Elijah's Cup: A Family's Journey into the Community and Culture of High-functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome (Revised edition) - Softcover

Valerie Paradiz

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184310802X ISBN 13: 9781843108023

Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2005

Synopsis

This provocative and pioneering book is both a refreshing exploration of the history of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and a powerful story of the author's own struggle with her son Elijah's Asperger's Syndrome. From her first inklings of Elijah's difference to her discovery of a whole spectrum of another way of life that includes everything from civil rights organizations for autistics to Asperger artists, Valerie Paradiz describes how she decided to cross what she calls 'cultural boundaries' to overcome her fears about her son's condition. Her inspiring narrative offers compelling insights into daily life, Elijah's Asperger's syndrome and her own 'shadow syndrome', which affects all family members of autistics. It is also a celebration of the idiosyncratic beauty of the Asperger mind and the sense of mutual support and self-respect in the ASD community. This revised edition includes a contribution from Elijah and a new chapter that brings the story up to date: the author successfully sets up a specialist educational unit for Asperger pupils, Elijah experiences his first two years of school, and the author's dawning recognition of her own Asperger's Syndrome leads to major life changes. Elijah's Cup offers moving and insightful observations as well as factual information for parents and anyone working with people with ASDs.

About this title

Review:

This is far more than just a personal account and makes fascinating reading about how individual lives are affected profoundly by autism in different ways. Author: Autism Matters

Elijah's cup is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the fascinating world of high-functioning autism Author: Reviewers Bookwatch

Praise for the hardback edition:

'Valerie Paradiz has written a moving and eloquent chronicle of the diagnosis of her son, Elijah, with Asperger's syndrome and their journey together into the world of high-functioning autism. Her book is an important addition to the literature of autism, full of beautifully observed moments.'

Author: Oliver Sacks, author of The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat

Sixty years ago, my father, the Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger revealed the appealing and often overlooked qualities of these unusual children. He also showed how we even find some resonance of their difficult traits within ourselves. Now it's time for us to hear more directly the voice of autistic people and that of their parents. Valerie Paradiz has given us a precious gift of a book, full of her own experiences with her son. Author: Maria Asperger, Child Psychiatrist

Valerie Paradiz has written an honest, artistic and very human account of the impact of this exceptional and controversial social-political movement on her life and that of her colourful son, Elijah. She captures how this sometimes mind-blowing social adventure in a world rarely visited by most people expanded their lives and helped shape a different place of belonging in the world. Author: Donna Williams, author of Nobody Nowhere

This inspiring narrative by Valerie Paradiz offers compelling insights into daily life with Elijah's Asperger Syndrome and her own 'shadow syndrome' which affects many family members of autistics. This revised edition includes a contribution from Elijah and a new chapter brings the story up to date: the author successfully sets up a specialist educational unit for Asperger pupils, Elijah experiences his first two years of school and the author's dawning recognition of her own Asperger Syndrome leads to major life changes. Author: Autism Us

From the Author:

Valerie Paradiz holds a Ph.D. in German Literature from City University of New York and has taught German and writing at Bard College, Brooklyn College, and the State University of New York, New Paltz. She is the co-founder and director of ASPIE, the School for Autistic Strength, Purpose and Independence in Education and sits on the Board of Directors of GRASP, the Global Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership.

About this edition

• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 184310802X
• ISBN 13: 9781843108023
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240