Siblings: The Autism Spectrum Through Our Eyes

by Anne Van Rensselaer (Editor), Jane Botsford Johnson (Editor)

Overview

Growing up with a sibling on the autistic spectrum can be difficult, and the needs of a child with autism often overwhelm a family, leaving neurotypical children feeling overshadowed. For the first time, the 'neurotypical' siblings get to have their say. They recount the good, the bad, and the downright annoying in a way that all young people in a similar situation will immediately recognise.

Young siblings of all ages candidly recount how being 'the neurotypical one' can be tiring, frustrating, and lonely, but equally rewarding, and every story is injected with wisdom gained by young people who often have to grow up a lot more quickly than their peers.

This book is essential reading for children and teenagers with a sibling on the autistic spectrum, and for parents wishing to understand how autism in the family will affect their neurotypical child.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781849058292
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	05/15/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	5.43(w) x 8.43(h) x 0.24(d)

About the Author

Jane Johnson is the Managing Director of the Autism Research Institute, the co-author of Dr. Bryan Jepson's Changing the Course of Autism; A Scientific Approach for Parents and Physicians, and the co-editor, with Anne Van Rensselaer, of Families of Adults With Autism; Stories and Advice for the Next Generation. She lives in New York City with her husband and three children.

Anne Van Rensselaer has worked as a freelance editor, and as a book packager with Jane Lahr Enterprises in New York. Her true calling in life was to be the grandmother of three.

Table of Contents

Preface 7

Part I For Younger Children and Parents

1 Christopher Castaldi-Moller and Joshua Vazquez, Age 10 11

2 Carley Belknap, Age 9 17

3 Cassidy Parker Knight, Age 13 21

4 Maya Cassandra King, Age 10 25

5 Chandra Kelley-Robinson, Age 11 33

6 Alyssa Chmura, Age 19 35

7 Cami Poole, Age 1011/12 39

8 Ben Jepson, Age 13 42

9 Chelsea Lang, Age 17 45

10 Micah Quindazzi, Age 14 50

11 Anonymous, Age 34 54

12 Adam Barrett, Age 27 56

13 Missy Olive, Age41 59

Part II For Teenagers and Parents

14 Susannah Chandler, Age 22 71

15 Rebecca Sicile-Kira, Age 17 74

16 Jenna Cohen, Age 24 77

17 Lisa Cohen, Age 21 80

18 Hannah Burke, Age 15 82

19 Christine Hurd, Age 18 92

Editorial Reviews

I felt emotional through much of this book, in a bitter-sweet way because it exemplifies all that is wonderful about family... The message that having autism in the family brings out the best in each of us, permeates all the accounts and one senses it is genuine and not just a platitude. As the mother of someone on the spectrum I'd have to concur with each and every one of them. How proud all the parents must be of these children!

AS Teens

Most of the reports are upbeat and hopeful. They include lists of do's and don'ts or pros and cons, poems and lessons learned. Young people and parents growing up in a family where there is a child with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will gaining comfort, reassurance and knowledge from these stories... young people will enjoy the short, readable chapters. As one of the contributors, Alyssa says, "The most important job in life is not whatever career you pursue, but to be the best sibling you can be." This book will certainly help readers achieve this goal.

Youth in Mind

Siblings: The Autism Spectrum Through Our Eyes... is a good read for parents and young adult siblings of children with autism. It offers wisdom of those who have gone before to those now dealing with the issues of having a sibling with autism. It is a concise, 94-page book that will help readers truly understand and appreciate those on the spectrum and how their brothers and sisters perceive their both positive and not-so-positive experiences of having a sibling on the autism spectrum.

Journal of autism and Developmental Disorders

For the first time, the 'neurotypical' siblings get to have their say...This book is essential reading for children and teenagers with a sibling on the autistic spectrum, and for parents wishing to understand how autism in the family will affect their neurotypical child... 'Sibling - The Autism Spectrum Through Our Eyes' Edited by Jane Johnson and Anne Van Rensselaer is an anthology of what it is really like to be a brother or a sister to someone on the spectrum. The book is divided into 2 sections containing a total of 19 chapters. Each contributor has sufficient space to recall their experiences and to write about what they consider important. Too many books contain just snippets of opinions which the authors use to champion their own voice and because their statements are kept in context there is less likely to be any misrepresentations of their views...Although the book is written principally for siblings, it is actually also very relevant to parents who feel as if they are desperately failing their other children. The book will more than likely to reassure them. The stories in this book very much corroborate the impressions I have formed about the difficulties and benefits of being a sibling to someone on the spectrum... This account is perhaps more honest and realistic in that it acknowledges the frustrations, embarrassment, a sense of being hard done by without having to counter such comments with an immediate positive. The contributor also mentions the times when their sibling was teased or tormented and they failed to act through fear of themselves becoming victims. I felt that these normal human failings were as essential as the positive presentations. Children need to understand that they will sometimes behave in a way that makes them feel guilty or ashamed. However, once again, the most upsetting thing mentioned was when the contributor's brother was teased and misunderstood... I felt emotional through much of this book, in a bitter-sweet way because it exemplifies all that is wonderful about family. It is about the paramount gift we all have when we share our lives with someone of difference and are forced to learn to accept and love each other, just because we are family, and we have no choice and THAT ultimately is a tremendous gift. The message that having autism in the family brings out the best in each of us, permeates all the accounts and one senses it is genuine and not just a platitude. As the mother of someone on the spectrum I'd have to concur with each and every one of them. How proud all the parents must be of these children (including the grown up ones!)

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