Customer Reviews

The Jumbled Jigsaw: An Insider's Approach to the Treatment of Autistic Spectrum `Fruit Salads'

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It took me well over a year to read Jumbled Jigsaw, not because there is anything wrong with the book, but because there is so much right with it. Williams is original in her perspective (I've read shelves full of books on autism, none like this) and incredibly insightful. If you have a child on the autism spectrum with one or more co-occurring diagnosis, you are likely to find each page dense with provocative information and ideas. Such a book cannot be breezed through quickly, it takes time to really go through it in bite size, digestable pieces. It also need not be read cover-to-cover but instead by picking and choosing chapters relevant to your situation.

This is an excellent book for parents, educators and other professionals who teach/live/work with people who have autism.

The "jumbled jigsaw" is what is so sadly misunderstood and mislabelled by many; sadly, many such "experts" apply the Procrustean Bed tactics to the autistic population. This helps none and hurts all.

Raun Kaufman, the child for whom "Son-Rise" and "Son-Rise II: The Miracle Continues" was written, said in "Son-Rise II" that "expert" is the biggest misnomer for that very reason above. He was diagnosed with severe autism in infancy and for the first nearly three years of his life displayed behavior suggestive of Kanner's Autism. Early intervention turned the tide for Raun; now an adult, he has no residual behaviors or tendencies of this neurobiological condition. He is also currently the CEO of a company.

Raun rightfully points out that had many people listened to these so called "experts" who recommended institutionalizing people with autism, many rays of light and hope would never shine. Raun Kaufman; Walker Stacey; Gunilla Gerland; Sean Barron; Tony Randazzo; Ben Levinson; Jeremy Kephart; Ryan Hamilton; Georgiana Thomas; Donna Williams and countless others whose stories we don't know have provided the Voice of Hope for many. Each of these above people had or still have autism to varying degrees; each have either written or have been the subject of biographies about living with autism. Each one of these people and countless others have lent their voices; their experiences and their explanations of autism so as to help encourage tolerance. Donna Williams and her scholarly books, this included have certainly helped move that process along. Had the so called experts' advice been followed, think of the loss we would all be suffering today. Just read Annabelle Stehli's books about people who have been successfully treated with Auditory Integration Therapy and who are no longer autistic; Karyn Seroussi's and Lynn Hamilton's sons were successfully treated with a special diet as was Tony Randazzo, who had an allergy to milk. Patricia Stacey's son Walker Stacey and two of Catherine Maurice's children were eased of the autism spectrum with ABA and Floor Time. Jane McDonnell's son Paul ("News From the Border") offers his own insights into living with autism; he was helped by general acceptance from others and his own desire to adapt to the neurotypical world. Paul was informally treated with ABA; he was able to see what constituted acceptable behavior, yet at the same time recognize his autistic tendencies and keep them in check. This is still another valuable book that the world at large needs.

The point is, autism is as varied as there are individuals who have it and so the approaches have to be tailored to meet each individual's needs. Instead of dismissing people with autism as their label, Ms. Williams has once again brilliantly demonstrated how important it is to encourage talents and interests. She is married; an artist and author as well as having a plethora of credentials. Her works are valuable and needed; this book deserves a place of honor.

At present the count is 1 in every 150 births...autism is on the rise. There is a real need for literature like this and the sensible approaches that Ms. Williams has written about here and in her other works. Autism does effect everybody on Planet Earth - whether or not you have autism, there is a 100% chance that you are related to someone who does or work with someone who does or just know somebody on the spectrum. Autism is an in-your-face condition that is all the more prominent due to the increase in statistics.

Institutionalizing people creates a silent underclass. It appears to do no good and is not an effective method in "treating" autism. Autism is not a mental illness; it is a sensory neurobiological condition that affects sensory responses and language. I've beaten on the Different Drum for years to get that message across and Donnna Williams brilliantly accomplishes that in her books.

Be sure to read this and buy some extra copies to give to others. We all need it.

This fascinating and insightful book can only be described as a guide and "wake up call" for everyone.

Despite the "experts" imposing severity labels on Autism that are then used by the education community to direct intervention and expectation as well as outcomes, their lack of understanding of the "jumbled jigsaw" and the personality and individuality of the Autistic person has doomed their system to failure.

For example if one simply provided one of these "experts" the diagnostic presentation of the author, Donna Williams at various points in her life, without them being aware of her "outcome", the current diagnostic criteria who have resulted in low expectations and a life relegated to an "institutionalized" existence.

Instead, Ms Williams is married and is a successful author, sculptor, artist etc. Ms. Williams serves as the symbol of what really is possible and she took the time to write down what worked and what did not so many mistakes can be avoided : With appropriate assistance, the autistic person has the best chance to become all they would have been if the symptoms of what others call the persons "autism" were minimized.

The truth being ,the symptoms have multiple treatable etiologies ,that vary from day to day and an "inside out approach" offers the best chance these individuals have.at leading a "normal" (whatever that is) life..

1 in 166 births.

The failure of the education and support systems/institutions to foster TRUE INDEPENDENCE in this population will result in not just a moral and ethical crisis in the very near future but an economic one as well. If changes in the current thinking about Autism do not occur, more institutions at public expense will have to be created to care for this ever-increasing population.

Autism affects everyone directly or indirectly and the confusion over what part of what society calls "Autism" is the gift and what part of autism is the difference/personality inherent in the individual has resulted in many inappropriate ineffective treatments and wasted opportunity for thousands of individuals.

Read it and learn then pass it on

Monica in California