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Severe Autism, Denied Support: Struggling to Survive in the Mainstream

by Leonard Jayson with Marla Comm

262 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #07-0030; ISBN 1-4251-1621-3; US$21.95, C$25.24, EUR17.11, £11.34

"Severe Autism, Denied Support" is a superb read not only for therapists and clinicians, but for parents and teachers - everyone seeking a deeper understanding of adult autism and accompanying disorders.

About the Book

At age three, Marla Comm was diagnosed with autism, but thought to have good intellectual potential.

Both parents had socially-conformist values, so that Marla's anti-social behavior was totally unacceptable. Verbally abused throughout childhood, she was badgered to become normal - despite having a rigid personality and unsusceptible to change.

Now at age fifty, Marla's lack of social feeling, rigid routines, problematic language, poor imagination, inflexibility, repetitive tendencies, and ritualistic behaviors are lifelong traits, consistent with autism and other disorders.

Anxiety, one of her most debilitating symptoms, has left her unable to achieve conscious relaxation or put aside life's inevitable stressors.

While daily chores frustrate Marla, they are nothing compared to the anger and self-mutilation she suffers when preparing meals in the kitchen.

Years of struggling in the mainstream, with little or no support, have caused a condition of burnout, symptomatic of mental and physical exhaustion.

Having to live in Montreal, her misery is especially severe; it is a city that fails to meet her needs for affordable, healthful food, human civility, supportive psychiatry, and adequate social services.

Inclement weather - half the year - prevents daily outdoor exercise. For her, it means countless days of suffering that only a loss of consciousness can relieve: a daytime-oblivion of deep sleep - made possible with cheap wine and knock-out pills!

Gifted with long-term memory, and intent on learning more about her neurological disorders, she has done extensive reading, over the years, although, in bits-and-pieces.

Highly recommended, the reader will experience the life story of a highly intelligent, autistic woman consumed with dysfunctional behavior; the very same Marla who - in the next breath - can discuss with professional expertise the nuances of her mental disorders.

The hardcover version of this title is available for order now from Amazon: Severe Autism, Denied Support: Struggling to Survive in the Mainstream

About the Author

Leonard Jayson holds an MS degree in pre-clinical psychology. He was employed by the New York City Board of Education for 25 years, as a classroom teacher, then Reading Coordinator of a school district, and finally director of a school clinic for dyslexic children. He currently spends time studying neurological disorders.

Excerpts