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Views from the Spectrum: A Window into Life and Faith with Your Neurodivergent Child
A remarkable inside look at the intersection of faith and autism for parents longing to connect their children with God's love
Raising a child with autism is both a challenge and an adventure--and sometimes parents need to know there can also be wonderful potential for blessings. Views from the Spectrum shares the inspiring stories of twenty amazing young adults with autism and how each of their family's unwavering support and faith in God led them to accomplish what was thought impossible. As a thriving adult with autism himself, Ron Sandison is determined to educate the world on the gifts and talents autism can cultivate--even when they differ from our expectations of typical success.
While it is primarily a much-needed how-to guide for parents of children with special needs, this book is also a stunning view into the world of autism. Readers will witness the courage of Tyler Gianchetta, who rescued his mother from a burning vehicle. They'll marvel at the artistic talent of nonverbal poet and artist Kimberly Dixon, admire the determination of Armani Williams, competing as a NASCAR driver, and find encouragement in the many other stories within these pages. In addition to these experiences, Sandison has also interviewed top experts in the autism field and shares their insights here.
Sandison weaves narrative with Scripture, sharing his own journey with autism throughout the book. Full of anecdotes, scientific research, parenting tips, prayers, devotions, and more, Views from the Spectrum is a celebration of autism, faith, and the possibilities at their intersection.
Raising a child with autism is both a challenge and an adventure--and sometimes parents need to know there can also be wonderful potential for blessings. Views from the Spectrum shares the inspiring stories of twenty amazing young adults with autism and how each of their family's unwavering support and faith in God led them to accomplish what was thought impossible. As a thriving adult with autism himself, Ron Sandison is determined to educate the world on the gifts and talents autism can cultivate--even when they differ from our expectations of typical success.
While it is primarily a much-needed how-to guide for parents of children with special needs, this book is also a stunning view into the world of autism. Readers will witness the courage of Tyler Gianchetta, who rescued his mother from a burning vehicle. They'll marvel at the artistic talent of nonverbal poet and artist Kimberly Dixon, admire the determination of Armani Williams, competing as a NASCAR driver, and find encouragement in the many other stories within these pages. In addition to these experiences, Sandison has also interviewed top experts in the autism field and shares their insights here.
Sandison weaves narrative with Scripture, sharing his own journey with autism throughout the book. Full of anecdotes, scientific research, parenting tips, prayers, devotions, and more, Views from the Spectrum is a celebration of autism, faith, and the possibilities at their intersection.
264 pages, Paperback
Published May 25, 2021
8 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 8, 2021
As a parent of a child with autism, I've often wished for a peek into my son's mind, to know how he feels and thinks. "Views from the Spectrum" allows me that opportunity, written by author, husband, and parent Ron Sandison.
What a gift to anyone who is learning about autism! When the world offers only discouragement, Ron offers a vision of what can be... no matter what our current situations tell us. There is, in fact, a secret to accomplishing what some say is impossible, and Ron knows it well. The secret is faith in something greater... God.
If that bothers you, I hope you will read this book before making up your mind. Ron's book is full of anecdotes, scientific research and expert opinions. It's also full of prayers, scripture and hope. Lots of hope!
A doctor once told me that my son would never be able to hold down a job... or even know what the word "job" meant. I refused to accept that future for my son. Today, he is on the Dean's list at his university, drives to work, laughs, has friends, and is full of joy. The doctor was wrong! We chose to gather our hope and strength from the same source as Ron's family did.
This book will grab you by the hand and introduce you to this hope. It's full of inspiring family stories of 20 neurodivergent young adults who have done what many deemed impossible. Yes, there is hope. Ron knows it, I have seen it, and you can, too.
You'll be blessed... I know it.
What a gift to anyone who is learning about autism! When the world offers only discouragement, Ron offers a vision of what can be... no matter what our current situations tell us. There is, in fact, a secret to accomplishing what some say is impossible, and Ron knows it well. The secret is faith in something greater... God.
