Sibling Stories: Reflections on Life with a Brother or Sister on the Autism Spectrum [Paperback]

Lynne Stern Feiges (Author), Mary Jane Weiss (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1931282544 | ISBN-13: 978-1931282543 | Publication Date: March 1, 2004

Sibling relationships involving a brother or sister with an autism spectrum disorder can present enormous emotional challenges for everyone involved. This exceptional collection of deeply moving first-person excerpts from interviews with 20 siblings offers in-depth coverage of the issues of paramount concern to typical siblings like establishing boundaries and resentment. A chapter devoted to coping strategies is enhanced by end-of-chapter professional advice on how to maximize the sibling relationship.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The first-hand accounts of the siblings interviewed and the authorsÂ’ suggestions make this an invaluable resource. -- Nancy G. Richardson, Retired director of the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC), and the parent of two adult children, one who has autism and the other his loving, supportive sister

This book is an intriguing mixture of facts and experiences that will benefit both siblings and parents. -- Carolyn Bruey, Psy.D., Licensed psychologist, managing partner of Developmental Disabilities Resources

This book will be a great resource for all families who live with autism. --Cara Spencer, Ph.D., Assistant professor, Howard University

About the Author

MARY JANE WEISS has been working in the field of autism for 20 years, and received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers University in 1990. She is the Director of the Division of Research and Training at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center at Rutgers University. Her clinical and research interests center on identifying best practice, ABA techniques, evaluating the impact of ABA in learners with autism, and maximizing family membersÂ’ expertise and adaptation. She has written numerous articles and two books on autism (with Sandra Harris), Right From the Start and Reaching Out, Joining In: Teaching Social Skills to Young Children with Autism.

LYNNE STERN FEIGES grew up in New Jersey with three brothers, two of whom have developmental disabilities. A freelance writer and attorney, she lives out West with her husband and daughter.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Autism Asperger Publishing Company (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931282544
• ISBN-13: 978-1931282543
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,351,713 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wondeful, heartfelt and useful book!!!!, June 23, 2004

By 

C J S (Mercer Island, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sibling Stories: Reflections on Life with a Brother or Sister on the Autism Spectrum (Paperback)

In this book Lynn Feiges paints a realistic, devastating yet ultimately optimistic approach to coping with having a sibling on the Autism spectrum. In any time of crisis, one needs a friend who can empathize and share their common experiences. Feiges provides us with 20 such individuals who provide honest, (sometimes brutally so), voices with insights to various components of coping with a sibling on the Autism spectrum. The result is a compelling combination of narrative and first person interviews. A book that is both a reference source and a poignant portrait, Feiges provides compassion, realism and hope to anyone who is a sibling to an individual with a lifelong disability.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sibling Stories, November 26, 2004

By 

Carol S. Deaktor (boca raton, fl) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sibling Stories: Reflections on Life with a Brother or Sister on the Autism Spectrum (Paperback)

There seem to be few books that focus solely on the siblings of learning disabled children. I think this book would be very reaffirming for families with autistic children and could encourage discussion on difficult family issues. I also think that this book would be helpful to parents of children without learning disabilities. As a parent with 2 non-learning disabled children, I read this book to better understand sibling relationships in general. Many of those interviewed shared so much of their pain and joy. I found it very compelling and insightful. I could not put it down and read it in one evening. I really felt like I had met these people.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource Guide, May 31, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Sibling Stories: Reflections on Life with a Brother or Sister on the Autism Spectrum (Paperback)

Sibling Stories is an excellent compilation of information. It provides families and friends with invaluable resources including organizations and associations as well as a broad range of emotional perspectives that so many readers can relate to. The interviews are poignant and honest. As a sibling of a sister with a disability, I recognized myself in so many of the siblings interviewed in this book. Although Sibling Stories is about ASD, it is appropriate for any family member that has a sibling or child with a disability. This book is rich in content and emotion - a book to always keep readily available on your bookshelf!