A Parent’s Guide to Autism
A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice, Biblical Wisdom is the first Christian book on autism written by an author who has Asperger’s Syndrome. It’s also the first written by an individual with autism to be published by a national Christian publisher, Charisma House. It is currently available through Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
This guide will help readers have an in-depth understanding of autism, and provide a plan for parents to raise happy, healthy children.
One in every sixty-eight children will be diagnosed with autism. More children will be diagnosed with autism than with AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined. This means every year in America sixty thousand families will receive the diagnosis that their precious son or daughter has an autism spectrum disorder. With diagnosis at such an alarming rate, how can parents be equipped to confidently raise children with autism?
All children can flourish and mature through love.
A Parent’s Guide to Autism offers interviews from forty experts, exclusive teaching on bully-proofing children, as well as practical wisdom, biblical knowledge, and life experiences from Ron Sandison. He compassionately shares his own personal struggles with overcoming autism as a minister and professional in the medical field to help parents raise outstanding children.
The book features interviews with more than 40 experts in the autism community and 40 parents of children diagnosed with autism, including:
- Jill Marzo, the mother of Clay Marzo, a professional surfer with Asperger’s
- Edie Branning, the mother of Mikey Branning, one of the fastest high school mile runners in the nation
- Dr. Lynn Koegel, founder of Autism Research Center at University of California
- Anthony Ianni, former Michigan State University basketball player and first NCAA Division 1 athlete with autism.
- Kimberley Wineman, the mother of Miss Montana 2012, Alexis Wineman (who is on the spectrum)
News Articles on A Parent’s Guide to Autism
Although Ron Sandison of Rochester Hills is diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, he does not let that hold him back.
He has recently signed with national publisher Charisma House, and his book, “A [Parent’s] Guide to Autism,” is expected to be released next year at Family Christian Book Stores, Barnes and Noble stores, and on Amazon’s website.
Sandison said his book “is the first Christian book on autism written by an author who has Asperger’s.”
Ron Sandison has autism.
He also has a savant gift for memorization. He has memorized more than 10,000 Bible verses and can recite 22 complete books of the New Testament, word perfect.
And he has translated two-thirds of the Bible from the original Greek into English.
Ron Sandison was diagnosed nearly 30 years ago. He has written books and earned several degrees. His latest book, “A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice. Biblical Wisdom”, will be available [April 2016]. For it Sanderson spoke with more than 40 families affected by the disorder and 40 medical professionals who detail the disorder.
Ron Sandison knows firsthand the challenges faced by people with autism.
Diagnosed with the brain development disorder at about age 2, he has experienced discrimination, bullying and the feeling of being an outsider.
“The main challenge is that it’s a disability that you can’t always see,” Sandison said. “If you’re in a wheelchair, people can see that; with autism, you can have social awkwardness and can’t filter things you say, so people take it the wrong way.”
Editorial Reviews
Brimming with insight and compassion, Ron Sandison is a wonderful story-teller. Just like Jesus told stories, Ron uses stories that you won’t forget as a way of conveying important concepts and principles about autism. He weaves together his strong Christian faith with his understanding of his own autism and the lives of others on the autism spectrum. This book takes the reader to a new level of empathy and respect for individuals who live with autism.
With Spectrum disorders on the rise, so are the number of published studies and personal accounts of life with autism. However, rarely do we rare find an author diagnosed with autism clearly blend individual experiences with such proficient knowledge. Ron offers a perspective that contains current, accurate research within a theological framework; shedding light on the vast struggles and significant issues we need to understand as we embrace those with differences. I applaud Ron for handling the complex subject clearly, authentically, and effectively.
—Colleen Swindoll-Thompson, Special Needs Ministry Director, Insight for Living
If you are looking for an in-depth study to help you navigate the Christian response to Autism this book is for you. Ron has given a personal and professional perspective on the challenges of Autism, and how as a Believer we can respond to those challenges. He has come a long way in his own personal journey, and Ron’s unique insight will help those who read this book understand how you can not only respond well, but how you can overcome with God’s help. I know as you read this book you will be encouraged and blessed.
—Pastor Craig Johnson, Director of Ministries at Lakewood Church, Houston, TX
Finally the world is starting to realize the many strengths and gifts that individuals with ASD can offer. Ron is a perfect example of the great intelligence we often see in those on the autism spectrum. His book is interesting, insightful, and intriguing. The challenges that he endured in his younger years are unbelievable and his resiliency is incredible. Ron’s book is truly amazing. Every reader will appreciate his honest and captivating stories.
