Silent Running: Our Family’s Journey to the Finish Line with Autism

by Robyn K. Schneider, Kate Hopper

Running is a way of life for the Schneider family, but for them, it’s about much more than fitness and competition. Silent Our Family’s Journey to the Finish Line with Autism is the story of how running saved their lives.  At 21 months old, identical twin brothers Alex and Jamie were diagnosed with autism. It was 1992, a time when autism was far from a household word, before online autism forums and advocacy groups even existed. Robyn and her husband Allan were heartsick, but determined to find a cure for their sons, and thus their journey into the world of autism began.  But soon it was clear that both Alex and Jamie had severe autism and would most likely not be cured. In Silent Running , Robyn Schneider takes readers on an intimate journey from a double diagnosis of autism, through many years of heartache, to a place of joy. Silent Running is a story of unrelenting love, of parents who never stop chasing after the silver lining, intent on finding happiness for their sons. And find happiness they do—in running. In Schneider’s moving memoir, readers see Alex and Jamie transformed through running, their lives enriched. And eventually they reach a place where running, rather than autism, defines them. Along the journey, both Robyn and Allan face their own personal challenges. Allan begins running to help manage his symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and Robyn, while undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, laces up her own running shoes, determined to run her way to recovery—for her family and for herself. And she hasn’t stopped. Despite their incredible daily challenges, Alex and Jamie have now run in almost 150 mainstream races, including nine marathons. And Robyn and Allan have been right there, either cheering for or running alongside their sons.
 In Silent Running , Robyn Schneider shares her family’s remarkable story of triumph in the face of enormous hurdles, and the passion that has fueled their fight. It is an extraordinary and inspiring story of perseverance and hope, and of never giving up.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2015

About the author

Robyn is the mom of twin sons with severe autism. She devotes her life to advocating for improving outcomes for children and adults on the autism spectrum as well as promoting the benefits of exercise for individuals with autism and other medical conditions. She’s written articles and blogs on topics related to autism, and she and her family have been featured in numerous major media outlets. Robyn lives in Great Neck, New York, with her husband and two sons. Visit her website at: www.robynkschneider.com and www.autismrunners.com.

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before it happened, one of my greatest fears as a parent was a diagnosis of autism in my young child. It's a milestone that doesn't get talked about, but one that every parent is quietly waiting to check off their child's developmental list. First steps - check. First word - check. Old enough to no longer be considered at risk for an autism spectrum diagnosis - check. But an increasing number of parents these days don't get to check that last one, including myself and Robyn Schneider, the author of 'Silent Running.'

My son's autism spectrum diagnosis wasn't a huge surprise. He'd never been very responsive to calling of his name, never made much eye contact, was fascinated by odd toys and knick-knacks (he would always carry around a red block wherever he went in his early days of walking, holding it like some kind of talisman, even when performing a difficult task like climbing stairs, when he could have used that other hand for balance). We got him into early intervention, and even though we suspected a spectrum disorder, we never directly spoke of autism, using hushed tones and treating it as the Voldemort of our household (the disorder which shall not be named). We got his hearing tested (it was fine), had him tested for sensory disorders (a possibility, but also possibly related to a spectrum disorder), and eventually, tested for autism.

The diagnosis that he was on the spectrum was both devastating and a relief. Now we knew, and now we could do something about it. We enrolled him in ABA services and anxiously awaited progress. His first words, robust eye contact. In our minds, he'd be a regular kid in no time. But, as we discovered, that's not really how it works. It's all about small, incremental gains, the kinds that don't happen overnight.

Through it all, the thing that has amazed me the most is how little any of it matters. Sure, there are sacrifices and challenges, but at the end of the day, all that really matters is his happiness and our love for one another.

That's something that Robyn Schneider wonderfully captures in 'Silent Running.' There is no question that the Schneider family was dealt a difficult hand in having a spectrum disorder diagnosis in both of their identical twin sons, especially at a time (the mid-90s) when we understood even less about autism than we do today. ABA services were still nascent and hard to come by, and support and care were harder still. Robyn and her husband were left to handle the bulk of her children's care on their own, all while supporting their family financially as a two income household. Their struggles and triumphs make up the bulk of the book's early chapters, and truth be told, there are many of each throughout. From being the driving force in the creation of a special services school for children like their own, to devastating health diagnoses, the Schneider family's seemingly unwavering sense of optimism and thankfulness for all the good they have in their lives is infectious and serves as an inspiration for all readers.

Many times throughout the book, I couldn't help but smile and think of my own little guy in seeing the clear camaraderie between the twins, even with their limited capacity for verbal communication. Although he is still non-verbal, my son finds so many wonderful ways to communicate, including unexpected displays of affection. Seeing how well the Schneider twins, Alex and Jamie, are doing despite their challenges, to say nothing of their unbelievable triumphs (there is no question that Jamie is a better runner than 99% of the people who will read this book - he puts my PR to shame), is not only heart-warming, but truly inspiring. On a personal level, seeing how the twins have brought their family closer together in ways previously unimagined (both Robyn and her husband took up running with their sons, and the positive effects both mental and physical are mentioned throughout the book), has given me hope that my son will make his own discovery of hidden talent as he grows, maybe even something of which our whole family can take part.