If that bothers you, I hope you will read this book before making up your mind. Ron's book is full of anecdotes, scientific research and expert opinions. It's also full of prayers, scripture and hope. Lots of hope!
A doctor once told me that my son would never be able to hold down a job... or even know what the word "job" meant. I refused to accept that future for my son. Today, he is on the Dean's list at his university, drives to work, laughs, has friends, and is full of joy. The doctor was wrong! We chose to gather our hope and strength from the same source as Ron's family did.
This book will grab you by the hand and introduce you to this hope. It's full of inspiring family stories of 20 neurodivergent young adults who have done what many deemed impossible. Yes, there is hope. Ron knows it, I have seen it, and you can, too.
You'll be blessed... I know it.
June 3, 2021
This book is heart warming and truly a must read for every parent who has a child on the spectrum. I absolutely loved the viewpoints from Ron Sandison, parents and children. This book is inspirational and loaded with helpful prayers and scriptures to help families be encouraged. Buy this book!!!!
June 15, 2021
I love, love, love this book. Even with my more than 15 years of experience with a child with Asperger's, I still learned new encouraging tips. So practical. And being written by a man on the spectrum gives the reader a true insider's look. Whether you work with someone on the spectrum (adult or child), are raising someone on the spectrum, or interact with neurodivergent people, you will find this book valuable. Oh, and Ron includes the voices of girls and women on the spectrum too. Amazing!
August 25, 2022
A refreshing and comforting book for those integrally involved with children on the spectrum; filled with practical experiential examples and advice. This work is especially directed towards their parents and caregivers and covers the varied difficulties and challenges parents of neurodivergent children daily face. Parent participation is an essential key to the advancement and development of spectrum children: "At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child's success is the positive involvement of parents." Former Arizona Governor Jane D. Hull
We read that 'spectrum' children showed more motivation, paid closer attention, and remembered what they learned more easily when the arts were integrated into their curriculum. Could a contributing factor in the decline in right-brain centered academics throughout educational institutions during the early adolescent school years have successfully precluded the natural development and intelligence growth significantly amongst youth over the past few decades... and will this continue, producing additional lower-level-intelligence generations in future years?
Surprisingly, and sadly, we learn that only five percent of individuals with autism are gainfully employed; and hat, in 1982, only one in ten-thousand children in the USA were even diagnosed autistic compared to today's one out of fifty-four, with boys being identified four times as often as girls - somewhat similar to Savant Syndrome with a male/female six-to-one ratio. As mentioned in this work: Never allow doctors and educators to limit your spectrum child's potential.
The rarity of Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM) is another aspect covered. Only eighty individuals in world are reported to possess this attribute. (See: https://cnlm.uci.edu/hsam/). Overall, an excellent work highlighted by relevant biblical references from many of the Bible's sixty-six books.
- Excerpts:
"This world is in desperate need of creative and intellectual minds to solve complex problems. But before we can do that, we need to build a culture that accepts mental diversity." Alix Generous
"Throughout this book the roles of prayer, belief, and faith are included as important elements in the goal of realizing the full potential in those persons with their curious mix of giftedness and limitation." Darold A. Treffert, MD
Works that may also be of interest to you:
-Islands of Genius by Darold A. Treffert.
-Extraordinary People: Understanding Savant Syndrome by Darold A. Treffert.
-The Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders and Birth Defects by James Wynbrandt, Mark D. Ludman.
-Synaesthesia: A Very Short Introduction by Julia Simner.
-On some of the mental affections of childhood and youth: being the Lettsomian lectures delivered before the Medical Society of London in 1887, together with other papers by Down, John Langdon Haydon, 1828-1896; Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 1887.
-Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards 1999.
We read that 'spectrum' children showed more motivation, paid closer attention, and remembered what they learned more easily when the arts were integrated into their curriculum. Could a contributing factor in the decline in right-brain centered academics throughout educational institutions during the early adolescent school years have successfully precluded the natural development and intelligence growth significantly amongst youth over the past few decades... and will this continue, producing additional lower-level-intelligence generations in future years?
