Ian's Walk: A Story About Autism

Ian's Walk: A Story About Autism

1998 • 32 pages

Ratings1

Average rating4

15

Good introduction picture book to a potentially complex relationship of siblings.

I have one complaint about ‘a note about autism'. I think this terminology is unintentionally damaging: “The healthy siblings learn valuable lessons of responsibility...”
The word healthy stops me, worries me.
I believe the best term is ‘neurotypical'; it is the best choice, if it is fitting. It could also be said ‘siblings without (the challenge of) autism', I understand that it's bulky, but it's better than ‘other' which is also problematic.

I did appreciate that the word normal was in quotes: “Very often the child with autism looks “normal” but reacts so very differently...”

December 4, 2017