Customer Reviews

Through the Eyes of Aliens: A Book About Autistic People

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Finally, there is a book written which describes autism as positive, as something beautiful. I am autistic, and have been waiting a long time for someone to say, in print, that I am acceptable as who I am. In a world where autism is usually (even by many autistics) considered a "defect", this is highly unusual and highly necessary.

O'Neill explains autism as not meaning that a person is defective, but about being a different kind of person. She says that autistic people should not be forced to appear like non-autistic people, and that we should be respected as our own people. She even states, in her chapter on communication, that autistic people should never be forced to speak. This affected me personally, because speech is very difficult for me, and I had always been told that it was the best and only way to communicate. She talks very poetically about the beauty of living as an autistic, a beauty which I have never before seen so well described in words.

In her epilogue directed toward autistics, she urges autistics to not forget who they are, and to take pride in who they are and in being autistic. This is a very important message, because autistics are told from almost all other sources that there is something wrong with us.

I now carry this book everywhere with me. It is the only concrete object I have which tells me that it is good to be autistic -- good to be myself.

This book is very important, because it says that autistics have a right to be who we are, and a right to be autistic, unobstructed by "therapies" which seek to make us look more normal. It eloquently captures the beauty inherent in autism, like nothing else I have read.

As an autistic man myself, with a published autobiography, I should like to take this opportunity to recommend, in the strongest possible terms, this, another book from Jessica Kingsley Publishers. It is "Through the Eyes of Aliens" by Jasmine Lee O'Neill.

I had ordered a copy for myself because, I must admit, the title fascinated me. (It correlated with a major point that I made in my own book.) It turned out to be the most rewarding purchase I have made in I don't know how long.

In reading it, I was, at first, conscious of many differences in the view of autism between her and me. Then, as I read on, I realized that it was a difference only in perception, not in substance. We saw the same thing, but from different standpoints. Yet, although we had written independently (I had never heard of her until I saw her announcement in the catalogue next to mine), my mind boggled at how many of the same observations we made, even, at times, to using the same words.

Our writing styles may be quite different, but I attribute that to the fact that, whereas I am a mathematician, she is a poet. I tend to do a logical development of ideas to get to a point, and I categorize a great deal. I seem to ask, "Where might I be wrong? If so, show me." Her approach is much more intuitive, but she often makes a point (very briefly, through her choice of words) that I go through substantial analysis to make, but she does so in a more vivid manner than I could. A typical response to her might be, "Who couldn't agree with that?" On more than one occasion, my response was the greatest adulation that one writer can give to another: "I would have loved to have written that."

Another difference of note is that my realization of being autistic is something I have come to quite recently, while she seems to have always known of that in herself. I often talk of my discovery as being "liberating". However, that is mostly in finding out why I could never find the right size round hole for myself, and, as a result, at long last, of being able to start digging my own square hole. She obviously experiences a joy in being as she is, in a way that I might not have enough years left to achieve. She also, unlike myself, has been able to develop many specific nuts-and-bolts suggestions on how the non-autistic (especially parents) can and should relate to the autistic, while I mostly deal in overviews and generalities geared to giving insights (which is a specialty of the mathematician), leaving such details to the parents themselves.

A major point that she makes, better than anyone, is that autistic people have the capability of making their lives beautiful, if they are only allowed to be what they are.

I should like to wrap this up by saying a bit more about her approach and about her writing style. First, her book is not autobiographical. Mine had to be, because I related my discovery to previously unexplained things in my past life. Yet, in reading many of the things that she wrote, I was able to increase my insights into myself. In addition, from the feedback that I have gotten from the parents of autistic kids, my book has helped to put their minds at ease about their kids. Her book should put their hearts at ease.

For those involved with autistic people, or those who simply want to know more about this misunderstood disability, Jasmine's book is required reading.

This book has captured beautifully the essence of what life is like for the Autistic person. It explains autism with a clarity and understanding that I have yet to come across and I have done extensive reading on the subject. As a mother of an Autistic son, the author has openned my eyes to so many ideas and thoughts, I guess the main one being love my child for who he is not what he has. This book is excellent for the lay person or the professional. It explains the concept of "AUTISM" in a profoundly simple manner that is both helpful and uplifting. It shows that these children do grow to become happy adults that can contribute significantly to the world and lead full and happy lives. A wonderful book written by a wonderful human being.

Ms. O'Neill gave me a chance to see and feel some of the things my beautiful 6 year old son does. He is Autistic and truly a gift. The words to thank Ms. O'Neill for this opportunity of letting this "big worlder" inside my sons private world, escape me. I had highlighter ready and used it often. I will refer back to many passages for years to come.
I was unable though, to give this the highest rating due to the very personal experiences and generalization of them for all autistics the author gave. I felt the authors pain from past discriminations and crule treatment especially in a public school setting. My son is now in 1st grade and fully mainstreamed. He is obviously different to the other children. The kids in his kindergarten class last year and now in 1st grade are nothing but affectionate, kind, patient and understanding. I do not feel it is wrong to mainstream some Autistics. They are individuals and each situation is unique. What is good for one may not be for another.
I also believe this book may not be for the parent of a newly diagnoised child especially if the child is very young. There are portions of the book that are hard to handle for even the experienced parent like myself. What I mean by "handle" is Ms. O'Neills statements that lead me to think she is totally against any intervention at all. While some parents might be looking for the "cure", which in my opinion is pointless and also is denying your childs special gifts , others want to help their child learn to deal with the big world around them. Our goal should be to find a balance. We should give them all chances of being able to cope with life, possibly become independent and to rejoice in who they are and what a gift they are to us and the world.
I encourage you to read this book, though I caution any reader who might not understand this is one persons experiences and may not reflect all Autistics lives.

To really understand autism, it is necessary to read an autobiography of an autistic. If you liked Temple Grandin and Donna Williams, you will love this one. This is the most comprehensive discussion of the sensory issues I have found so far from any of the autistic authors. O'Neill is a wealth of information. This book is clearly written, in a simple and concise format. You will read this one over and over. Bravo!!

Written in a down to earth, easy to understand manner Jasmine Lee O'Neill's - Through the Eyes of Aliens gives parents the information they truly need the most. The author leaves no stone unturned covering all the most important issues from sensory to social issues and more.Out of all the books I have ever read it makes the most sense. If I could choose one book for someone just starting out or trying to make sense of all the information out there this would be it.

I am Autistic, and I love this book. Autism is not a condition, it is a personality type. This book succeeds in making that point. This book is all about acceptance of the Autistic individual, a refreshing change from books about eradicating Autism from the face of the earth. I would also recommend "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau. I believe that it is another book about how an Autistic person views the world. It is of my own opinion that I think he was Asperger's Syndrome.

I will struggle to find words to describe this book, though I can say I think it is beautiful and it is one of my favourites. This is such a lovely, strong, positive look at the autistic experience. It is practical and well informed, realistic, and yet inspirational. I don't know what else to say other than read it, and perhaps a warning... as a person on the spectrum myself, during and after reading this book I felt so much more relaxed and comfortable about being me that I felt even more disconnected than ever from the neurotypical people with whom I must share my life. This book is not just a book for autistic people though... it will give invaluable insight and advice to anyone who wants to see 'through the eyes of aliens'.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BECAUSE OF THE AUTHORS ATTUTUIDE. SHE IS ATISTIC HERSELF. SHE GIVES AN ACCEPTEING ATTUTUDIE. I REALLY AGREE WITH HER POINTS.