Autism and the God Connection
Thought this was very interesting especially considering the high rate of autism nowadays.
Autism and the God Connection
an Interview with author William Stillman
By Michou Landon
William Stillman is the author of 2006’s Autism and the God Connection, a compelling argument for a spiritual reframing of the disorder, whose wise message offers redemption beyond that marginalized population to humanity at large.
An adult with Asperger's Syndrome (and a BS in education), Stillman has worked to support people with “different ways of being” since 1987, in private consultations and institutional outreach, in conference presentations, as a founder or active member of numerous advisory organizations, and as an author of a half dozen books since 2002. See his website (www.williamstillman.com) for specifics on the hands-on background that informs his insight and compassion around the layered factors and stigmatization of autistic disorders and mental illness.
This interview was conducted before the publication of his most recent release, The Autism Answer Book (2007).
The 2006 book, Autism and the God Connection: Redefining the Autistic Experience Through Accounts of Spiritual Giftedness offers insight and inspiration not just to those in immediate relationship with autism, but to every human being who has ever judged, or been judged by, someone because of some different way of seeing or being in the world.
Gary Zukav’s (Seat of The Soul) praise, printed on the front cover, says it all: “It is a very short step from understanding autism and the God Connection to understanding you and the God Connection.”
Mount Shasta Magazine’s Michou Landon talks with author William Stillman. See her review of this book in this issue.
MSM: Were you aware of how powerful and universal this theme would be exemplified in this book as you wrote it, or was your focus a little different?
Stillman: I think your opening statement is a lovely observation, thank you. I wasn’t aware of the significance of Autism and the God Connection on that scale, although I did know I had something important to say; and what I had to offer needed to be heard.
Gary Zukav has been tremendously supportive. He called to thank me personally for sending him “such a beautiful book” in response to the galleys. Shortly thereafter, he referred a documentary filmmaker to me who optioned the movie rights to the book.
Autism and the God Connection is definitely finding its audience, largely the autism community of self-advocates, parents, and professionals; but I’d be pleased if it rippled beyond that to include more mainstream readers. The New Age, Metaphysical and Spiritual practitioner communities are beginning to discover it now. I do think its message resonates with anyone willing to have their assumptions about so-called disabilities challenged, anyone open to unlimited possibilities.
In the book, you touch relatively briefly on the new scientific research emerging on this subject; you talk a bit about your own experience with Asperger’s Syndrome; you present some fundamental and compelling language for reframing autism; and then you share a collection of illustrative anecdotes highlight the different ways many autistics demonstrate more deep, accessible and spontaneous connections to other realms of life or intelligence..
First let me ask if you there is a way to officially diagnose Asperger’s and if you have been so diagnosed?
Stillman: The way Asperger’s Syndrome is usually diagnosed is via the criteria found in the clinician’s handbook, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (though, for the record, allow me to emphatically state that autism is not a mental illness; it is a neurological difference). Asperger’s is a sub-group within a category of experiences defined as Pervasive Developmental Disorders, which also includes autism and other autistic-like diagnoses.
When we think about individuals with autism, the clinical criteria calls for impairments in social interaction, ability to have full use of fine- and gross-motor skills, preoccupation with objects, and deficits in communication (many such persons are not neurologically “wired” for speech, or cannot speak reliably). In Asperger’s, there are no deficits that might qualify someone as developmentally or cognitively delayed, as in autism. Therefore, many of us with Aspergers “pass for normal.” Our downfall is in our inability to “read” social cues (facial expressions, body language) and social idioms (slang, humor, irony, sarcasm) that others assimilate and learn naturally.
By the time I realized I was Asperger’s,I was in my mid-thirties; and while I had informal dialogues with two psychiatrists about it, I declined the opportunity for an “official” diagnosis, largely because there was no real benefit from doing so. I’m not a “consumer” and there’s nothing for adults with autism to “consume” anyway. I meet a lot of adults who are undiagnosed with Asperger’s and they’re the parents of the kids with autism for whom I”m consulting! It’s almost an invisible disability, but real and prevalent nonetheless.
Let’s discuss some ofthe latest scientific research and findings, including sources readers can consult that explain the most current understanding ofthe how and why and where-from of these phenomena. Are there resources you can recommend interested readers could investigate further?
Stillman: As far as a relationship between autism (or other so-called disabilities) and paranormal phenomena is concerned, there are no other resources of which I’m aware other than Autism and the God Connection; though in it, I’m merely illuminating what many parents and caregivers only whisper about. “Going public” by publishing this book represented a huge personal and professional risk for me; and I thought I would either be heralded as a visionary or reviled as a pariah. Fortunately, I’ve received an overwhelmingly positive response from persons with autism and their loved ones who have contacted me to express their gratitude.
Is there exciting new neuro-psychological or neuro-spiritual (if you will) information to report? We can also touch on the limitations of conventional scientific treatment of such realms.
Stillman: Only my own research, of which I’m aware. One of the concepts I’ve uncovered is that of a new psychiatric paradigm that discerns autism from symptoms of mental health experiences and outside influences of a spiritual or paranormal nature that may be compounding someone’s way of being.I cite a case study with which I was involved in supporting a middle-aged gentleman who was struggling with all three experiences.
Where conventional treatments are concerned, I feel most do not take into account a presumption of intellect in someone labeled autistic and mentally retarded; nor do most emphasize prevention over intervention in making compassionate accommodations for the acute sensory sensitivities experienced by most persons with autism.
Early in Autism and the God Connection, you refer to autistics (in a way that includes others too) as “people with different ways of being.” I found that a profoundly important and poignant “reframing.” Can you summarize how and why this distinction is made, maybe explaining your policy of “presuming intellect?”