—Lynn Kern Koegel, PhD, Director, Koegel Autism Center, University of California, Santa Barbara
It’s absolutely fantastic to know that books are being written by people with autism, demonstrating to the world how successful people on the spectrum can be. Especially with the unique slant of encompassing spirituality with autism, as spirituality is very abstract and people on the spectrum are typically very literal and concrete. Being a deeply spiritual person, this is truly important to me and I believe it is also critical to the world, as more and more people can learn to have peace in their heart and be accepting of differences and the unique abilities of others. Kudo’s to you Ron for writing this book. You will certainly spread light on the world through your work where darkness has been in the past.
—Karen Simmons Sicoli, Founder, CEO Autism Today and award winning author
In this one of a kind publication, Ron Sandison shares his unique experience with autism, autism facts and science, as well as relevant Holy Scripture to provide a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about autism and how to support the autism community. As a professional in the field, I see individuals affected by autism and their families feel rejected by society- by churches, due to their differences. Reaching out to all affected by autism, whether it’s an individual on the spectrum or families who have children with autism, it is of great importance to reach out in Christian love, as we are to be God’s hands and feet and seek those in need.
A Parent’s Guide to Autism reveals practical insight on how one can take action to reach out to and understand people on the autism spectrum. I have yet to read a book with the complete package, as A Christian Concise Guide to Autism has. This book is a true blessing to individuals with autism, family members, teachers, neighbors, church leaders—really, for everyone!
—Kimberly Isaac-Emery MS, Autism Specialist/Certified Relationship Development Intervention™ Consultant www.autismwithexcellence.com
If the world fears the diagnosis of autism, then Ron Sandison’s prescription helps us discover instead how those across the autistic spectrum are variously gifted instruments of the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s redemptive work in the world. This parent’s guide thus is honest about autism’s challenges but through such opens up windows into unimagined possibilities for us all.
—Dr. Amos Yong, Professor of Theology & Missions at Fuller Theological, Seminary and author of The Bible, Disability, and the Church: A New Vision of the People of God
Ron Sandison uses his own journey with Asperger’s, his ‘insider’s’ knowledge of the worlds of autism, and extensive research and conversations with professionals, families and people within those worlds to write a book to educate and encourage parents, families and others seeking to find and nurture the gifts in every person. Along the way, he also shares his evangelical Christian faith, his seminary training, and his spiritual discipline of memorizing Bible verses to illuminate the journey. In fact, the reader can sense Ron’s growth in confidence, honesty, sensitivity, and self-reflection as the book progresses. He thus joins a growing number of people with autism who are talking directly about their faith in the growing number of voices at the intersections of faith, theology, and disability.
—Bill Gaventa, M.Div., Director, Summer Institute on Theology and Disability
A Parent’s Guide to Autism is must reading for anyone on the autism spectrum. I learned a lot about how to improve my social skills and become a better team player. Ron gives particularly helpful advice for relatives and friends of individuals on the spectrum on how to help them identify and develop their special gifts and overcome their handicaps. Ron’s Christian pastoral touch beautifully illustrates Paul’s teaching in 2 Corinthians 4 about how all of us, neuroatypical and neurotypical, need to develop the humility and grace to allow God’s glory to shine through our apparent deficiencies.
—Dr. Hugh Ross, astronomer, pastor, president of Reasons To Believe, and author of 17 books on creation
Thought, Choice, Action
Thought, Choice, Action is a rich blend of theology, philosophy and psychology for the postmodern generation. In this fast-paced book, Ron Sandison, an autistic prodigy and theologian, examines our presuppositions and their impact on our perspective and interpretation of life. In parallel, he provides practical insight for spiritual growth and utilizing our power in Christ to transform our world for His glory. Sandison states, “We may not know the causation for our circumstances and situations but with the tripolarity theory we can determine our proper response and attitude to overcome in life.”
Each chapter will give readers a firmer grasp and deeper understanding of God, human free will, and the devil. Like Saint Augustine and other saints before us, readers will see the world afresh with eyes of faith and a heart prepared for the hidden battle.
Blurbs
Thought, Choice, Action is filled with good theology and good sense. Ron’s personal testimony is worth the value of the book.