In short, this is a great book for anyone looking for something to inspire them. The obstacles the Schneider family has overcome are enormous (I've barely scratched the surface in this review), but their triumphs are even greater. I look forward to sharing it with my son when he's older.

[Literary Mama]

Robyn K. Schneider's memoir, Silent Running: Our Family's Journey to the Finish Line with Autism, shows that as mothers, we can handle almost anything—including conditions that initially seem to threaten what we want for our children. In her book, Schneider reflects on being a mother of twin boys, both of whom had significant symptoms of autism. For this project, Schneider collaborated with author and former Literary Mama editor Kate Hopper to write her story. The book brings readers into Schneider's world as she grapples with feelings of both loss and determination in her quest to meet and ultimately accept her sons' needs. And although my own boys have faced different challenges with their bodies and with their learning—such as food allergies and ADHD—I was quickly pulled into Schneider's dramatic story about learning how best to raise twins on the autism spectrum and found myself particularly moved by her reflections on hope, loss, and perseverance that are universal to so many aspects of parenting.

Read Literary Mama's full review here:
http://www.literarymama.com/reviews/a...

Silent Running was also recommended in a "Now Reading" post by Literary Mama staff:

There are times you pick up a book, and it becomes a fast friend you can't imagine letting go. I haven't read a book in a while that I couldn't put down, but I do so love that feeling.

In her selection, Social Media Editor Caryn Mohr captures the intensity with which you can love a good book: "I just devoured Silent Running: Our Family’s Journey to the Finish Line with Autism by Robyn K. Schneider and former Literary Reflections Editor Kate Hopper. The book delves into universal themes of loss, hope, and resilience that resonated deeply with me as a parent of children with special needs. Spanning from her twin sons’ dual diagnosis of severe autism at a time before it was a household word to their first marathon finish, Robyn Schneider advocates for her sons’ needs unrelentingly. Many mothers will see themselves in her drive to build a joyful life that is different from what she had imagined; she honors their needs without letting them define her children. Robyn’s positive attitude even in the face of her and her husband’s own medical issues is an inspiration to any parents facing adversity who have worried about what would happen to their kids. This is a triumphant story told with love and honesty, complexities and realities; it's a powerful tribute to the sons at the heart of it. I couldn’t put it down."

Literary Mama's full Now Reading post can be found here: http://www.literarymama.com/blog/arch...

[Sigrid Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn into this memoir by the clear and dynamic prose of Minnesota writer Kate Hopper, and subsequently found the book full of Robyn Schneider’s generous, courageous details and honest emotions, from panic to joy. Faced with double diagnoses of autism when their twins Jamie and Alex were 21 months old, Robyn and her husband Allan Schneider quickly found out what they were capable of. The book is also a moving account of the building of an ever-growing network of family, friends, medical professionals, and volunteers who joined them on their quest to find happiness for the children they love. The book is a good read no matter what your circumstances are; but it would be especially helpful and inspiring for anyone who has autism in their family, particularly for families facing the diagnosis for the first time. Silent Running: Our Family’s Journey to the Finish Line with Autism

[Mike Harms · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is inspiring on many levels. As a runner, I enjoyed how running transformed two lives in such a positive way. As a human being, I enjoyed how a family and a community came together to overcome adversity. I'm a great believer in physical fitness playing an important role in mental health. This book showed how passion for a sport can lift lives in deeply meaningful ways.

[Eileen Mandell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a mother of twin boys who have a high level of autism. IT occurs during the 1990s before support groups & additional funding & better understanding was easily accessible. This mother faces great decisions with these boys. They are loud, occasionally violent &difficult to control so she investigates the latest research to help her boys "to get better". I was impressed with the overwhelming support that she was able to get, experts that she met, & the determination that she demonstrated throughout the years of this book. Many questions were faced & left without answers. She learned to enjoy the smallest of successes along with the milestones. Every parent should read this book.....

[Tiffany N. Arango · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well written, while also being raw and honest. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope this book continues to bring more awareness and acceptance for autism, and awareness for the impacts of applied behavior analysis (ABA) on a person's overall well-being while still allowing them to be who they are.

[yary diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book.

This book is book an inspirational. This book will not try to convince the reader about autism spectrum beliefs. This book is a honest narrative about a family's journey dealing with autism. Keep writing and running.

[Kate Vogl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational, especially for those who love running, for those with a connection to autism, or for those who have a loved one diagnosed with breast cancer. Also (fittingly), an easy and quick-paced read.

[Shelley Carrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is amazing/ the sons of these parents show true perseverance
Because of their parents & a awesome support group/ The trials but also tribulations shows how unconditional love prevails / If you do not know Of
An autistic child I am sure you have encountered a child/ this journey
For this family a life time commitment makes you truly appreciate how they
Live each day with struggles of autism / you will not be able to put this
Book down