Hello Everyone,
This month’s BLOG will continue the opportunity to view my slideshow GALLERY of Books and focus on the offered Extended Book Reviews. The slideshow shows the book covers, divided into the following categories ~
AMAZING ADVENTURES
DIAGNOSIS, DOCTORS, DENIAL
SAVVY SOLUTIONS
SCHOOL ON THE SHORT BUS
Hopefully, these stories will help parents, clinicians, academics, and all people #Autism, in connecting with those who have gone before us on their Autism Journey. This April's 2025 BLOG will continue to give snippets of my Extended Book Reviews; find full reviews on website MENU; along with a LINK to purchase the eBook. You will find each Autism story to be engaging, compelling, and as different as each family's Autism journey.
From the Category – DIAGNOSIS, DOCTORS, DENIAL. Read my full Extended Book Review, with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker; plus, LINKs to eBooks, on this website, www.sarasautismsite.com.
Hello Everyone,
This month’s BLOG will continue the opportunity to view my slideshow GALLERY of Books and focus on the offered Extended Book Reviews. The slideshow shows the book covers, divided into the following categories ~
AMAZING ADVENTURES
DIAGNOSIS, DOCTORS, DENIAL
SAVVY SOLUTIONS
SCHOOL ON THE SHORT BUS
Hopefully, these stories will help parents, clinicians, academics, and all people #Autism, in connecting with those who have gone before us on their Autism Journey. This April's 2025 BLOG will continue to give snippets of my Extended Book Reviews; find full reviews on website MENU; along with a LINK to purchase the eBook. You will find each Autism story to be engaging, compelling, and as different as each family's Autism journey.
From the Category – DIAGNOSIS, DOCTORS, DENIAL. Read my full Extended Book Review, with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker; plus, LINKs to eBooks, on this website, www.sarasautismsite.com.
Secondhand Autism by Paul Brodie, eBook 2013; Extended Book Review with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
Excerpts from the book – (5% indicates location in the Kindle version of the book, instead of page numbers).
Brodie, P. (2013) 5% This is my experience and understanding of a major influencing aspect of my life, through my own lens of perspective, presented as such.
Secondhand autism, as a phrase, incorporates the negative connotation of secondhand smoke with my struggle in relating to autism and represents my experience, personal and observed, with what autism does to the family members of the individual with the diagnosis.
Brodie, P. (2013) 3% Secondhand autism, just like autism itself, is a unique condition, sometimes at odds with itself. Although autism is unique to an individual the effects reach parents and siblings without prejudice.
< My Thoughts > “…what autism does to the family members.”
As a parent, the insight into how my own children viewed their childhood didn't come until they were adults with children. Curiously, each of my children had a very different perspective, none of which aligned with mine.
Brodie, P. (2013) 58% I hate autism because, in my limited perspective, it seems to prevent Scott from having and experiencing things that I think he should get to have; things that I have experienced and am grateful for.
< My Thoughts > “I hate autism…”
Know Autism, Know Your Child became the title of my Free ASD Book, for this reason. Your child is not his or her autism. Your child is much, much more. Focusing on their 'strengths' and providing support for their 'weaknesses' is one way to help them, and the family experience life.
Orsmond, G. & Seltzer, M. (2007), “The life-stage of the sibling and the life-stage of the individual with autism, influences the companionship and caregiving experience,” and the sibling’s feelings about autism.
Sicile-Kira, C. (2014), “Some of the behaviors exhibited by children with ASD would be typical of a younger child’s behavior. But it is harder for a sibling as time goes on and the behaviors continue, or are replaced with even more ‘interesting’ ones,” even when the child becomes an ‘adult-child’.
Note: Further information on 'behavior issues' in my Free ASD Book: Know Autism, Know Your Child with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker. Found on website MENU. Read online under UNIT 3 What Is Most Concerning? CHAPTER 1 Gross & Fine Motor Skills, CHAPTER 2 Speech & Language Communication, CHAPTER 3 Cognition & Temperament/Personality.
