The Soul of Autism: Looking Beyond Labels to Unveil Spiritual Secrets of the Heart Savants

ANOTHER WONDERFUL BOOK BY WILLIAM STILLMAN! I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!! Both this book and "Autism and the God Connection" are in my opinion easily the best books ever written about autism. I wish everyone shared Stillman's views about autism. The basic premise is that autism is not a disease (therefore doesn't need a "cure") but that it has an important role in the evolution of humanity. If we learn to listen in other ways (besides using our ears) we have much learn from those with autism. Stillman, like myself, has Asperger's and understands how offensive the commonly accepted "war on autism" perspective can be to those of us on the spectrum. When someone like me sees that most neurotypicals in the autism "community" are basically on a crusade to eradicate autism by finding a "cure" it can be very hurtful. Quite frankly "cure autism now" translates to people like me as "we don't accept you for who you are. Your differences are a flaw. You are diseased." It's bad enough for me...but now I have a son with autism, so that mainstream perspective is even more hurtful to me now. We don't want to be "cured." We want acceptance. Most people don't seem to understand this. William Stillman does. Thank God someone has the guts to step up and give this viewpoint an eloquent voice in these beautifully written books. I hope there are more books like this to come! looking for fun autism awareness items? check out my store! [...]

I am grateful for this book from William Stillman because it opens a door where an impenetrable, stone wall once stood between autistic individuals and the rest of the world. I am not a parent of an autistic child, but I have a very dear friend who is autistic. She is an 8 year old girl with a bright spirit. When I'm with this beautiful girl, I feel joyful and light in ways that I can't even explain. She is different from other girls her age, indeed, just as she is different from me. Perhaps this is what I love about her. We do not talk, but we communicate. This unique communication is like a fresh, spring breeze after a long and stagnant winter. Our current reality of 1 in 155 children with autism is proof enough, but I have also witnessed firsthand that these souls are here for a higher purpose, and that is to open the rest of our eyes. The numbers keep growing. Are our eyes opening? Now we must take the next step and make changes to meet these souls on the middle ground, where we can see eye to eye, and listen with our hearts to what is being said beyond the space of our ubiquitous vocabulary. Stillman's book offers a way to begin down that road with integrity, an open heart, and a sense of wonder for these 'heart savants' known as the autistic ones. To learn is to change. The autistic 'heart savants' are here to teach us. 'The Soul of Autism' encourages us to be the student, the blank canvas on which these souls can express their gifts. A common teaching in all spiritual traditions, after all, is that one cannot expect another to change... the change must begin within oneself. We can all benefit from this wisdom. Thank you, William, for a wonderful and soulful book! I think everyone would benefit from reading this one.

Bill Stillman knows what it is like to have autism and when he writes in his book on how the world needs more autism he is so absolutely right. Look at this world and all the evil that it holds. In my opinion I think that people with autism see things in this world that others without the "autism gift" don't see. In this book THE SOUL OF AUTISM you will read the truth about autism. I am an adult with autism and for so many years I felt so close to God in a way that it is hard for me to explain especially to people who think I am just a "fruitcake". Many people don't like to hear "the spiritual talk" it is either because they are afraid or they don't think it is "cool." When I was a child I would rock in my little rocking chair holding a pair of Rosary Beads praying to all my dead relatives, even the ones I never met, and when doing this I would be facing the window looking up at the sky. There is something more to autism then just it's little quirks. I find comfort in reading Bill Stillman's books and I think that adults with autism and adults who may think they are different should read this book. Also parents of children with autism should read THE SOUL OF AUTISM so that they will see deeper into their autistic child. I praise you Mr. Stillman for having the courage to speak out and letting the world know that people with autism have a great message to send.

I know there will be some people who will not like this book. Some people will write this off as new age, airy fairy, hogwash. But it isn't. There is plenty of science in here for those left brained individuals. I also know that some parents of autistic children may be put off by this book; with the author suggesting that these kids are "heart savants" when a parent can't control her 5 year old autistic son from constantly banging his head against the wall. All I can say is that William Stillman knows what he's talking about. Having researched and personally interviewed dozens upon dozens of families with children who have autism, Bill noticed that many of them seemed to possess a special gift for sensitivity, empathy (that's right, empathy) and connection. Some of the stories you will read will simply boggle your mind, but I do not doubt their authenticity. Bill writes that he is convinced that the world needs autism. So am I. When we can begin to value other people for the gifts they possess and not be threatened by them because of their perceived differences, society will have evolved to a radically different place than we're at now. Beware curebies: you won't like this book! Stillman calls for a radical acceptance of all forms of autism and is squarely against those who are impatient to find a "cure". In that sense, this book also makes a strong political statement as well. Bill, I thank you, my man! As a person with Asperger's, I'm grateful that you wrote this book. Keep up the great work!