Autism and the God Connection: Redefining the Autistic Experience Through Extraordinary Accounts of Spiritual Giftedness by William Stillman

From the Publisher

A powerful, groundbreaking new book for anyone touched by autism!

Autism has captured the world's attention as the neurological disorder that impacts one out of every 166 children-ten times higher than just ten years ago. Despite the international scrambling of scientists to provide an explanation, there remains no single known cause for the rise in autism. Autism and the God Connection is the first book of its kind to view autism through a spiritual prism, unlocking its hidden meaning. Through countless, compelling interviews William Stillman documents extraordinary examples of spiritual giftedness.

Autism and the God Connection boldly challenges our traditionally held beliefs about people with disabilities. Readers looking for hope, inspiration and a deeper understanding of their loved ones will appreciate the affirming anecdotes of ordinary families.

Booklist

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.

Library Journal

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 Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

What People Are Saying

Larry Dossey
"Autism and the God Connection is a formidable challenge to simplistic explanations of autism. The clinical stories in this book raise significant questions about the nature of consciousness and its relationship to the brain. This book is about more than neurological issues; it is about our nature, our origin and destiny---in short, our connection with the Absolute, however named."
—M.D., author of The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things

Gary Zukav
"Everyone who seeks a more compassionate and wise life will benefit from this wonderful, insightful, and beautiful book. It is a very short step from understanding autism and the God connection to understanding you and the God Connection."
—author of The Seat of the Soul and The Dancing Wu Li Masters

Carol Bowman
"William Stillman's Autism and the God Connection is a sensitive and illuminating work which could dramatically change how we view autism."
—author of Children's Past Lives and Return From Heaven

Dean Hamer
"Autism and the God Connection is a fascinating and timely exploration of the special sensitivities and spiritual connections of people with autism."
—Ph.D., geneticist and author of The God Gene

Cynthia Sue Larson
"Autism and the God Connection sets itself apart from all other books on the subject of autism by illuminating some of the most fascinating frontiers of human consciousness as it describes the truly amazing spiritual gifts of the autistically disabled. William Stillman provides excellent scientific and anecdotal evidence for the profound connection some autistics have with the world, and offers hope that we have much to gain from seeing autism in a spiritual light."
—author of Aura Advantage: How the Colors in Your Aura Can Help You Attain What You Desire and Attract Success

Kristie P. Koenig
"With his writings, William Stillman is able to consistently provide valuable insight into the lives of individuals with autism that go beyond diagnosis and into the heart and soul of the person."
—Ph.D., OTR/L, Autism Researcher and Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Temple University

Jeffrey A. Naser
"This book is a must read, whether you love someone with an autistic-spectrum disorder, or work in the field. William Stillman describes a parallel process of discovering his own spirituality, while exploring the heightened spiritual connectedness of those he works with. The result provides a deep sense of hope and understanding that I've not experienced with other books on autistic-spectrum disorders."
—M.D., Medical Director, Main Line Clinical Associates

Nicki Fischer
"Autism and the God Connection is a compelling, powerful, and thought provoking book. Stillman describes the discoveries that unfold from conversations that he has with people that have a difficult time with conventional communication. He is able to see, feel and hear people from different perspectives."
—Executive Director, Publisher and Editor, The Autism Perspective magazine

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents