Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome

by Stephen M. Shore PhD

Overview

This second edition of Beyond The Wall is an autobiographical account that gives a rare, detailed and warm insight into the life of someone with autism. Shore relates his personal and professional experiences in a simple and open manner, creating an informative, user-friendly text that sheds new light on the trials and tribulations of those with autism. The author not only gives his personal views within this book, but also gives family events and background, while connecting his own experiences to recent research, making it of equal interest to both individuals and professionals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781931282192
Publisher:	Future Horizons, Inc.
Publication date:	03/15/2003
Edition description:	2ND
Pages:	242
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Dr. Stephen Shore is an autistic professor of special education at Adelphi University. His other books include: College for Students with Disabilities, Understanding Autism for Dummies, and Ask and Tell. Currently, he serves on the board of Autism Speaks, and is one of the first two autistic board members in its history, looking to improve the potential of those on the autism spectrum. 

Read an Excerpt

The League School for Autism of Greater Boston was in the enviable position of being able to take such light sensitivity into consideration when they recently moved to a new location. In their new building they installed incandescent lighting in the classrooms, even though this resulted in a greater expense. The initial plan of using this type of lighting in the common areas of the school had to be abandoned, however, due to the prohibitive costs involved.

I find that becoming overstimulated from spending too much time on airplanes and sometimes at autism conferences often negatively affects my vestibular, proprioceptive, hearing, and other senses. However, swinging in a suspended hammock calms my senses and allows me to interact more effectively with the environment. In fact, during conferences I can often be found at the Playaway Toys display booth (www.playawaytoy.com) reorganizing my senses. Also, one of their hammocks is permanently wedged between the door jams of my home for use at any time I feel the need.

Editorial Reviews

A surprisingly warm journey into the psyche of an ‘Aspie.’ The reader is led on a wonderful excursion showing how personal courage and persistence mixed with an encouraging and unyielding family has allowed Stephen Shore to successfully deal with significant brain differences that are called Asperger Syndrome. His openness is refreshing and his use of music to contact and relate to himself and other ‘Aspies’ is remarkable. This is an invaluable guide and statement of hope for ‘Aspies’ and people who love them.” – John Ratey, M. D., associate clinical professor of psychiatry , Harvard Medical School Author of A User’s Guide to the Brain: Perception, Attention, and the Four Theaters of the Brain Co-author, Driven to Distraction, Answers to Distractions, and Shadow Syndromes

“As you read Stephen’s book about his life, you will marvel at the courage, persistence and intelligence that continue to guide his quest to cope with a complex, highly nuanced world. You will finish the book – not only with greater understanding of the autism spectrum – but with renewed appreciation of what it means to become fully human.” – Arnold Miller, director, Language and Cognitive Development Center, Waban, Massachusetts

“This book is an important welcome addition to the literature on Asperger Syndrome. Stephen Shore understands AS from the inside, and has taken on the valuable role of guide to the outsider. A patient teacher, he opens doors for the traveller that otherwise remain closed. His book, and the life it describes, will go a long way to raising awareness of AS, highlighting the special strengths that AS confers, whilst not minimising the difficulties. It also contains a wealth of information on how to manage AS.” – Simon Baron-Cohen, professor of developmental psychopathology, Autism Research Centre, Universityof Cambridge

“This book aggregates so much important information about Asperger functioning that should be translated into other languages. I’m sure the world’s Asperger children would be grateful for the better services that would result.” – Walter Camargos, M. D., child psychiatrist and assistant professor of psychiatry, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas de Minas, Gerais, Brazil

From the Publisher