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

~ Cindy N. Ariel (Editor), (Editor)
Key Phrases: autism community, many children with autism, autism spectrum, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, New Jersey, Autism Spectrum Disorder (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"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.

From the Back Cover

Advance Praise for Voices from the Spectrum:

"Voices from the Spectrum is a symphony of rich density… At times easy to read and at times the kind of reading that leaves lumps in the throat and thuds in the heart, [it] is always honest and genuine. I whole-heartedly recommend it." — Liane Holliday Willey, Ed.D., author of Pretending to be Normal and Asperger Syndrome in the Family

"…a masterful collection of essays…it is uniformly poignant, often brutally honest and always uplifting. … Voices from the Spectrum is the first comprehensive collection of personal experiences that encompasses the tragedy, the mystery and the gifts of autism." — Lawrence W. Brown, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

"…a gem of a book… These carefully edited essays present a rich portrait of families as they come to grips with the vicissitudes of autism. They reflect a kaleidoscope of perspectives, emotions and coping mechanisms that will help readers sort out their path as they come to grips with the challenges of this disorder." — Milton Seligman, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh, Co-author of the forthcoming third edition of Ordinary Families, Special Children

"Cindy Ariel and Robert Naseef have put together a unique collection of first-hand accounts of the autistic spectrum, providing a voice for parents, grandparents, and siblings, as well as people with Asperger’s Syndrome. These voices complement the professional perspective and teach us how autism feels to each of these observers. A rare anthology." — Simon Baron-Cohen, Professor, Autism Research Centre, Cambridge, UK

"This book gave me the unique experience of seeing ‘behind the scenes’ with a view of the impact on families of the diagnosis, treatment and interactions with treating professionals. I recommend that you put this book on your list of required reading for family, friends, colleagues and trainees to improve care of children and families with autistic spectrum disorder." — Susan E. Levy, MD, Director, Regional Autism Center The Children’s Seashore House of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

"Voices from the Spectrum is a beautiful collection of personal essays. A must read for any parent struggling to accept and embrace the diagnosis. This book gives you a rare and heartfelt glimpse of personal journeys of parents, grandparents, siblings, professionals, and adults affected by autism who have found peace of mind, joy in their life, and tremendous personal growth in the process." — Nancy D. Wiseman, Founder and President, First Signs, Inc. and author of Could It Be Autism? A Parent’s Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps

The editors are pledging all of the royalties from this volume to UNICEF.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers; illustrated edition edition (January 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843107864
• ISBN-13: 978-1843107866
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 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.com Sales Rank: #192,743 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Suz "treadingwater" (Britain) - See all my reviews

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.

8 of 8 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

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

7 of 7 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

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.