15% Autism in my family – Scott was just about 3 years old when my parents first took him to a doctor with questions about his development. He was on track for the standard age-graded stages of development – crawling, walking, and talking, etc. – until he seemed to regress, starting between 18 and 24 months. Scott is the fourth of my parents’ six children: Laura, me (Paul), John, Scott, Alison, and Shannon. Alison was born around the time when Scott’s abnormal behavior started making my parents worry.
Initially Scott’s change in development was thought to be a reaction to my sister Alison’s birth.
< My Thoughts > “Scott’s change in development (regression)…”
Sometimes, 'regression', after a child achieving developmental milestones, can be subtle and deceptive. Other times, when the child stops talking or eating, the behavior is concerning enough to require immediate intervention.
There is a study by Goin-Kochel, R. & Myers, B. (2005), questioning parents’ beliefs about the causes of their child’s regression. The results were three-fold. One, the belief was ‘genetic causes’; two, the belief was ‘external triggers’, and three, the belief was a ‘combination of both’ genetic and external.
Brodie, P. (2013) 81% One of the worries that lie dormant in my mind, surfacing briefly every now and then, is that my children will be autistic. My daughter Megan is just under a year old and she often bites her hand in the same way Scott does – between the thumb and index finger. But only briefly and quickly moves her hand around to suck on her fingers … or to move her hand in and out of her mouth manipulating the sound of her singing. Every time her hand is in that position in her mouth I think about Scott and worry that Megan will be autistic.
< My Thoughts > “I think about Scott and worry that Megan will be autistic.”
Because autism rates have increased greatly, over the last 15 years, many siblings worry that it may show up in their offspring. In a lab study, discussed in the May 2015 edition of the Medical Laboratory Observer, a research team from Johns Hopkins “compared the gene sequences of autistic members of 13 families to the gene sequences of people from a public database. They found four potential culprit genes and focused on one protein, CTNND2.” They believe this protein plays a key role in infant brain development. More recent studies reveal that autism is possibly a combination of both genetic and environmental factors.
Brodie, P. (2013) 65% Alison (23 years ) I am never embarrassed at anything anymore since doing theatre; but put me in a store with Scott and my stress hits a peak and I think about it all day and I feel bad for Scott.
There’s definitely a lot of guilt felt by all of us. We all feel guilty going off with our own lives while Scott just sits at home on an iPod watching movies, but that is what he is comfortable with, that’s what he wants to do. Whenever we take him out of the house, Scott gets agitated and asks to go home.
< My Thoughts > “We all feel guilty…”
But, most children and adults with autism don't like change; don't like their routine interrupted, and don't share the same 'fun' interests as their more neuro-typical siblings.
Orsmond, G. & Seltzer, M. (2007) observed that some of the reported negative aspects of sibling relationships are provoked feelings of anger when child with ASD is aggressive. Along with having feelings of guilt for not helping the parents more or wishing for more of the parent’s attention.
64% Shannon (14 years) I think the first time I really realized there was something wrong with Scott was when I was around 8 years old, when I started having friends over for longer than a few hours. I had to train my friends not to leave valuable things around the house because Scott might get to it or move it somewhere unsafe.
< My Thoughts > “…my friends …”
Many families share that they eventually stop receiving invitations to friend's and relative's holiday events, once they reveal that their child has autism.
According to Orsmond, G. & Seltzer, M. (2007), many siblings “reported feeling lonely and that they had no friends.” And, those with friends reported “they were unable to explain autism to someone outside the family.”
< My Thoughts >
This insightful account of their family’s sharing of what becomes their definitive truth that the whole family was impacted by secondhand autism, was especially powerful to me. Each page has valuable information on it. My excerpts have only given you a brief view into this world.
References:
Goin-Kochel, R. & Myers, B. (2005). Congenital vs. Regressive Onset of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Parent’s Beliefs About Causes; Focus on Autism & Other Developmental Disabilities; Fall, 20:3.
Orsmond, G. & Seltzer, M. (2007). Siblings of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders Across the Life Course; Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities Research Review 13:313-320.
Sicile-Kira, C. (2014). Autism Spectrum Disorder (revised): The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism; New York, New York: Penguin Random House Company.
