Autism and Spirituality ─ Psyche, Self and Spirit in People on the Autism Spectrum

Offering a synthesis of science and wisdom, Bogdashina presents some of the key insights and issues into how autistics experience the world and spirituality. She draws on interdisciplinary research in anthropology, linguistics, psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, and religion. The autistic people quoted in the book are from all over the world. Autism and Spirituality is not a how-to book, but rather an aid to understanding the inner worlds of the autistic person and how these worlds create the spiritual dimension in their lives. She provides some explanations for the strong connection between autism and spirituality. There are 10 chapters from defining autism and spirituality, and the autistic personality to sensitivities and differing realities, spiritual experiences, and sense of right and wrong. She targets professionals, parents and autistic individuals who are interested in spirituality. She hopes to provide the reader also with more self-awareness and increased perception and understanding of human diversity. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Olga Bogdashina, MA, PhD, is Co-founder and Programme Leader and Lecturer at the International Autism Institute, KSPU. She has worked extensively in the field of autism as a teacher, lecturer and researcher. Since 1994, she has been Director of the first day centre for children with autism in Ukraine and President of the Autism Society of Ukraine. She is a visiting lecturer at universities in Europe, presents at national and international autism conferences and is an Autism Consultant for services for children and adults. She is the author of Autism and the Edges of the Known World, Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Communication Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome and Theory of Mind and the Triad of Perspectives on Autism and Asperger Syndrome, all published by JKP. Olga has a 25-year-old son with autism and lives in West Yorkshire, UK.