Fragile Success: Nine Autistic Children, Childhood to Adulthood Book

If you have lived or worked with a child with autism, you've wondered what the child will be like as an adult - how the child will develop and learn to live independently. In this uncommon book, you'll get a rare view of autism in all its variations as former teacher Virginia Sperry traces the lives of her students over 30 years. As you follow the children into adulthood, you'll get firsthand facts about this developmental disability as witnessed by their teachers, medical professionals, social workers, and parents. These true case histories provide insight into the mystery and diversity of autism - how it affects the students' personal lives, social habits, work, and hobbies and how their conditions have changed over the years. In this second edition, the author revisits her students and updates you on their progress. You'll review their original evaluations and see test data collected in adulthood by Fred R. Volkmar, M.D., as well as detailed information about each person's life circumstances, living arrangements, vocation, and social interactions. Several of the case histories include parent commentaries detailing their child's condition and outcomes. You'll discover the recent strides made in the understanding of and medical treatments for autism and be inspired by these ten extraordinary people who have faced adversity and, for some, achieved a fragile success.Read More