End of these excerpts from Secondhand Autism by Paul Brodie.
Thank you for reading and sharing my BLOGs. Comments are welcomed, to be viewed and answered privately. My goal is to assist families, clinicians, educators, and all people ‘autism’, to continue their journey on the Autism Highway. At the end of each website Extended Book Review, please find a source to have the whole book to read.
Regards,
Sara Luker
Paid Link Disclosure -
These Extended Book Reviews have an Amazon Link for actual book purchases. Please read this Paid Link Disclosure AKA Affiliate Links Disclosure:
Sometimes there are paid links, also known as affiliate links, used on this site. My website, www.sarasautismsite.com, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
I may earn or receive a small paid commission from referrals for book purchases made through posts, pages, and links on this site. But I try to remain unbiased and I do not accept paid reviews. All opinions expressed here are my own.
There is no extra cost to you when purchases are made using the provided links. By using the links I provide you agree that you’ve read this paid link disclosure statement.
Thank you!
Sara Luker
Excerpts from the book – (5% indicates location in the Kindle version of the book, instead of page numbers).
Brodie, P. (2013) 5% This is my experience and understanding of a major influencing aspect of my life, through my own lens of perspective, presented as such.
Secondhand autism, as a phrase, incorporates the negative connotation of secondhand smoke with my struggle in relating to autism and represents my experience, personal and observed, with what autism does to the family members of the individual with the diagnosis.
Brodie, P. (2013) 3% Secondhand autism, just like autism itself, is a unique condition, sometimes at odds with itself. Although autism is unique to an individual the effects reach parents and siblings without prejudice.
< My Thoughts > “…what autism does to the family members.”
As a parent, the insight into how my own children viewed their childhood didn't come until they were adults with children. Curiously, each of my children had a very different perspective, none of which aligned with mine.
Brodie, P. (2013) 58% I hate autism because, in my limited perspective, it seems to prevent Scott from having and experiencing things that I think he should get to have; things that I have experienced and am grateful for.
< My Thoughts > “I hate autism…”
Know Autism, Know Your Child became the title of my Free ASD Book, for this reason. Your child is not his or her autism. Your child is much, much more. Focusing on their 'strengths' and providing support for their 'weaknesses' is one way to help them, and the family experience life.
Orsmond, G. & Seltzer, M. (2007), “The life-stage of the sibling and the life-stage of the individual with autism, influences the companionship and caregiving experience,” and the sibling’s feelings about autism.
Sicile-Kira, C. (2014), “Some of the behaviors exhibited by children with ASD would be typical of a younger child’s behavior. But it is harder for a sibling as time goes on and the behaviors continue, or are replaced with even more ‘interesting’ ones,” even when the child becomes an ‘adult-child’.
Note: Further information on 'behavior issues' in my Free ASD Book: Know Autism, Know Your Child with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker. Found on website MENU. Read online under UNIT 3 What Is Most Concerning? CHAPTER 1 Gross & Fine Motor Skills, CHAPTER 2 Speech & Language Communication, CHAPTER 3 Cognition & Temperament/Personality.
15% Autism in my family – Scott was just about 3 years old when my parents first took him to a doctor with questions about his development. He was on track for the standard age-graded stages of development – crawling, walking, and talking, etc. – until he seemed to regress, starting between 18 and 24 months. Scott is the fourth of my parents’ six children: Laura, me (Paul), John, Scott, Alison, and Shannon. Alison was born around the time when Scott’s abnormal behavior started making my parents worry.
Initially Scott’s change in development was thought to be a reaction to my sister Alison’s birth.
< My Thoughts > “Scott’s change in development (regression)…”
Sometimes, 'regression', after a child achieving developmental milestones, can be subtle and deceptive. Other times, when the child stops talking or eating, the behavior is concerning enough to require immediate intervention.
There is a study by Goin-Kochel, R. & Myers, B. (2005), questioning parents’ beliefs about the causes of their child’s regression. The results were three-fold. One, the belief was ‘genetic causes’; two, the belief was ‘external triggers’, and three, the belief was a ‘combination of both’ genetic and external.
