Autism and the God Connection: Redefining the Autistic Experience Through Extraordinary Accounts of Spiritual Giftedness »

William Stillman, a writer with Asperger's Syndrome, is a contributor and columnist for The Autism Perspective magazine and author of special needs parenting books. Stillman is the founder of the Pennsylvania Autism Self-Advocacy Coalition, and is on advisory boards of several autism organizations. He is a nationally-noted speaker, and lives in Hershey, PA.

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

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.

Introduction
Part One: A PATH TO OPPORTUNITY
Chapter One: Making Miracles
Chapter Two: Surrendering to Serendipity

Part Two: DIVINE EXPERIENCES
Chapter Three: Speaking in Silence
Chapter Four: Spiritual Protectors
Chapter Five: Angels in the Atmosphere

Part Three: VALIDATIONS
Chapter Six: Izzy
Chapter Seven: Ghosts in the Laboratory
Chapter Eight: The Ladybug Story
Chapter Nine: Full Circle

Appendix A: Bibliography
Appendix B: Additional Resources
About the Author