In a recent issue of «Ombre e Luci» devoted to play, we excerpted this book at length. Now we recommend it wholeheartedly to all our readers who want to understand autism and the autistic person more deeply. It is one of the most recent works on the subject, written by the mother of an autistic child—a woman who is also a physician, psychoanalyst, and child psychiatrist. The book combines clarity of language with lived experience and scientific knowledge of what research has so far been able to discern beyond the mystery of autism. Above all, it carries the warmth that only a mother can bring to such a subject. The result is a book that is both easy to read and gripping. The author moves from her portrait of the autistic child in early life through adolescence and adulthood, explaining the sources of the distinctive behavior that signals deep suffering—behavior that must be decoded and understood piece by piece.
How does such a child's personality form? What are the gaps and difficulties in how he or she learns? What are his defenses, his needs? How do we identify his capacities? Are there appropriate psychotherapies and medications? What tests are essential? How do we help him make himself understood, grow aware of his own emotions, recognize them in others? How do we teach him the simple gestures of daily life—relating to people, the pleasure of play and leisure?
The book answers these questions and many others that parents and professionals ask every day. What emerges clearly is the importance of proper education from the earliest years, and the necessity of genuine teamwork among teachers, educators, doctors, and parents.
In closing, the author urges parents to join organizations devoted to autistic people and provides a list of such groups throughout Italy and Europe.