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AUTISM AND THE GOD CONNECTION. REDEFINING THE AUTISTIC EXPERIENCE THROUGH EXTRAORDINARY ACCOUNTS OF SPIRITUAL GIFTEDNESS by William Stillman. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks, 2006. Pp. xiv + 240. $14.95 (paperback). ISBN-10: 1-4022-0649-6.
Autism and the God Connection is a combination of autobiography, information, and support for caregivers of autistic children, and anecdotal psychic experiences of autistic children and their caregivers. I found the book most compelling in reading about the variety and types of psychic experiences that autistic children have reported.
Neither Louisa Rhine's files of anecdotal reports sent to her by the lay public nor the scientific parapsychological literature to date reports more than a few anecdotal reports regarding this population. Consequently, the reader is given an interesting and unique window into children's experiences by a special population. In fact, the author states that his purpose for pursuing this topic "is to enlighten others about a unique and glorious facet of the autistic experience" (p. 12), as well as to shatter "myths and stereotypes about such experiences being a product of intellectual impairment or mental illness" (p. 12).
The author categorizes himself as having autism, specifically Asperger's Syndrome, which is at the higher end of the autism spectrum. Such individuals often have high intelligence and good verbal skills but also experience learning disabilities and gross and/or fine motor difficulties, along with social and behavioral difficulties. Autism as the author defines it is "a neurological difference in how the brain is 'wired'" (p.l). There is no definitive cause for autism, although genetic and environmental factors come into play. Autism affects the ability to communicate effectively and understandably, with pervasive developmental delays across physical, emotional, and social realms (p. 2) . At the lower end of the autism spectrum, intellectual ability and the ability to communicate verbally are significantly impaired, along with significant physical impairment necessitating use of a wheelchair. These children require the use of special communication boards to help facilitate contact.
Stillman chronicles his experiences growing up with Asperger's, and the ensuing social/relational difficulties he encountered that resulted in significant emotional trauma for him. But he also chronicles the successes he has had in spite of his difficulties. He has been able to use his experiences to...