Soon Will Come the Light: A View from Inside the Autism Puzzle [Paperback]

Thomas A McKean (Author), R Wayne Gilpin (Editor), S L Cotton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1994

Winner of the Autism Society of America's Literary Achievement Award, this heartwarming book was one of the first autobiographies to provide unique insight into the world of autism. Tom McKean grew up in a confusion of misdiagnosis, spending years in an institution and finally journeying into adulthood, seeking answers. He finally comes to a "working truce" with the neurotypical world and discovers he has various talents in fields such as computers and technical design, in addition to his passion for writing. His challenges, discoveries, and successes will move you as his poetry, songs, and humor delight you.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Thomas A. McKean was diagnosed with autism late in his teens. His case was quite unique because, in a time when mostly severely affected people were being diagnosed with autism, he possessed the communication skills to tell others what it felt like to be behind the “wall." He had a “patchwork" education (which he credits for his writing skills) but he also has talents in other areas such as computers and design.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Future Horizons; 2 edition (July 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885477112
• ISBN-13: 978-1885477118
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,275,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable resource to parents of an autistic child., November 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Soon Will Come the Light: A View from Inside the Autism Puzzle (Paperback)

Thomas McKean gives great advice and valuable insight for parents of autistic children. He understands how parents try so hard to be helpful for their children, and sometimes fall short for lack of understanding. Thomas gives an insider's view of what autism feels like as a child and as an adult.

Thomas was a student of "The Child Whisperer" author Matt Pasquinilli. Mr. Pasquinilli has worked with children and adults challenged by austism and aspergers syndrome, and speaks about it in his book. Get "The Child Whisperer" for some great advice that compliments Thomas McKean's "Soon will come the Light."

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wish you could walk in your child with autism's shoes?, January 7, 2003

By 

Liane Gentry Skye, (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Soon Will Come the Light: A View from Inside the Autism Puzzle (Paperback)

"You can't know a man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins," is the best quote I can come up with to sum up the impact of "Soon Will Come the Light".

Thomas McKean has presented in this book the one thing that I always wished for, but few books could offer---the ability to walk in my children with autism's shoes for a while and perhaps gain a deeper understanding of what their world looks and feels like.

McKean's writing reveals loving, gentle, brilliant man with autism, and his book is a stereotype buster. He shows us that people with autism have worth and wisdom to share with the world. He teaches us both through his inspiring gifts as a poet, and with his "no holds barred" personal thoughts on many of the current intervention trends in autism, such as auditory integration.

Even better, Thomas' book shows us who he is, a precious human being who walked away from life in an institution and bravely learned to coexist and compensate for the often harrowing sensory issues that come with a diagnosis of autism.

This book is a must read. It is a story of survival, courage, and the strong realization that people with autism have much to contribute to this world.

Mr. McKean is to be applauded for this timeless contribution to literature on autism. I will hold this book dear for a very long time to come.

Liane Gentry Skye
author
Turn Around, Bright Eyes-Snapshots from a Voyage out of Autism's Silence

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving personal account of autism, May 21, 2004

By 

"goinggraymama" (Central PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soon Will Come the Light: A View from Inside the Autism Puzzle (Paperback)

I have had the pleasure of speaking with the author on AOL and after hearing about his book, I purchased it. His personal account of his life and dealing with the realization he had autism was extremely moving. I only hope that I can remember the things he went thru, the things he felt growing up, the sensory issues he continues to deal with....and be able to apply that knowledge to understanding my son <age 3> who has autism. I want to help my son make his journey thru life in such a way that their is no pain, limited frustration and in such a way that he is confident and happy in his world. Reading this book has helped me see a glimpse of my own son's thinking. Thanks Thomas for putting such a personal glimpse of your life in words!