Surprisingly, and sadly, we learn that only five percent of individuals with autism are gainfully employed; and hat, in 1982, only one in ten-thousand children in the USA were even diagnosed autistic compared to today's one out of fifty-four, with boys being identified four times as often as girls - somewhat similar to Savant Syndrome with a male/female six-to-one ratio. As mentioned in this work: Never allow doctors and educators to limit your spectrum child's potential.
The rarity of Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM) is another aspect covered. Only eighty individuals in world are reported to possess this attribute. (See: https://cnlm.uci.edu/hsam/). Overall, an excellent work highlighted by relevant biblical references from many of the Bible's sixty-six books.
- Excerpts:
"This world is in desperate need of creative and intellectual minds to solve complex problems. But before we can do that, we need to build a culture that accepts mental diversity." Alix Generous
"Throughout this book the roles of prayer, belief, and faith are included as important elements in the goal of realizing the full potential in those persons with their curious mix of giftedness and limitation." Darold A. Treffert, MD
Works that may also be of interest to you:
-Islands of Genius by Darold A. Treffert.
-Extraordinary People: Understanding Savant Syndrome by Darold A. Treffert.
-The Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders and Birth Defects by James Wynbrandt, Mark D. Ludman.
-Synaesthesia: A Very Short Introduction by Julia Simner.
-On some of the mental affections of childhood and youth: being the Lettsomian lectures delivered before the Medical Society of London in 1887, together with other papers by Down, John Langdon Haydon, 1828-1896; Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 1887.
-Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards 1999.
July 26, 2022
While I do not have a child who has been diagnosed with autism, I have several indicators that someone in my day to day life could be. I purchased this book, looking for anything that could help me in a relationship with someone who is possibly neuro-divergent. This book gave me several insights about learned helplessness, feeling stuck, developing a healthy self-efficacy, and so much more. The words between this cover caused me to laugh, involuntarily, and cry as I read the stories like that of Walker Aurand, who after an exhibition about changing the world by informing its people about autism, discovered his phone blowing up, and finding out just how many people really cared when they learned about the struggles he was learning to cope with. It was a very pleasant read, one I found through the radio program of In the Market with Janet Parshall.
August 11, 2023
I should know more and be more compassionate towards those with neurodivergencies like Autism as I treat these patients and have personal experience.
The author himself is autistic and sees it as an adventure and a challenge. I learned about flapping, advocating for those who are neurodivergent, inability to recognize emotions of others.
I don't know the mind of an autistic child-- or how they make decisions or if they are in control of their own decisions.
4 stars. Many good ideas and questions.
The author himself is autistic and sees it as an adventure and a challenge. I learned about flapping, advocating for those who are neurodivergent, inability to recognize emotions of others.
I don't know the mind of an autistic child-- or how they make decisions or if they are in control of their own decisions.
4 stars. Many good ideas and questions.
April 20, 2024
A must read for Christian parents raising a neurodivergent child or involved in the lives of people on the spectrum! It was incredibly encouraging! There were so many helpful tips and activities the parents Ron interviewed used to connect and encourage their children. I'm only 4 years into my journey with littles guy with autism but books like these make this journey a little easier for him and for me!
December 13, 2023
I appreciate the stories that Ron shares both as a person with Autism and as a parent. The many inspirational stores about families with children with autism are incredible and the way Ron connects it to his faith is beautiful.
Want to read
July 25, 2021Recommended from Christian magazine-author was diagnosed with autism in 1982
January 14, 2023
This was a helpful book for me being the mother of a child on the Spectrum. Reading about other families struggles and accomplishment gave me motivation and more suggestions for my childs success.
July 31, 2025
Insightful and interesting, thankful that this resource is available for me to learn and feel encouraged to be a pastor for kids on the spectrum
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews