At Home in the Land of Oz (My Sister, Autism, and Me)

Anne's sister Becky was born in 1958, long before most people had even heard of autism. Diagnosed with "emotional disturbance," Becky was subjected for much of her childhood to well-meaning but futile efforts at "rehabilitation" or "cure," as well as prolonged spells in institutions away from her family. Painting a vivid picture of growing up in small-town America during the Sixties, Anne describes her sister's and her own painful childhood experiences with compassion and honesty. Struggling with the separation from her sister and the emotional and financial hardships the family experienced as a result of Becky's condition, Anne nevertheless found that her sister had something that "normal" people were unable to offer. Today she is accepting of her sister's autism and the impact, both painful and positive, it has had on both their lives. This bittersweet memoir will resonate with families affected by autism and other developmental disorders and will appeal to everyone interested in the condition. At Home in the Land of Oz tells the story of a family striving to keep a perilous balance while nurturing an autistic member. It is first of all just that, a story filled with suspense, humor, empathy, frustration, triumph and heartbreak. Anne Barnhill writes economically, cleanly, and frankly and her words will go to the heart of every reader. From her pages I learned that endurance can be the most important component of courage. And I learned in a most entertaining way."--Fred Chappell, Bollingen Prize-winning author of I Am One of You Forever." ... a story that deserves a f Anne's sister Becky was born in 1958, before most people had even heard of autism. Diagnosed with "emotional disturbance," Becky was subjected to well-meaning but futile efforts at "rehabilitation" or "cure," as well as prolonged spells in institutions. This bittersweet memoir will resonate with everyone interested in autism spectrum conditions. Anne's sister Becky was born in 1958, long before most people had ever heard of autism. Diagnosed with "emotional disturbance," Becky was subjected for much of her childhood to well-meaning but futile efforts at "rehabilitation" or "cure," as well as prolonged spells in institutions away from her family