --Kathy Strattman, Ph.D.

I just could not get enough of these stories. It s like you knew things that I experienced with my brother. Things that people with normal families do not understand. You made me feel glad to have been a part of a special needs family.

Ceara Thierry, sister of handicapped brother --Ceara Thierry

"A Different Kind of Kin" is a book long awaited by many siblings who have been affected by autism. It helps to know that families have dealt with autism for decades now. It shows that there is hope and there are many changes today compared to growing up in the fifties. The challenges remain the same, but are different as far as the school settings. My son Clint, sixteen, has autism. His older sister, eighteen, has weathered her challenges as the only sibling of her brother. This book will help many siblings be able to cope, laugh, and share with others and gain strength from the stories. I highly recommend this book, as it can apply to anyone who knows someone with autism. Verla Pope - mom to autistic son --Verla Pope

About the Author

Annette Wood's most basic qualification for writing A Different Kind of Kin is growing up as the sister of a person with autism. She is a former teacher of students with learning disabilities. She has a BS from Phillips University in English education and an MS in learning disabilities from Emporia State. She is a member of the Autism Society of Kansas. She has researched autism extensively. The manuscript includes many resources; books, magazine articles and web sites.

Annette has had more than 400 articles published in over forty publications. She belongs to River City Writers, Wichita Professional Communicators and Kansas Authors Club.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Kansas Windmill Press; 1 edition (October 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979510600
• ISBN-13: 978-0979510601
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,934,876 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life with Jan, February 10, 2008

By 

Amanda Richards (Georgetown, Guyana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Different Kind of Kin: For Relatives of Persons with Autism (Paperback)

The author of this book offers the reader a very personal view of autism from her vantage point as the older sister of an autistic child. The book, although quite small in size, comes up big as an informative guide, incorporating not only family photographs and resource lists, but also a peek into the fifties when the disorder was less common and often misdiagnosed.

From personal experience, the author shares the ups and downs, highs and lows, and the often stressful and chaotic lives of families where at least one member is autistic. It also illustrates the effects of the disorder on the other family members who are determined to deal with each day as it comes.

I would recommend this book to parents, siblings and relatives of autistic persons, not only as a resource guide, but also for the sharing of experiences about a disorder that requires a loving and supportive family network.

Rated: 4.5 stars



Amanda Richards, February 10, 2008

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for beginning healthcare professionals, January 31, 2008

By 

Julia A. Eggert - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Different Kind of Kin: For Relatives of Persons with Autism (Paperback)

As faculty in a baccalaureate nursing program I found this book provided a different perspective for nursing students than "this is the disease, symptoms and treatment" typical of a nursing textbook. It offers a touching view inside a sister's heart and a poignant description of how the family is affected.

For nursing students this means helping them to easily "see" feelings that are sometimes difficult to query and then accurately interpret. This would be an excellent reading assignment for students in pediatrics and family oriented courses.

I enthusiastically encourage all faculty in Schools of Nursing to add this to their student's required reading lists.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read book for anyone interested in Autism, January 24, 2008

By 

MotherLodeBeth "MotherLodeBeth" (Sierras of California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Different Kind of Kin: For Relatives of Persons with Autism (Paperback)

Awesome book!!

Especially since it deals with her sister and as ABC noted in a piece this week, there is so little coverage of females with Autism. Most stories deal with males.

Chapter Ten also shows how far we have come when it comes to mental health issues, since in the past most children with Autism may have had parents who were told by doctors or teachers that the only place for the child was an institution or state hospital. One can only imagine what parents went thru when told to do something like this to a seven year old child which was the age of Jan the authors sister.

Pages 108-110 have some excellent suggestions for parents as well as the whole family. A must read book for anyone interested in Autism.

Especially those who have friends with a family member with autism because the authors firsthand experiences are like a great for helping you be a better friend to the family.