Customer Reviews
Not What I Expected 
2008-01-07
I hope I didn't give up on this book too early but the author seems so self absorbed and his concept of God so vague as to have no real substance. I do believe the less fortunate are gifts from God and provide us a road map and the opportunity to gain eternal happiness. This book didn't provide that insight (at least not quick enough) and got weighed down with the author's own issues that came across to me as whining.
Any reason to pick it up and try again?
Spiritual Capacity 
2007-11-05
My husband and I were preparing for an 8 hour car trip to attend a Disability Summit in Southern California, put on by an organization called, "Joni and Friends" so that we would know how to get a program started within our church to serve those with disabilities. As I wondered through the public library, I just so happened to come across William Stillman's book, "Autism and the God Connection."
Even though I may not agree with all of the spiritual concepts that are presented in this book, it is a must read for all who come in contact with those who may have Autism, statistics now being one in every 150 people born in the U.S., that would mean we all should read it. Too often, we hear such words as, "afflicted" or "suffering from" and we automatically think of autism as a curse rather than recognize the spiritual gifts that people with autism may actually possess. Interesting concept. And yet would God ever create a human being who could not possess the capacity for a spiritual relationship with Him? That would be contrary to the very nature of our loving God. If people with autism have been given a spirit, then wouldn't it seem reasonable that they too would possess spiritual gifts?
I started out thinking that we are in the process of beginning a program which will minister to the needs of others when in actuality, perhaps we are beginning a program in which others will be ministering to us!
It's about time that we start recognizing that those with disabilities possess the same spiritual capacity as the rest of us, perhaps, in all honesty, due to the fact that many people who have disabilities are not polluted by the materialism of this world, their spiritual capacity is actually much greater.
"As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!"
And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"
On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable, we treat with special honor."
Read the book and ask that your mind and heart will be enlarged and your spirit opened to the possibility that we are the ones who need to learn to be more spiritually sensitive.
I should have read the Publisher's Weekly summary 
2007-10-31
I have to say that Publisher's Weekly put it mildly when they called the author's credibility strained by his reliance on anecdotal stories and explanations of telepathy. Let me make this clear, this book is not a reliable resource on autism or any serious aspect of it. It is a collection of superstitious claims used to glorify autism and connect it to a fabricated world. While it may have some use to boost self-esteem of the newly diagnosed, I honestly can't imagine any other reason for a rational person to buy this book.
A God Send 
2007-06-23
The insight you can receive from reading this book will bring a quiet calm to your life. An absolute MUST READ if you have a child or work with autism and a highly recommend for those who want to understand this increasing "epidemic", like those whose children have classmates with autism.
A spiritual mishmash that touches your heart 2007-05-18
When I read on page 11 about the child with Asperger's Syndrome asking God to forgive Osama bin Laden on the night of September 11, 2001, William Stillman had me. The subtitle is informative, as the book is a collection of anecdotes on the spiritual gifts of people with autism.
The purpose of sharing these anecdotes is to encourage the people in the life of a person with autism to presume intellect, to presume spirit, in the same way they presume intellect for someone with cerebral palsy or epilepsy. Some of the recently developed technologies for helping people with autism to communicate (touch keyboards, Facilitated Communication, etc.) make the idea of presuming intellect much more plausible than it used to be.
This is not a science book, as there is no scientific explanation offered for the surge in autism spectrum diagnoses, and no scientific explanation offered for any connection between autism and spiritual gifts. The works of psychics such as Sylvia Browne and John Edwards are used to explain these phenomena, as well as the books of writers on the cusp of science and spirituality like Raymond Moody and Dean Hamer. If you're not into these kinds of writings, you may not like this book.
But in the middle of all my harumphing, Stillman had me again on page 167, with the story of Elena, a girl with low-functioning autism, who opens the hearts of people with her actions.
Michael, a young man with autism, puts the exclamation point at the end of the book when he writes, "Suffering is God's way of freeing the soul."
I grasp that this book has been a great comfort to individuals with autism, and to the families and caregivers of people with autism.
The reason I don't give this book five stars is because Stillman references a number of different spiritual traditions (New Age, Christian, Hindu), and doesn't see any differences or inconsistencies between them.
Autism and the God Connections 2007-05-02
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.
---Gary Zukav, author of The Seat of the Soul and The Dancing Wu Li Master
"Autism and the God Connection is a compelling, powerful and thought-provoking book. Mr. 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." --Nicki Fischer, executive director, publisher and editor, The Autism Perspective Magazine
Autism 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 views autism through a spiritual prism, unlocking its hidden meaning. Through countless 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.
makes a valid connection 2007-04-17
I'm not an expert in Autism or Asperger Syndrome, however I was able to assimilate what he was saying easily. The book explores the spiritual connection of people with disabilities (mainly Autism), and delves into some of the psychic phenomena. It is not a religious book, and does not follow teachings of the bible in particular. The writers approach is spiritually advanced, and incorporates the beliefs of all faiths. He sees humanity as an evolving entity, with Autistic children playing an important role in the process.
Autism-positive recount of experiences 
2007-04-09
Stillman provide an autism-positive account of paranormal experiences, emphasizing the highly sensitive nature of people with autism, which may be accountable for these experiences. If you are looking for a book to validate your own or your loved one's supernatural experiences, particularly from a monotheistic viewpoint, I recommend this book. However, the author only peripherally speaks about the connection with nature experienced by many autistic people, in favor of repeated references to "the Creator". While this is valid from his any many other's standpoint, it is not representative of all people with autism. This is not to suggest that any book could ever be representative all autistics. But if you are looking for something uniquely religious or spiritual about the autistic way of thinking or looking for information on autism and religion from a multi-cultural perspective, it doesn't provide anything particularly original. If you are looking for a metaphysical-type analysis of autistic perception, I highly recommend Donna William's "Autism and Sensing: The Unlost Instinct".
I got so much comfort and reassurance from this book! 2007-02-14
This is the first book since my son's diagnosis that I have actually read all of the way through. Others I would skim and pick out bits of information hoping to gain some understanding of my son's experience, but this one validated my belief in my son's abilities and intelligence while giving me hope and encouragement. Most books about autism seem to hone in on limitations and rigidity, William Stillman's Autism and the God Connection lifted the barriers for me and my son giving me a glimpse of some understanding of God's purpose for our lives! I highly recommend it!
autism and the god connection 2007-02-12
As the mother of a six year old little boy with Autism, I feel this is one of the most important if not THE MOST important book I have read since my son was diagnosed as autistic. I wish this book had been given to me the same day that I was given my sons diagnoses of Autism. Autism and the God Connection is beautifully written, encouraging, and inspiring. The beautiful messages this book contains are not only perfect for parents of special needs children, but also caregivers,educators, medical personal and anyone who knows others with special challenges in life. This book will forever change your perception of people who appear to be different than yourself.
