By Stanley I. Greenspan, Gil Tippy
Vantage Press, $ 19.95, 226 pages
ISBN 9780533164547

When you hear or read the word “Autism,” the first image that comes to your mind is likely the 1988 Dustin Hoffman – Tom Cruise movie Rain Man. Hoffman played Raymond, the autistic younger brother. Spill a container of toothpicks on a table, Raymond knew how many had been spilled. Go to Las Vegas, Raymond could count cards like a machine. It was a great movie. Except that story was not the whole story of autism.

There are autistics like the fictional Raymond. One of the children in Respecting Autism has the ability to tell time in his head. Without a clock anywhere in sight, he knows with pinpoint accuracy when it is 3:30. Equally, he can also memorize entire city maps and transit routes after a few minutes of study. Even with that, however, although he knows his route and destination, when faced as a pedestrian with a stop light, it may turn red to green to red to green five to fifteen times before he will cross the street.

There is much more to Autism than just strange memory tricks, which only a few autistics have. Autism is a term that covers a range of disorders, including but not limited to, sensory sensitivities, inabilities to process knowledge into action, or compulsive hand fluttering.

The Rebecca School in New York attempts with considerable success to assist autistic children in developing and overcoming their disability. Its methodology is detailed in the case studies presented in Respecting Autism. The child is given an initial therapy regimen, then Dr. Stanley Greenspan would assess both client and treatment and make his recommendations. I was truly saddened to read that Dr. Greenspan passed away not long before this book was released. He seems to have been a wonderful and intuitive practitioner.
The methodology is very much individually oriented and play-based; specifically, play is in accordance with Dr. Greenspan’s Floortime model. The client-child is given full respect for his or her individuality and creativity. Trainer-therapists follow the child’s lead, while attempting to increase circles of communication and expand skills.

I truly believe that this book is a valuable addition to the shelves of both therapists, special education teachers, and parents of autistic children. These are proven techniques and strategies for the former to put in place, and for the latter to insist upon. An intriguing book that provides methods for hope.

Reviewed by Hubert O’Hearn