The Siege

by Clara Claiborne Park

This book was the first of autobiographical accounts I read about a family’s intimate experience of autism in one of their members. This is about an enchanting, classically autistic child, who displayed all the deeply puzzling features that have fascinated me. Almost a fairy tale in itself, with a rightly optimistic message to other parents. Learning happens even when severe learning disability is present, and autistic individuals can make amazing progress – without becoming ‘normal’.