Behind the Mirror
The Story of a Pioneer in Autism Treatment and Her Work with Children on the Spectrum
Published on 15. June 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-4214-4076-7 (ISBN)
Description
The life story of Jeanne Simons, whose own autism informed her pioneering work with autistic children.
Jeanne Simons devoted her career as a social worker and educator to the study, treatment, and care of children with autism. In 1955, she established the Linwood Children's Center in Ellicott City, Maryland, one of the first schools dedicated to children with autism. Her Linwood Model, developed there, was widely adopted and still forms the basis for a variety of autism intervention techniques. Incredibly-although unknown at the time-Jeanne was herself autistic.
Behind the Mirror reveals the remarkable tale of this trailblazer and how she thought, felt, and experienced the world around her. With moving immediacy, Jeanne tells her life story to developmental psychologist, friend, and collaborator Sabine Oishi. Jeanne's unique experience is supplemented by commentary from Dr. Oishi, who explains the importance of key biographical details and fills in additional information about the diagnosis and treatment of autism. Enhanced with a photo gallery, a look at new approaches to the education of children with autism, and a history of Linwood since its founding, the book also contains a foreword, an afterword, and an appendix by James C. Harris, MD, the past director of child psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the founder of its autism clinic. Demystifying the experience of autism, Behind the Mirror is a groundbreaking account of possibilities and hope.
Jeanne Simons devoted her career as a social worker and educator to the study, treatment, and care of children with autism. In 1955, she established the Linwood Children's Center in Ellicott City, Maryland, one of the first schools dedicated to children with autism. Her Linwood Model, developed there, was widely adopted and still forms the basis for a variety of autism intervention techniques. Incredibly-although unknown at the time-Jeanne was herself autistic.
Behind the Mirror reveals the remarkable tale of this trailblazer and how she thought, felt, and experienced the world around her. With moving immediacy, Jeanne tells her life story to developmental psychologist, friend, and collaborator Sabine Oishi. Jeanne's unique experience is supplemented by commentary from Dr. Oishi, who explains the importance of key biographical details and fills in additional information about the diagnosis and treatment of autism. Enhanced with a photo gallery, a look at new approaches to the education of children with autism, and a history of Linwood since its founding, the book also contains a foreword, an afterword, and an appendix by James C. Harris, MD, the past director of child psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the founder of its autism clinic. Demystifying the experience of autism, Behind the Mirror is a groundbreaking account of possibilities and hope.
Reviews / Votes
This is a book that richly rewards those who read it.-Andrew N Williams, British Society for the History of Medicine Behind the Mirror is a moving account of the life of Jeanne Simmons, how her autism helped shape the Linwood Model and the challenges that she faced in setting up the Linwood Children's Center.
-ABILITY Magazine
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Baltimore, MD
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
10 s/w Abbildungen
10 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
337 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4214-4076-7 (9781421440767)
DOI
10.56021/9781421440774
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Jeanne Simons | Sabine Oishi
Behind the Mirror
The Story of a Pioneer in Autism Treatment and Her Work with Children on the Spectrum
E-Book
06/2021
Johns Hopkins University Press
€35.99
Available for download
Persons
Jeanne Simons, LCSW, ACSW (1910-2005), earned her degree in clinical social work from Boston College. In 1955, she founded the Linwood Children's Center for children with autism in Ellicott City, MD. There, she pioneered a highly successful treatment approach, which she described in the book The Hidden Child: The Linwood Method for Reaching the Autistic Child. Sabine Oishi, PhD, was educated first as a teacher and then as a child psychologist at the University of Geneva. She earned her PhD in child development and family therapy from the University of Maryland. She has worked as a teacher, researcher, and therapist both in Switzerland and the United States. With Jeanne Simons, she was the coauthor of The Hidden Child. James C. Harris, MD, is a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he is the past director of the Johns Hopkins Division of Child and adolescent psychiatry and currently is Director the Johns Hopkins Developmental Neuropsychiatric Clinic. Dr Harris founded the Johns Hopkins Autism Clinic in the 1980's.
Content
Foreword, by James C. Harris, MD
Preface
Introduction: A Brief Description of Early Autism Development
Chapter 1. Birth, 1909
Chapter 2. Early Memories
Chapter 3: Childhood during World War I
Chapter 4: School Years in Holland
Chapter 5: Illness
Chapter 6: The Teacher
Chapter 7: Exile, 1940
Chapter 8: Stranded in America, 1940-1945
Chapter 9: Back in Holland, 1945-1947
Chapter 10: Return to America, 1947: The Social Worker
Chapter 11: Lee, Martin, and the Miracle Worker
Chapter 12: Linwood, 1955
Chapter 13: Who Am I? The Search for Self
Conclusion
Epilogue: Linwood Then and Now
Afterword, by James C. Harris, MD
Appendix A. A Brief Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnostic Criteria, Research, and Treatment, by James C. Harris, MD
Appendix B. An Autism Resource Guide
Acknowledgments
Illustrations appear following page XXX
Preface
Introduction: A Brief Description of Early Autism Development
Chapter 1. Birth, 1909
Chapter 2. Early Memories
Chapter 3: Childhood during World War I
Chapter 4: School Years in Holland
Chapter 5: Illness
Chapter 6: The Teacher
Chapter 7: Exile, 1940
Chapter 8: Stranded in America, 1940-1945
Chapter 9: Back in Holland, 1945-1947
Chapter 10: Return to America, 1947: The Social Worker
Chapter 11: Lee, Martin, and the Miracle Worker
Chapter 12: Linwood, 1955
Chapter 13: Who Am I? The Search for Self
Conclusion
Epilogue: Linwood Then and Now
Afterword, by James C. Harris, MD
Appendix A. A Brief Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnostic Criteria, Research, and Treatment, by James C. Harris, MD
Appendix B. An Autism Resource Guide
Acknowledgments
Illustrations appear following page XXX