Synopses & Reviews
In this thought-provoking book, William Stillman, an adult with Asperger's Syndrome, offers hope and real-world information for parents of children with autism. The author clears aside the common misperceptions of autism to reveal the truth: people with autism are intelligent, insightful, and inspired human beings entitled to participate and contribute to the fullest. He also shatters myths about high-cost therapies and "autism medications"grist for an industry that promotes a culture of fear about autism.
Praise for Empowered Autism Parenting
"William Stillman, with his sensitive and compassionate gift for understanding, explodes the 'myth of autism.'"Sally Patton, Ed.M.; author, Welcoming Children with Special Needs; executive director, The Creative Soul of Children, Inc.; and principle consultant/trainer, Embracing the Spirit of the Child
"William Stillman offers hope, understanding, and critical thinking for those who are affected by autism."Robin Rice, author, A Hundred Ways to Sunday
"Wonderful. . . . This book moves us into a new paradigm of understanding autism as neither pitiable nor tragic, but as another way of thinking, one that adds value to the world."Susan Senator, author, Making Peace with Autism
"This book is a valuable addition to the literature from the inside outimportant insights from someone who himself lives and thrives within the spectrum."Laurence A. Becker, Ph.D., Creative Learning Environments
"The new Dr. Spock for parents of children with autism." Frankie Picasso, CPC; certified master coach trainer; author, Midlife Mojo; and broadcaster, Champion for a Compassionate Consciousness
Review
"...for its suggestions of cultivating a healthier mindset, it’s a winner." -LibraryJournal.com (August 28, 2009)
“Hooray! Hooray! Finally a book that offers real hope and resources for parents of Autistic children to understand what their child is experiencing, and to make life for themselves and their child easier to manage. Mr. Stillman speaks from experience as a person living with Asperger's Syndrome and as an advocate for those on the spectrum who can't speak for themselves. An expert and passionate advocate for those with autism, William Stillman has written a commonsense guide for parenting children with autism. He believes that by giving those around the autistic child the information that they need to recognize their child's unique personality, will help liberate them from the culture of fear and the stigma so prevalent in our society. He demonstrates why the current methods that are used don't tend to work, and offers a ten-step guide for a better, more fulfilling relationship with children with autism. By believing that they are essentially competent to handle tasks, their lives are enriched and so are the lives of those around them.” --- Marta Hoelscher, BasilandSpice.com
“Empowered Autism Parents is thought-provoking. It offers hope and real-world information for parents of children with Autism. Stillman puts aside common misperceptions to reveal the truth: people with autism are intelligent, insightful and inspired-they just have a different way of showing their talents. And who would know better than someone who has spent his life advocating for himself and all those individuals who have been lucky enough to work with him?” --- Carine Nadal, Fabulously40.com
“Stillman, an adult with Asperger’s syndrome, encourages parents of children with autism to try to understand their child’s perspective of the disorder. He urges parents to discard a "fix-it" mentality and instead embrace their children as they are and to recognize their intelligence, and contribution to society, without viewing their difficulties or deficits as a hindrance. Stillman discounts the medical and diagnostic perceptions of autism to propose a reverence of those with differences and a desire to understand better their unique communication methods and insights.” --- Lisa M. Jordan, Library Journal
Synopsis
William Stillman, an adult with Asperger's Syndrome, presents his latest revolutionary and thought-provoking book, Empowered Autism Parenting, as a challenge to parents of children with autism to perceive their child's experience from a totally new and unique inside-out perspective by understanding the following:
Children with autism are intelligent but may have unconventional methods of communication--behaviors that need to be understood and appreciated Acknowledging your child's true intellect despite diagnoses to the contrary Realizing your own autisms to see why we are all more alike than different Why your child doesn't need traditional therapy or medication to treat autism How the autism industry perpetuates parental fear and guilt Understanding your non-verbal child's symbolic communications as legitimate ways of expression Identifying your child's passionate interests if he appears to have none Why the real autism epidemic has nothing to do with young children How those autism ribbons and public awareness cards can send the wrong message Understanding how your child best thinks, learns, and retains information. Ten ways to enrich the relationship with your child through a belief in competence
In his most candid work to date, Stillman also shatters myths about high-cost therapies and autism medications--grist for an industry that promotes a culture of fear about autism. Stillman clears aside the clinical and pathological perceptions of autism to reveal the truth: people with autism are intelligent, insightful and inspired human beings entitled to participate and contribute to the fullest.
Synopsis
How parents can appreciate their autistic children prevent them from being pathologized, over-medicated, and marginalized
In this groundbreaking book, William Stillman, an expert and passionate advocate on behalf of those with autism, offers a commonsense guide for parenting children with autism. He gives mothers and fathers, caregivers, and teachers the information they need to recognize the child with autism's unique personality, passions, and intellect and therefore liberate them from today's culture of fear. He shows why the current conventional incentive and reward systems send the wrong message to kids with autism and just don't work. This book offers a sensible ten-step guide for enriching relationships with kids with autism through a belief in their essential competence.
- Includes information that liberates parents from the culture of fear surrounding autism
- Explains how kids with autism are intelligent but may have unconventional methods of communication that need to be understood and appreciated
- Shows why your child doesn't need traditional therapy or medication to "treat" autism
- Written by an acclaimed expert on the topic of autism, who is himself an adult with Asperger's Syndrome
About the Author
William Stillman is a passionate activist, consultant, and author in the field of autism. He has devoted his life to advocating for individuals on the autism spectrum. He can be contacted at www.williamstillman.com.
Table of Contents
Foreword (Lu Hanessian).
Acknowledgments.
Introduction.
PART ONE: RECEIVING THE NEWS.
1. Could It Be Autism?
2. Healing and Acceptance.
PART TWO: ESTABLISHING A HEALTHY AND SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD.
3. Presuming Your Child’s Intellect.
4. Supporting and Interpreting Your Child’s Communication.
5. Your Child’s Acute Sensitivities.
PART THREE: CREATING RIPPLE EFFECTS.
6. Understanding and Using Person-First Perspectives.
7. Autism Advocacy and Self-Advocacy.
8. Future Pathways.
Appendix: Tools and Resources.
Prescription Medication Questionnaire.
Pain and Discomfort Inventory.
Sensory Sensitivity Inventory.
Organization and Specialist Web Sites.
Books for Further Reading.
Recommended Viewing.
About the Author.
Index.