Voices from the Spectrum: Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, People With Autism, And Professionals Share Their Wisdom [Paperback]

Cindy N. Ariel (Author, Editor), Robert A. Naseef (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1843107864 | ISBN-13: 978-1843107866 | Publication Date: January 31, 2006

"Voices from the Spectrum" is a compelling collection of personal accounts from people on the autism spectrum and those who care for them, including professionals, friends and family members. The broad scope of this book presents insights into the autism spectrum from many different perspectives - from first-hand accounts of the autistic child's school and childhood experiences to parents' and grandparents' reactions to a diagnosis. A number of chapters written by professionals explain their motivations for working with autistic people and reveal what they have learned from their work and how it has affected their lives. The contributors describe experiences of autism from the mildest to the most severe case, and share their methods of adapting to life on the spectrum.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert A. Naseef, Ph.D., is a psychologist, author, and father of an adult child with autism. His book Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Parenting a Child with a Disability has received international recognition. Cindy N. Ariel, Ph.D., is a psychologist in independent practice. She is the co-founder and director of Alternative Choices, a group psychotherapy practice which provides information, referral, and guidance to families that include a member with special needs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub (January 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843107864
• ISBN-13: 978-1843107866
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #937,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Idea, February 11, 2006

By 

Suz "treadingwater" (Freeland, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Voices from the Spectrum: Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, People With Autism, And Professionals Share Their Wisdom (Paperback)

This book is a great idea... parents, grandparents, siblings, people with autism, and professionals share their wisdom... or at least their feelings and memories. Admittedly wisdom sounds much better.

I would recommend this book to anyone apart from myself... it is useful and relevant and with over 60 personal accounts from a diverse range of people it is a handy and good value guide to the range of perspectives that can be found on this subject... but it just wasn't my thing. Strictly speaking I avoid books written by parents of kids on the spectrum. As an adult with Asperger syndrome who can remember what it was like to be a kid with Asperger syndrome, most parents attitudes just make me cringe.

It's not that I don't think what they have to say is valid, it's just if they don't make me nauseous with their saccharin sweet melodrama they usually offend me with their subtle and misguided bigotry. I have to say though, most of the ones in this book weren't that bad, but it is still not my first choice of reading matter.

I was always going to be a tough audience to appeal to for this book, which is 60% from the family's perspective, 22% from a professional perspective, and just 18% from an autistic perspective. Overall though it was sensitively and thoughtfully done, so even though this was just a 3 star experience for me, it gets a recommendation of 4.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Voice of Wisdom and Understanding, May 8, 2006

By 

Susan Moreno for ASD - See all my reviews

This review is from: Voices from the Spectrum: Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, People With Autism, And Professionals Share Their Wisdom (Paperback)

In my work as the Editor of a large, international newsletter for parents of individuals on the autism spectrum, I read about 6 books each month on individuals with ASD, their families, new therapies and research. This book is absolutely superb. Dr. Naseef's essay as a parent is one of the most porfound, realistic and positive I've read in my 24 years of service to the autism community and in my 34 years as the parent of a woman with autism. The variety of essays and perspectives sets this book apart from all others.
Susan J. Moreno, M.A.
President, MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome
Editor, The MAAP newsletter

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent information and isights, April 21, 2006

By 

herman "herman" (philadelphia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Voices from the Spectrum: Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, People With Autism, And Professionals Share Their Wisdom (Paperback)

After reading Voices from the Spectrum, I purchased 20 copies for each member of our Board of Trustees. Their uniform response was, "I never realized that. . . ." The public needs to be educated and informed about the effect of ASD on various members of society, and this book depicts that very well. Thanks to the editors for presenting such comprehensive, varied experiences.