Through the Eyes of Aliens: A Book about Autistic People

Jasmine Lee O'Neill

Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1999 - Social Science - 144 pages

This is a rich and positive description of how it feels to be autistic and how friends, family and the professionals that work with autistic people can be more sensitive to their needs. Jasmine Lee O'Neill, autistic herself, perceives the creativity, imagination and keenly-felt sensory world of the autistic person as gifts. She argues that 'normalizing' autistic people - pushing them into behaving in a way that is alien to their true natures - is not just ineffective but wrong. In this vivid and enjoyable book, she challenges the reader to accept their difference and to celebrate their uniqueness.

The book contains a wealth of insight into the autistic world and the author covers all the main topics of most concern for people with autism. She identifies the reasons for particular characteristic behaviour and is both clear and sensitive about whether, and if how so, the autistic person should be encouraged to adapt such behaviours. Drawn from her own experience, she has many suggestions for ways in which the 'normal' world can shape itself to work around the behavioural characteristics of autistic people.

Her book is for anyone who is interested in learning more about autism, including families and friends of autistic people, doctors and therapists, and all those who work with them. It will also prove a source of inspiration to autistic people themselves.

Contents

• Introducing Autism: 11
• The Autistic World: 17
• Autism and Sense Organs: 23
• Autism and Emotions: 35
• Communication and Language: 45
• Intelligence Autism and Savant Skills: 55
• Discrimination: 63
• Rhythms and SelfStimulations: 73
• Relationships: 79
• Health and Allergies: 89
• Autism and Teenage Years: 97
• Recreation: 107
• Idiosyncrasies and Special Traits: 117
• Epilogue For Autistic People: 127
• Poems: 131
• Further Reading: 139
• Index: 140

About the author

Jasmine Lee O'Neill, a mute autistic savant, is a poet, writer, illustrator and musician. Of British descent, she lives in Pennsylvania. This is her first book.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Through the Eyes of Aliens: A Book about Autistic People
• Author: Jasmine Lee O'Neill
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1999
• ISBN: 1853027103, 9781853027109
• Length: 144 pages
• Subjects: Psychology / Psychopathology / General; Social Science / People with Disabilities