Fragile Success: Nine Autistic Children, Childhood to Adulthood [Hardcover]

Virginia Walker Sperry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1997 | ISBN-10: 0208024131 | ISBN-13: 978-0208024138

If you have lived or worked with a child with autism, you've wondered what the child will be like as an adult - how the child will develop and learn to live independently. In this uncommon book, you'll get a rare view of autism in all its variations as former teacher Virginia Sperry traces the lives of her students over 30 years. As you follow the children into adulthood, you'll get firsthand facts about this developmental disability as witnessed by their teachers, medical professionals, social workers, and parents. These true case histories provide insight into the mystery and diversity of autism - how it affects the students' personal lives, social habits, work, and hobbies and how their conditions have changed over the years. In this second edition, the author revisits her students and updates you on their progress. You'll review their original evaluations and see test data collected in adulthood by Fred R. Volkmar, M.D., as well as detailed information about each person's life circumstances, living arrangements, vocation, and social interactions. Several of the case histories include parent commentaries detailing their child's condition and outcomes. You'll discover the recent strides made in the understanding of and medical treatments for autism and be inspired by these ten extraordinary people who have faced adversity and, for some, achieved a fragile success.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Virginia Sperry was Director of the Ives School from 1966 to 1972. Before then, she was affiliated with the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at Northern Arizona State University and she taught in both public and private schools. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 253 pages
• Publisher: Archon (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0208024131
• ISBN-13: 978-0208024138
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,289,316 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating read for educators, scary for parents, November 4, 2001

By 

bedrestmom (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fragile Success: Ten Autistic Children, Childhood to Adulthood, Second Edition (Paperback)

I think this book should come with a warning label for parents. This book may be fascinating and interesting, but it is too scary for parents. As an educator, I read with great interest. As a parent, it left me in tears, as I contemplated what adulthood would be like for my son with autism.
Our knowledge and understanding of autism has changed drastically since the sixties and seventies. It is heartbreaking to realize how the individuals in this book could have benefitted from some of the therapies and teaching strategies that our kids today are receiving.
I fail to see how this book can do anything for parents, but scare them. There is little correlation between autistic children raised and educated in the 60's and 70's and autistic children being raised and educated today. The addition of early childhood intervention alone is having a profound impact on the lives of children.
There are many other books that offer more insight and hope.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parents Should Read This Book, February 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Fragile Success: Ten Autistic Children, Childhood to Adulthood, Second Edition (Paperback)

This book is a must-read for anyone who is a parent or caregiver to a child with developmental problems such as mental retardation or autism. We would also recommend it to professionals who deal with such children and adults, as it includes the parent's perspective in dealing with handicapped offspring - something every professional should be aware of and sensitive to. As parents of a mildly retarded child with autism, we found this book to be extremely enlightening. People with handicapped children often feel that they are alone in dealing with their problems, and have no concept of how their child's life may develop as they grow older. Mrs. Sperry has done a wonderful job of chronicling the lives of several children with varying degrees of handicaps, from their early childhood to their present adult lives. It gives hope and understanding to the parent/caregiver, and assurance that others share their trials and triumphs, frustrations and dreams.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique, moving, stories of growth, December 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Fragile Success: Ten Autistic Children, Childhood to Adulthood, Second Edition (Paperback)

This collection of true case histories of children with autism who have grown to adulthood is a major contribution, and should be read by every parent of a child with autism, as well as by professionals who deal with childhood disabilities. I've seen no other book that follows children with autism for more than 30 years. The author is a former teacher who has followed the lives, habits, work, hobbies and social relations of her former pupils from pre-school to their late 30s or 40 years of age. The result is a fascinating, often moving, account of how they have come to terms with their disability and the world around them.