Siblings and Autism

It has something for everyone… It’s the academia to xenophobia of autistic tales The book uses siblings of children with autism as sources of these tales, who are incredibly diverse in terms of their professions, approaches to the storytelling, and cultural perspectives. While themes vary from story to story, they are never over serious or over pious. The collection is here to remind us of the multiple faces of autism… as a description of sibling experience and role in autism, autism development, and intervention, and these are “things” I needed to know. – Journal of Autism Developmental DisordersSiblings and Autism: Stories Spanning Generalisations and Cultures is the collected tales written by siblings of children with autism, told now by those siblings in their adulthood. It has something for everyone, including tales of institutionalisation as seen from the outside (Visiting Becky), to culture clashes (Life with Runi), to blood oxygenation (Autism Connects Us). It’s the academia to xenophobia of autistic tales. The book uses siblings of children with autism as sources of these tales, who are incredibly diverse in terms of their professions, approaches to the storytelling, and cultural perspectives. While themes vary from story to story, they are never over serious or over pious. The collection is here to remind us of the multiple faces of autism. – Journal of Autism and Developmental DisordersIt is very readable, the different approaches to story telling is like unwrapping a sweet and never knowing what will be inside, but knowing you will like it nonetheless. – AS TeensThere is much to recommend and to learn in this important collection of voices. – Handicaps InfoMoving and true-to-life, the essays are troubling and yearning, full of fear and also hope and in many cases, full of love and understanding too. A book for the whole family. – healthyBooksEditors Debra Cumberland and Bruce Mills have compiled a moving collection of sixteen narratives by authors growing up with siblings who have autism… There is much to recommend and to learn in this important collection of voices. In “This Night Will Pass,” Thomas Caramagno poetically reflects upon the development of his brother, whose family sought effective intervention and support: “Joe David has blossomed. As I look back over the years, I realize he had been slowly blossoming all along. It was I who underestimated him, and myself, for the capacity to find solace simply in being oneself.” May this memorable set of stories help others do likewise. – ForeWord ReviewsI really appreciate that this book addresses the siblings of Autistic kids. They are often overlooked and they need support in their unique role. I love that this book acknowledges that their lives ARE different from many of their friends. Having a sibling with Autism certainly changes the dynamic of a family. I enjoyed reading from the many different perspectives and seeing the unique ways in which various people coped with their Autistic siblings. I thought the book was well written and easy to understand. – Tara’s View on Books Blog

Anne Clinard Barnhill lives in North Carolina. She has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and has published hundreds of features and reviews, and several short stories in a variety of newspapers and magazines.