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Summary
Summary
One in 68 US children have an autism spectrum disorder, and with countless parenting books helping families care for children with special needs, Autism and the God Connection is the crucial, spiritual look at understanding a child with autism. Helping parents realize their child's unique spirit and reaffirm that every one of us is a blessing, this is an inspirational resource to discovering the intellect, beauty, and complexities of children with autism.
Through countless interviews, William Stillman documents extraordinary examples of spiritual giftedness, and boldly challenges our traditionally held beliefs about people with disabilities. Readers will discover hope, comfort, inspiration, and love through these affirming anecdotes of ordinary families.
Author Notes
William Stillman is the author of Demystifying the Autistic Experience: A Humanistic Introduction for Parents, Caregivers, and Educators, which has been highly praised by the autism self-advocacy community. His other titles include The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Asperger's Syndrome: Help, Hope, and Guidance and The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Bipolar Disorder: Professional, Reassuring Advice to Help You Understand and Cope. Stillman also writes a column, "Through the Looking Glass," for the national quarterly magazine The Autism Perspective and is on the publication's advisory board.
As an adult with Asperger's Syndrome, a mild "cousin" of autism, Stillman's message of reverence and respect has touched thousands through his acclaimed autism workshops and private consultations. His national television appearances include CNN Medical News and the Maury Povich Show. Stillman has a BS in Education from Millersville University in Pennsylvania, and has worked to support people with different ways of being since 1987. He was formerly the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Mental Retardation's statewide point person for children with intellectual impairment, mental health issues, and autism. Stillman is at the forefront of the autism self-advocacy movement and is founder of the Pennsylvania Autism Self-Advocacy Coalition, which endeavors to educate and advise state and local government, law enforcement, educators, and the medical community. He serves on Pennsylvania's Autism Task Force and is on several autism and Asperger's advisory boards including the Youth Advocate Programs' National Autism Advisory Committee. Stillman has collaborated with Temple University to develop a relationship-based curriculum for Youth Advocate Programs which will set the national standard by which mental health workers will be trained to support children and adolescents with autism. He is also the coordinator for a Pennsylvania-based meeting group of individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Stillman is coauthor of several successful books about his life-long passion, The Wizard of Oz. He website address is www.williamstillman.com.
Reviews (3)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Stillman?s latest volume about autism hovers startlingly close to the edge of reason (or, arguably, abandons reason entirely) and invokes a cosmic cornucopia of ghosts, spirits, angels, miracles and past lives to make the case that ?the seemingly sudden and mysterious surge of children identified with autism ?is our Creator?s purposeful plan to refocus us on the importance of reverence for all of humanity.? Tales of telepathy, direct communication with animals, spirit interaction, mind reading and previous lives abound. This barrage of hokum distracts from the touching stories of connecting with autistic people, and though he writes gently, Stillman, who has Asperger?s Syndrome, mixes unsettling and unbelievable stories with summaries of scientific research and clinical studies. Some open-minded readers may value the idiosyncratic point of view, but claims like, ?His grandmother?s deteriorated physical state, while in the final stages of Alzheimer?s here on earth, was of no consequence when it came to contacting Justin? and, ?[I]t certainly makes good sense that telepathy is one such mode of communication [available to autistic people]? strain the author?s credibility. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Booklist Review
In certain cultures, people with illnesses affecting the ability to communicate are thought to be visited by spirits. The sufferer may be regarded as a messenger for a deity, an anointed one to be revered and honored. Sadly, Western culture often relegates those diagnosed with autism and related disorders to the ranks of the incurably crippled. Worse, almost everyone, from family members to friends to primary caregivers, too easily writes off the intelligence of a person who has difficulty speaking. So written off, the sufferer is discounted and ignored. Stillman, who has Asperger's syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism, speaks out on behalf of the wisdom of considering people with autism as not just intelligent but also highly spiritual. Drawing on testimony from dozens of parents, teachers, and autistic individuals, he builds a solid case in favor of not just his mantra--always presume intelligence --but also of thinking that God's most challenged people possess a deep, abiding spirituality. --Donna Chavez Copyright 2006 Booklist
Library Journal Review
A writer with Asperger's syndrome, a mild version of autism, Stillman (Demystifying the Autistic Experience: A Humanistic Introduction for Parents, Caregivers, and Educators) treads a highly sensitive subject: the connection between autism and faith in God. Many parents of autistic children have taken a similar slant (see Lynne M. Hamilton's Facing Autism: Giving Parents Reasons for Hope and Guidance for Help and Catherine Maurice's Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family's Triumph over Autism). Stillman tries to shed light on the condition by tying together a wide variety of personal narratives (the best part of the book) with a broader spiritual message. While the conclusions might provide comfort for some, many, if not most, will find them insulting. Stillman cites the ability of autistics to connect better with animals, to offer "profound" messages when communicating, and to exhibit a sense of telepathy with those around them before concluding that people with autism are "messengers of God." Such a simplistic view contributes very little toward understanding autism. This book has extremely limited appeal and is not recommended for libraries.-Corey Seeman, Kresge Business Administration Lib., Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
