 Valerie Paradiž’s memoir of raising a son with Asperger’s Syndrome led her to cross what she calls ‘cultural boundaries’ to overcome her fears about her son’s condition. A reviewer from Publisher’s Weekly called the hardcover edition of Elijah’s Cup: A Family’s Journey into the Community and Culture of High-Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, “… a moving personal story that highlights a new way of thinking about people diagnosed as autistic.” Elijah’s Cup has become a highly recommended resource for anyone wanting to learn more about the disorder and the mutual support and self-respect of the autistic community.
Since Elijah’s Cup was first published, Valerie Paradiž has gone on to found ASPIE, the School for Autistic Strength, Purpose and Independence in Education. ASPIE is a full day educational program for middle and high school students on the autism spectrum who have diagnoses or clinical descriptions such as Asperger's Syndrome (AS), high functioning autism (HFA), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), or another significant social/communication disorder. The ASPIE School has received media attention for being a new model of how to teach young people with autism. An article in the December 20, 2004 issue of The New York Times said, “…Autistic Strength, Purpose and Independence in Education is rooted in view of autism as alternative form of brain wiring, with its own benefits and drawbacks, rather than devastating disorder in need of curing…”
The newly published paperback revised edition of Elijah’s Cup (May 2005, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, $16.95; 1-84310-802-X) includes an epilogue on how Paradiž started the school. “In 2002 … I went on a book tour and witnessed first hand from parents and educators how Elijah’s hardships and dilemmas were not unlike those of his
peers all across the United States. Families who had had the good fortune of securing
proper educational and therapeutic placements for their kids in grade school were facing the fact that there was simply nowhere to go once their children moved into puberty and beyond.” “It was April 2003. How it all came together is still a wonder to me, but by September that same year ASPIE’S doors had opened.” The paperback version also includes words from Elijah himself. He talks about the difficulties he faced in his mainstream school. At ASPIE, he has made friends and thrives in the support provided by the school and his autistic friends across the country.
Jessica Kingsley Publishers specializes in producing accessible professional and academic books in the social and behavioral sciences. In 2007, Jessica Kingsley Publishers was named both the Academic & Professional Publisher of the Year and the overall Independent Publisher of the Year at the Independent Publishing Awards in London. The prizes coincide with Jessica Kingsley Publishers' 20th year as an independent company. Jessica Kingsley books are available worldwide through distributors, local bookstores and online bookstores. The company has offices in London and Philadelphia. More information can be found at www.jkp.com. |