– Dr. Walter C. Kaiser Jr., the Colman M. Mockler distinguished Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and former President of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary 1997-2006
While exploring the vexing problem of evil in the world and ourselves by drawing on St. Augustine’s tripolarity theory that human agents, the divine and the contra-divine can be authentically accounted for within the bounds of Biblical revelation, Sandison’s contribution is not that he goes intellectually beyond Augustine’s theory much less solve evil’s inscrutability, but that he offers to a modern reader, be-deviled by personal tragedy and injustice, the opportunity to discover the healing which he, and many others whose stories he tells, have experienced. Sandison’s work belongs to the genre of pastoral theology couched in a context of Biblical theology.
– Dr. James F. Lewis, Professor of Religious Studies, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN.
Ron Sandison’s book Thought, Choice, Action integrates insights from Scripture, psychology, and Christian theology to address the fundamental human problems of why evil things happen, and how they can be prevented or overcome. Sandison proposes his “Tripolarity Theory” in which human free choice interacts with the demonic and the divine in decision-making. The author applies these insights to life in his own remarkable testimony and other interesting personal stories. This is a good read with excellent insights for Christian decision-making.
– Dr. Steve Lemke, Provost, Professor of Philosophy and Ethics, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Editor of the Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry
As part of his long journey to understand and live Truth, Ron Sandison found a welcome place of rest in the works of Augustine. In Augustine, Ron finds the foundation for his concept of the Tripolarity Theory as an explanation for our perceptions of and reactions to events in our lives. Thought, Choice, Action, offers an overview of this theory as well as an attempt to apply it to real life situations. This book offers readers some fascinating concepts regarding the problem of evil, decision making in a biblical worldview, and free will, and I think it also offers a good launching point for further conversations on the issue of how some of us perceive and respond to reality within a biblical worldview.
– Dr. Leo Percer, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary, Lynchburg, VA
From its beginnings in the early Church, Christian theology has properly never been an abstract exercise, but pursued with a balance of theory and practice, each informing the other and made substantial in the lives of Christians. Theology is correctly understood as a practical exercise that bears fruit in a manner of life that maintained within a conscious and intelligent relationship with God who grants us salvation in his Son, Jesus Christ. Ron Sandison’s book is thus written within this long tradition of theology and, at the same time, is timely and fully addresses the Christian life as it is lived at the heart of our own time and contemporary culture.
– Dr. David Jasper, Professor of Literature and Theology, University of Glasgow, Scotland and Distinguished Overseas Professor of Religious Studies, Renmin University of China
Ron Sandison has written an engaging, scholarly analysis of the human predicament based upon interrelated critical principles employed in the tripolarity theory. He shows how the theory is grounded in Scripture and supported by eminent theologians ancient and modern. The theory advances the three pronged thesis that each person is created with free will to choose God’s goodness over Satan’s evil. The strength of the presentation is not the novelty of the theory but the fresh manner in which it is explicated and applied. The clear theological expositions and specific personal applications will nurture the faith of the contemporary Christian reader and hopefully attract the interest of those outside the faith.
– Dr. Robert Mansfield, Professor of New Testament Emeritus, Graduate School of Theology and Ministry, Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK
Views From The Spectrum
A remarkable inside look at the intersection of faith and autism for parents longing to connect their children with God’s love
Raising a child with autism is both a challenge and an adventure–and sometimes parents need to know there can also be wonderful potential for blessings. Views from the Spectrum shares the inspiring stories of twenty amazing young adults with autism and how each of their family’s unwavering support and faith in God led them to accomplish what was thought impossible. As a thriving adult with autism himself, Ron Sandison is determined to educate the world on the gifts and talents autism can cultivate–even when they differ from our expectations of typical success.
While it is primarily a much-needed how-to guide for parents of children with special needs, this book is also a stunning view into the world of autism. Readers will witness the courage of Tyler Gianchetta, who rescued his mother from a burning vehicle. They’ll marvel at the artistic talent of nonverbal poet and artist Kimberly Dixon, admire the determination of Armani Williams, competing as a NASCAR driver, and find encouragement in the many other stories within these pages. In addition to these experiences, Sandison has also interviewed top experts in the autism field and shares their insights here.
Sandison weaves narrative with Scripture, sharing his own journey with autism throughout the book. Full of anecdotes, scientific research, parenting tips, prayers, devotions, and more, Views from the Spectrum is a celebration of autism, faith, and the possibilities at their intersection.