Autism: An Inside-Out Approach

This must be the book most long awaited by therapists working with people with autism... The sensory and perceptual difficulties that challenge autistic people, together with strategies for tackling them, are described in depth. The case histories are illuminating and the review of professional approaches to autism as seen and experienced from the inside is of great interest to the working therapist. I liked the author's very personal form of assessment and her description of an ideal environment in which to work with autistic people. The appendix contains a list of hints for dealing with a variety of problems. The range is vast and touches on subjects as diverse as hairwashing and problems with textures.

Therapy Weekly

A clear and effective writer, Williams is able to describe her experiences with rare clarity, depth and understanding. Her new book titled Autism: An Inside-Out Approach takes us further into the disability and offers new opportunities to further our understanding. She adds new dimensions to our insights of the problems people with autism have with connections, control, and communication. After reading her exciting new book I know I have many new ways of thinking about my clients and their needs. I want to thank Donna Williams for another splendid triumph and suggest that any student of autism should run to their nearest bookstore and add this to their list of readings.

Professor Gary B Mesibov, University of North Carolina, and Director, North Carolina Autism Program

Williams provides useful, personal insights into autism as well as an extensive knowledge of treatment programmes. Three features of autism - social interaction problems, communication difficulties and bizarre behaviour - provide the basis of Williams' arguement. This remarkable and interesting book brings a personal perspective to a condition which continues to challenge much of our knowledge and thinking.

Educational Psychology in Practice

The author has obviously read widely about autism and discussed the subject with many who themselves have autism or who have endeavoured to address its challenges. It is challenging for those who may think they are beginning to unravel its mysteries. The insights it provides into the way people with autism learn must impact on the way professionals and carers seek to teach, support, enable and empower.

Bulletin (Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists)

...of interest to parents and health education and social work practitioners. The exceptional quality of Donna Williams' book is that is written by a person who was diagnosed as having 'autism', whatever that means, as she says in her introduction...essential reading for those with a substantial interest in the topic.

Share an Idea (Magazine of Contact a Family)

I found the chapter on approaches to autism and the appendix giving her advice on coping with many aspects of autism particularly interesting.

Newsletter for Scottish Support for Learning Association

Donna Williams gives practical advice on helping autistic people to make connections in a chapter entitled 'artifical limbs'. This is excellent and would provide a useful focus for parents and teachers. The metaphor is telling; indeed one of the delights of the book is the way that Donna Williams uses extended metaphors to explain her points. One such is that of a telephone call with crossed lines, wrong numbers and disconnections... throughout the book the message comes across loud and clear that one must look beyond the surface behaviour and that one must show respect for the autistic person. Donna Williams rightly emphasises the danger of merely forcing the autistic person to 'act normal' - though this may sometimes have its place - as what we see as problems may in fact be hard won compensations to a world often devoid of meaning.

ALAS Newsletter