Brodie, P. (2013) 81% One of the worries that lie dormant in my mind, surfacing briefly every now and then, is that my children will be autistic. My daughter Megan is just under a year old and she often bites her hand in the same way Scott does – between the thumb and index finger. But only briefly and quickly moves her hand around to suck on her fingers … or to move her hand in and out of her mouth manipulating the sound of her singing. Every time her hand is in that position in her mouth I think about Scott and worry that Megan will be autistic.
< My Thoughts > “I think about Scott and worry that Megan will be autistic.”
Because autism rates have increased greatly, over the last 15 years, many siblings worry that it may show up in their offspring. In a lab study, discussed in the May 2015 edition of the Medical Laboratory Observer, a research team from Johns Hopkins “compared the gene sequences of autistic members of 13 families to the gene sequences of people from a public database. They found four potential culprit genes and focused on one protein, CTNND2.” They believe this protein plays a key role in infant brain development. More recent studies reveal that autism is possibly a combination of both genetic and environmental factors.
Brodie, P. (2013) 65% Alison (23 years ) I am never embarrassed at anything anymore since doing theatre; but put me in a store with Scott and my stress hits a peak and I think about it all day and I feel bad for Scott.
There’s definitely a lot of guilt felt by all of us. We all feel guilty going off with our own lives while Scott just sits at home on an iPod watching movies, but that is what he is comfortable with, that’s what he wants to do. Whenever we take him out of the house, Scott gets agitated and asks to go home.
< My Thoughts > “We all feel guilty…”
But, most children and adults with autism don't like change; don't like their routine interrupted, and don't share the same 'fun' interests as their more neuro-typical siblings.
Orsmond, G. & Seltzer, M. (2007) observed that some of the reported negative aspects of sibling relationships are provoked feelings of anger when child with ASD is aggressive. Along with having feelings of guilt for not helping the parents more or wishing for more of the parent’s attention.
64% Shannon (14 years) I think the first time I really realized there was something wrong with Scott was when I was around 8 years old, when I started having friends over for longer than a few hours. I had to train my friends not to leave valuable things around the house because Scott might get to it or move it somewhere unsafe.
< My Thoughts > “…my friends …”
Many families share that they eventually stop receiving invitations to friend's and relative's holiday events, once they reveal that their child has autism.
According to Orsmond, G. & Seltzer, M. (2007), many siblings “reported feeling lonely and that they had no friends.” And, those with friends reported “they were unable to explain autism to someone outside the family.”
< My Thoughts >
This insightful account of their family’s sharing of what becomes their definitive truth that the whole family was impacted by secondhand autism, was especially powerful to me. Each page has valuable information on it. My excerpts have only given you a brief view into this world.
References:
Goin-Kochel, R. & Myers, B. (2005). Congenital vs. Regressive Onset of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Parent’s Beliefs About Causes; Focus on Autism & Other Developmental Disabilities; Fall, 20:3.
Orsmond, G. & Seltzer, M. (2007). Siblings of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders Across the Life Course; Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities Research Review 13:313-320.
Sicile-Kira, C. (2014). Autism Spectrum Disorder (revised): The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism; New York, New York: Penguin Random House Company.
End of these excerpts from Secondhand Autism by Paul Brodie.
Thank you for reading and sharing my BLOGs. Comments are welcomed, to be viewed and answered privately. My goal is to assist families, clinicians, educators, and all people ‘autism’, to continue their journey on the Autism Highway. At the end of each website Extended Book Review, please find a source to have the whole book to read.
Regards,
Sara Luker
Paid Link Disclosure -
These Extended Book Reviews have an Amazon Link for actual book purchases. Please read this Paid Link Disclosure AKA Affiliate Links Disclosure:
Sometimes there are paid links, also known as affiliate links, used on this site. My website, www.sarasautismsite.com, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
I may earn or receive a small paid commission from referrals for book purchases made through posts, pages, and links on this site. But I try to remain unbiased and I do not accept paid reviews. All opinions expressed here are my own.
There is no extra cost to you when purchases are made using the provided links. By using the links I provide you agree that you’ve read this paid link disclosure statement.
Thank you!
Sara Luker
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