The emotional trauma that families go through when they find out their child has an autism spectrum disorder can feel like being plunged into darkness. Francesca Bierens is here to show that there is also a light at the end of the tunnel.

Over a period of fourteen years, Francesca Bierens interviewed ten families of children on the autism spectrum. This book records their answers: how they felt, how they coped, and what gave them strength and solace. Each family discusses how they reacted when they found out their child had autism, and their feelings leading up to diagnosis. They share their positive and negative experiences of professionals, and describe the support that they received, often from grandparents, respite care givers, support groups and other parents. Two of the original children, now in their 20s, also talk about the experience of growing up with autism, and describe how their lives are now.

Above all, Bierens' message, and that of the families she interviews, is one of inspiration and hope, showing that there is light, love and laughter along the way. Their stories should be read by anyone who is affected by or working with autism.

"I laughed and I cried. If only such a book such as this was sitting on the library shelves when I looking for ‘real’ stories all those years ago. Francesca Bierens, the author, has listened respectfully to families and their family members with ASD, and provided rich insight into their lives. What particularly struck me about those who so generously shared their stories, was the range of outcomes for the individuals and their families. One of the questions I asked myself and commonly heard from other families was, “What will he/she be like when they grow up?” and “What will this mean for my family?” When participating families were first interviewed, the children were aged from six years including an adult in their twenties, and on second interview 17 years on, they were teenagers and adults. A Spectrum of Light provides a wonderful snapshot of possibilities for all families.

What I had not anticipated, was having to wait to read the book. My adult daughter snaffled it first, and as a sibling, gained much from reading about other families’ experiences of living not only with autism, but also their shared experiences of the social impact of living with disability and their experiences with education, health and social services.

What I also had not anticipated, was the teenage son reading it next. He laughed. And he came to me one evening, weeping about a particular section. His experiences were different to those of his sister, and he was particularly struck by the experiences of siblings.

I guess that’s the gift this book offers; it has something for everyone. Not just for people with ASD and their families, but for the myriad of professionals and people working in human services who impact on their lives in such profound ways. This book is for you too, and should be a mandatory reading for all professionals or students who intend to or who are working with families living with an autism spectrum disorder.

The index was an excellent reference point, and the introductions to each chapter provided an entrée that was just right in length and skillfully written to introduce the theme of each chapter. The author has ensures that people’s stories take precedence. The book is structured so that individual stories and experiences mean the reader can follow each family member across the chapters. I wondered if this editing would negatively influence coherency? However, with such versatile editing, I decided that there were several ways to read this book, which makes it such a good buy. The reader can read sequentially; you can follow each person and family across the chapters, and you can use the index to follow up areas of particular interest.

The author states that she wanted to convey the optimism reflected by the families in their stories. With that respect, the front cover is ‘fit for purpose’ and the content achieves an optimistic perspective, while not minimizing the realities that ASD presents for the individuals themselves and for the families who know and love them.

At last, a book for New Zealand families about NZ families living with family members who have an autism spectrum disorder. What I had not expected was that this book has an international perspective. Our stories are your stories. Families the world over will gain much from reading Francesca’s interviews with families and individuals with ASD, over a 17 year period.

In another 17 years, the original family members will be in their 30 to 50s. There is another book waiting to be written."
- Sue Robertson, Autism Solutions New Zealand, February 2010