The Fabric of Autism: Weaving The Threads Into A Cogent Theory [Paperback]

Judith Bluestone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2004

In The Fabric of Autism: Weaving the Threads into a Cogent Theory, Judith Bluestone combines her personal autistic experience with academic research and 35 years of clinical practice to craft a unique and compelling view of the phenomenon called autism.

Bluestone’s book is both a significant clinical work and a moving memoir that illuminates the humanity beneath the bewildering facade of autism. Infused with rare, hard-won insights into the etiology of autistic behaviors, this book weaves the various threads of autism into a sensible theory while simultaneously offering practical tools for strengthening the interactive system of body-brain-mind-spirit. Neuroscientific research, knowledge of developmental processes, and clinical outcomes shed light on probable causes of autism.

The Fabric of Autism will take its readers on a riveting journey into the world of individuals whose lives are influenced by ASD, most of whom have achieved significant improvements in their communication, general functionality and quality of life with the help of HANDLE®—Holistic Approach to NeuroDevelopment and Learning Efficiency. The maladaptive behaviors others see as symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Bluestone considers the body’s language—its communication system. These behaviors represent core neurodevelopmental weaknesses that respond to consistent, gentle, progressive reorganization through the neuroscientifically sound HANDLE approach. As the creator of HANDLE and the Founder and Clinical/Educational Director of The HANDLE Institute, Bluestone has helped countless individuals with ASD achieve more functional lives.

The Fabric of Autism shows us that compassion, understanding, and intuition can co-exist with neuroscience, as it provides a new view and appreciation of the complex neurological dysfunction labeled autism. It also provides a number of practical suggestions that are helping a growing number of individuals and families in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Israel and South Africa to resolve many of their challenges and attain functional, adaptive, responsible lives.

The Fabric of Autism is significant reading particularly for all parents and professionals interested in Autism Spectrum Disorders, and it is valuable for those struggling to understand numerous other disorders of communication and learning.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Parents will find The Fabric of Autism particularly valuable, as it provides a range of options and insights." -- Professor Tony Attwood, Author of Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals

"Read The Fabric of Autism and be inspired!" -- Cindy Reuter, ND, LAc, RD, Naturopathic Physician, Licensed Acupuncturist, Registered Dietitian

"The Fabric of Autism is engrossing, touching the nerve of everything taking place in our current cultural crisis of childhood." -- Joseph Chilton Pearce, Author of Magical Child, Evolution's End, and The Biology of Transcendence

About the Author

Judith Bluestone, who herself triumphed over the challenges of autism, understands the reality faced by individuals on the autism spectrum and by their families. From her work as an advocate, teacher, therapist, and lecturer, she created the Holistic Approach to NeuroDevelopment and Learning Efficiency (HANDLE), and later established The HANDLE Institute in Seattle, WA. At seminars and conferences around the world, Bluestone has presented her paradigm for understanding human functioning, and has published widely on behavioral and learning challenges. Her recent honors include the 2001 Distinguished Alumni Award of Case-Western Reserve University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: The HANDLE Institute (May 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972023518
• ISBN-13: 978-0972023511
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,810,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read, July 13, 2004

By 

Marlene C. Suliteanu (Oceanside, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fabric of Autism: Weaving The Threads Into A Cogent Theory (Paperback)

I commend Judith Bluestone's "The Fabric of Autism: Weaving the Threads into a Cogent Theory" with vigorous enthusiasm. It is a truly awesome book, leading the reader into the maze of internal disorganization experienced by someone with autism - and out of the maze too! That's what makes the book so remarkable. No one has ever done that, to my knowledge. Lots of authors look segmentally at autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and suggest correspondingly segmentalized treatment. This author views (and shares!) the whole.

Judith Bluestone combines profound logic and creative genius to EXPLAIN autism - not just ferreting out composite causes, not just describing the spectrum: from the "inside" of her own life experiences and from the "outside" of a gentle, wise, compassionate teacher and therapist, she explains autism for everyone. And she goes even one step further: she links the industrialized world's epidemic of disordered neurodevelopment - seen in ADHD, learning disabilities, Tourette's Syndrome, bipolar disorder, depression - to phenomena comparable to the extreme of autism. So this book affords insights applicable beyond the autism spectrum, too.

This is a must-read book for anyone who cares about enabling individuals to cope with life's challenges. Anyone who loves someone on the autism spectrum, anyone who teaches or treats someone with an ASD, anyone who has devoted time and energy to studying ASD, will turn a corner into vision: they will SEE autism. And will thereby see the human being struggling, whole.

Congratulations to Judith Bluestone for an awesome job!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars more than just a book, October 26, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Fabric of Autism, Weaving The Threads Into A Cogent Theory (Paperback)

I read the book quite some time ago and don't remember much of the details. All I know is that it convinced me to give the Handle approach a chance - to give my son a chance in life. We are in the fifth month of a Handle program directly under the author Judith Bluestone.
My son has changed so drastically within the last five months. I am very faithful to the exercises because I see the results which include being able to hear and see at the same time, being able to smell, being able to process sequences of sounds, being able to follow more than two commands, being able to use fingers on one hand without the other hand moving, becoming more social etc etc etc (My son is six years old).
The book comes with exercises to try so you can get an idea of what a full Handle program would be like.
I would like to add that my husband has a PhD in physics and works for NASA. He is very research orientated but when it comes to the Handle program, he just says "whatever you are doing, just keep going!"

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Common Thread, October 18, 2005

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Fabric of Autism: Weaving The Threads Into A Cogent Theory (Paperback)

This is an excellent book that helps to emphasize that people on the autism/Asperger's (a/A) continuum have many common threads with their neurotypical (NT) counterparts. I want more books like this. I find that message positive, affirming and very helpful indeed.

Bluestone does a brilliant job of combining a personal account with clinical research. When you get right down to it, all people have some common traits/aspects/behaviors with their a/A counterparts. The common thread is quite strong; it comes through in the beautiful, bright primary colors that make up the a/A enigma puzzle. Bluestone's research does a lot to unravel the enigma by providing logical explanations for sensory issues and behavioral responses to same.

I think this book deserves a place of honor among all professionals, parents and lay people. We all need this book!