Autism Heroes. Portraits of Families Meeting the Challenge

Editorial Review
Intimate, bold and inspiring, Autism Heroes provides a compelling and sensitive account of the experiences of 38 families from different walks of life confronting the challenges of autism with courage, tenacity and love. With empathy and expertise gained from her three decades of leadership of The Help Group and her commitment to children with special needs, Dr. Barbara Firestone engages the families in candid, powerful and deeply affecting conversations about their lives. Each family narrative is set against the backdrop of her insightful essays about dignity, hope, opportunity and love, which are fundamentally important to all families living with autism.

The families offer their experiences openly and honestly, sharing their challenges, triumphs and hopes. Their candor helps demystify and destigmatize autism and embraces other parents just beginning or already on the journey. Their reflections chart the course through the many stages of coping with autism and seeking solutions for their children, and they offer a lifeline of support, insight, encouragement and hope.

Fully illustrated with stunning photographs by Joe Buissink, Autism Heroes is an invaluable resource for families as well as educators, clinicians, researchers and policy makers.
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Customer Reviews

Deeply Inspiring

2007-12-01
Autism Heroes is touching, informative, and beautiful - a real beacon of light for anyone or any family whose lives are touched by autism.

Please, do yourself a favor and go and buy this book and give it to someone you love. Heroes should be shared.

Better Than Heroes - Just Good People

2008-01-09
Being a good person far exceeds being a hero. I have said for many years that I would rather be deprived of the Beatles and be bombarded with painful loud noises than be a hero. To me, "hero" suggests looking for grandeur and acting on behalf of others with the thought of return. Often heroes lose their lives. To me, "hero" is far from an appealing concept. September 11, 2001 soured me on "heroism" all the more because I didn't like the way stepping up to the plate for others was viewed as the exception and not the rule and the way many appeared to expect kudos for doing so. Real benevolence seeks no return.

The families portrayed in this wonderful book are better than heroes - they are good people who have allowed their lives and those of their children with autism to be shared. Readers are treated to beautiful photographs and anecdotes and interviews from the families featured in this book.

Autism is an equal opportunity neurobiological condition that makes no distinction in who is affected. In our ever-dwindling quest for privacy in today's highly connected world, it is all the more courageous and generous for people to share their life stories of coping with autism in any form.

Dr. Firestone's book is a book for everybody regardless of placement or lack thereof on the autism/Asperger's spectrum. Experiences are validated; autism is accepted and unconditional love underscores the personal accounts each of these families have provided. John Lennon's 1971 magnum opus "Imagine" and his classic classic "Gimme Some Truth," also from Imagine would be the ideal soundtrack to this book.

This is the ideal companion book to SOULS: BENEATH & BEYOND AUTISM (paperback version) and Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes.

Honoring families and caregivers of children with autism

2007-12-20
Autism Heroes provides an intimate glimpse into the world of a ever-growing sector of the human population that cuts across social, economic, and cultural boundaries in a mysterious manner. The personal anecdotes presented by caregivers living and loving in the complex world of an autistic family member are sometimes heart rending, sometimes hilarious, and always enthralling, compelling, and sobering. It is incongruous that our technologically-advanced, information-savvy society has such little understanding of people with autism. In our present atmosphere of privacy, it is yet another act of heroism for these families to share this most personal and sensitive part of their lives. Dr. Firestone's work will touch hearts and open eyes to the beautiful spirit found in people with autism and the ones who love them. Her positive but honest and balanced outlook will help parents with newly diagnosed children get a foot-hold on the future possibilities and the breadth of the autistic spectrum. For veteran families, seeing their daily efforts recognized and honored will lighten their work. For professionals, it will provide insight into the kaleidoscope of consequences the diagnosis can have depending on the family context. To understand and address the unique needs of families struggling with autism is a great challenge, and this book is a respectful, heartwarming, and sensitive step toward that goal.

heroes exist

2007-12-15
...and not only in the news, putting out a fire or fighting a war. these are real people. families with TRUE strenth and love. the lesson learned from this book, goes beyond autism and applies to any human condition that requires good old fashioned HELP and HOPE. there is a brighter future for anyone reading this. if 'a hero is nothing but a sandwich', you can definetely eat this one up.

Hopeful and engaging portraits

2007-12-13
Austim Heroes documents personal stories of autism and the common struggles of families from widely diverse backgrounds. Stories of hope and unconditional love are presented with informal black and white family portraits to create a beautiful tribute to the strength of families touched by autism. This is an important, honest and insightful book sure to raise awareness and understanding.

Terrific for anyone touched by autism

2007-12-07
This is really a lovely book that profiles 38 different families living with autism. As a mom to twins on the autism spectrum, how I wish this book was available when we first started our journey. The stories are full of hope and encouragement, honesty and love. It's large -- almost a coffee table book -- but full of beautiful black and white photos and pretty lengthy stories. The children profiled are of all ages, their families from all walks of life. I loved it.

I loved all the different voices of moms and dads as they tell of first getting that diagnosis and what their road has looked like since. I loved each bit of advice offered to other parents. It made me feel less alone and I was sad when I finished it.