Annotated Bibliographies

"Aquamarine blue 5": personal stories of college students with autism/edited by Dawn Prince-Hughes, 2002, Swallow Press/Ohio University Press, Athens, Ohio 45701

12 essays by college students diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Each gives an account of their own personal experiences growing up autistic and how they function in the world today. Some students were diagnosed as children, some as adults and some self-diagnosed. Each recounts the difficulties of navigating mainstream society and associations within the community. Some recount how important structure and rigid schedules are to their everyday routines. Some recognize the humor in their miscomprehension of social cues and some share a heartbreaking yearning to be accepted as who they are. All share in common the desire to be understood.

Barry, Dave; "Dave Barry's Bad Habits", "An Owl Book", reprint. Originally published: Garden City, NY, Doubleday, 1985

Noted humorist Dave Barry shares his take on the world around him. He discusses everything from evolution and creationism to government mismanagement. Mr. Barry uses his wit (no real wisdom) to elicit guffaws from the reader. This book is pure entertainment, as noted on the cover, this is "A 100% Fact-Free Book." Mr. Barry is also the author of other best sellers, including "Dave Barry Slept Here" and "The Shepherd, the Angel and Walter the Christmas Dog". Those looking for the meaning of life or other profundities will not find it here.

Maurice, Catherine, "Let Me Hear Your Voice" Published in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. 1993

Author writes under pseudonym to protect children's privacy. Young mother of three tells of learning that her middle child suffers from infantile autism. Book details her journey into various treatments available at the time and her frustrations with therapies and their outcomes. She finally settles on behaviorial intervention and begins to reclaim her daughter. As her daughter progresses, she discovers her youngest son is also autistic. Behaviors are different from her daughter, so she starts anew to attempt to liberate her son. A triumph of sheer will to aid her children to function in the world around them. A must read for anyone who has associaions with autistic children , this book gives hope to those looking for ways to assist their loved ones.