Stillman: Many of us know, or know of, someone with Cerebral Palsy, a neurological difference in which the brain’s communications to the physical body short-circuit in blips, misfires, and disconnects. So, while such individuals may outwardly present themselves as severely impaired, this degree of impairment pertains only to the physical and not the cerebral; their intellect is wholly intact.
This is precisely the manner in which we need to re-envision our approach to autism, especially in those individuals labeled “retarded” because they don’t speak; don’t make eye contact (too visually overwhelming); appear not to be listening (they are indeed); and seem to avoid social situations (too much sensory overload, often times). Interacting gently, with respect and reverence, and with a belief in competence, is the proper response to autism.
This new language opens up parallels with folks who find themselves with similar sensitivities, acuities and challenges, which might technically have some other origin. These could include spiritual ardor, traumatic physical or neurological injury, metabolic illness or other extra-ordinary wake-up call.
Stillman: Exactly so! We are all on an autism continuum, particularly if you consider that autism’s “cousins” may include Tourette’s, dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, Parkinson’s, and other neurological ways of being. You’ve experienced an “autism” if you’ve zoned out driving from Point A to Point B and have no recollection of the drive upon arrival; or if you nervously toy with your hair, a pen, a piece of jewelry, or shake your crossed leg in a more subtle and socially-acceptable alternative to autistic hand-flapping or bodily rocking — same thing.
Elaine Aron’s book The Highly Sensitive Person also explores these kinds of universal parallels and differences. Combine these ideas with our burgeoning spiritual awakening, and I think the mainstream public is poised to relate to Autism and the God Connection.
It necessitates such a powerful call for tolerance, compassion, forgiveness and self-awareness. This brings us to what you call in your book “The Three Miracles.” Perhaps you could summarize, or cite any fresh illustrative anecdotes that might demonstrate this process?
Stillman: Powerful alterations in advancing our relationships with individuals with autism may occur if we surrender antiquated stereotypes in favor of embracing a presumption of intellect. This almost always requires us to make amends because we’ve been talking about someone’s so-called deficits or “behaviors” (which are really communications; autistic charades for those without a voice) in front of them, causing distrust, hurt feelings, embarrassment and humiliation.
The Three Miracles cited in the book advise how to rectify this situation. It’s within our immediate grasp ifwe are attentive to it. Recently, I made a presentation to a room full of clinical nurses about this very concept. One of them spoke up, realizing he had a lot of work to do in making amends. He was referring to a man with autism that would put his hand over the mouths of those who started talking about him in front of him as if it didn’t matter. It did matter, and he was clearly conveying his dislike of their behavior!
The book promotes evidence that many autistics — through their different vision oflife and apparently stronger connection to the numinous — may be messengers, teachers, angels in a way. These themes naturally attract comparison with the phenomenon of Indigo children. How would you compare them and otherwise comment on that?
Stillman: I’m glad you made the distinction many instead of all persons with autism, because I do not intend to speak for all. As much as I advocate for the equal, civil rights of persons with autism, I also do not wish to be perceived as glorifying anyone as “God’s special little angels” either because that’s not real life. We are all frail and faulty human beings; but we also all have the capacity to tap our personal spirituality in ways that are gifted, just like what I explore in my book.
As I was writing Autism and the God Connection,I purposefully avoided reading anything “indigo,” because I was aware it was a popular movement and I didn’t wish to be influenced by it. I know that many persons include autism in the indigo way of being. I see persons with autism as being graceful, gentle, and exquisitely sensitive, and lacking in the misunderstood assertive, anger-control issues oftentimes attributed to indigo kids. I will say that the parents and professionals involved in the indigo movement totally “get”my book, which is great!
Briefly, what are your educated thoughts as to why not all autistics demonstrate these illuminated traits?
Stillman: I can think ofa couple reasons. Foremost is that people either aren’t paying close attention; are afraid others will think they’re “crazy” if they report it; are chalking it all up to coincidence; or are unpresuming of intellect, and are not exploring alternative means of expression for those who can”t speak (so that their wonders may be shared).
Secondly, it may have something to do with serotonin levels in the brain. In my research I learned that over half of all individuals with autism have elevated serotonin. When I corresponded this with the research of spiritual-minded practitioners like Dean Hamer, Andrew Newberg, Robert Cloninger, and Harold Koenig, I found astounding correlations between the mystical experiences of people who prayed or meditated in silence and elevated serotonin that led to altered states of consciousness — the same perpetual altered states my book contends many autistics exist in naturally.
You say most autistics tend to be non-verbal, at least until they find the right facilitated communication vehicle. Can you describe what it looks like when they are verbal.
Stillman: The same as you and I, although, because ofthe great concentration it may require to articulate speech, they may sound louder, softer, or monotone.
You are working on another book, expanding on this one. How?
Stillman: I have completed a manuscript in follow up to Autism and the God Connection that explores the themes introduced in that book, but in a deeper, more intricate context. In putting forth the first book, I divulged only that which I thought was manageable for the open-minded layperson. Suffice it to say that what’s in Autism and the God Connection is but the tip of a very large iceberg. I get to chart more of that iceberg in the new manuscript. For example, if some autistics can communicate with animals (a concept introduced in Autism and the God Connection), exactly what is it the animals are saying and how might that benefit the rest of us?
I guess that’s a theme of the new manuscript: How do we take what we’ve learned from those with autism in the first book, and “operationalize” it as practical application for us all in our everyday daily lives. The possibilities are unlimited.
You may contact William Stillman to inquire about arranging consultations, presentations or environmental assessments by sending e-mail to Bill {at} williamstillman.com or by sending postal mail to: William Stillman, P.O. Box 167, Hummelstown, PA 17036.
Please remember that Bill cannot respond to inquiries requesting guidance and direction for individuals whom he has never before met without benefit ofthe consultation process. www.williamstillman.com