It has been a privilege to know Donna Williams who has authored 9 books on Autism, some of which are international best sellers. Her knowledge of Autism is first hand and comes from personally experiencing it. It is not learnt by studying the subject or merely by observing those with Autism. With her long history of contact and dealings with many many Autistics, her expertise on Autism should be respected. Having read over 150 book on Autism, I personally listen to Donna Williams when she speaks and actually take note of what she says.
On a professional, as well as a personal level Donna is inspirational and her expert advice is invaluable and is virtually impossible to obtain such high quality and practical advice about Autism anywhere in Australia. I can say this confidently, as I had been seeking, to no avail, such advice for a long time until, by chance I came across this amazing "Artie Autie".
Dr Tony Marshal,
MB, BS, MHP(NSW), FRACGP
Family Physician
Frankston, Victoria, Australia
I remember when my son was first diagnosed at around two and a half and I was told he needed speech therapy, playgroup and early intervention and was given a booklet on all the resources available to me to help and sent on my way. Well it was a maze to say the least. I got on the net and found so much information, I didn't know where to begin and what was relevant. Over the next four years, I undertook alot of research, but nothing gave me what one day with Donna Williams did.
She is not a social worker, not a psychologist, not a dietician, GP, naturopath, homeopath, neurologist, immunologist, etc, etc, etc.
But, Donna provided me with a perspective, understanding and the most valuable information on issues associated with Autism, that you would get from all of the people I just mentioned in one place. Moreover, she provided a perspective from more than one side of autism. Thorough, clear, precise, and dedicated, I felt that she was reading my mind and answering questions before I even asked them. Her assessments were mind-blowing and accurate and her report was clear, easy to follow and full of ideas and strategies to work with the issues that exist in my family.
A warm, interesting, beautiful soul, Donna Williams was a catalyst to a new phase in my family's life and a step forward in understanding the world of autism and related issues.
Thank you so much Donna.
Sincerely
Anastasia Maragakis
As a mentor and a good friend Donna has given me the determination to carry on. Her lectures, website and emails give me the extra knowledge to sort out my ‘fruit salad’ making the world a less intimidating place to live in. More people should listen to Donna who helps to remove the barriers to learning and help make bridges between us.
Zoe, UK
For the better part of three years now, Donna Williams has counselled and aided me through anxiety and self-destructive behaviours, including self-harm and social isolation. She reached me through a range of ways, beginning as a brief couple of words from outside my bedroom door (where I had mostly been for a year and a half) as I didn’t want to meet anyone. That progressed on to art therapy, and it wasn’t long before Donna taught me how to become social in a safe and supportive environment.
Donna Williams was able to connect with me through her books, art, music and face-to-face counselling, even though I am not diagnosed on the Autistic Spectrum. She was able to do what none of my other counsellors; psychiatrist and psychologists were able to do; give me a sense of self. I'm now back at school and on my way towards working in the field of Social Work.
K.Toni, 18, Australia
Consulting with Donna made an enormous difference in both my daughter's life and my own. I was so frustrated after trying the recommended therapies and programs of the day which promised to help children with autism regain their ability to cope, learn and communicate only to find my daughter slipping further and further away. Donna taught me to be patient and respectful, to allow my daughter the space to approach me when she was ready for input rather then force-feeding her drills and stimulation from morning to night. She taught me about my daughter's Exposure Anxiety; about her need for time alone and gentle, indirect approaches rather than the demanding and highly stimulating methods we'd been using. My daughter responded immediately and joyfully to the approach I learned from Donna and for this I will be forever grateful!
Lisa Edmond, Temecula, California, U.S.A.
Donna's willingness and ability to help us with our son, Gordy, has been a Godsend. Her insight into how he experiences the world has provided a window for us to better understand and support him. Donna has answered questions for us that no one else ever dared. A time when we thought we had heard it all, read it all, known it all, Donna lead us to invaluable new resources, remedies and strategies to address our son's medical, emotional, psychological, sensory and behavioral issues. Although we live on opposite sides of the world from each other, Donna's compassion has been an invaluable source of support. Knowing that 'an answer' from Donna would be there on our computer in the morning, has gotten us through many a dark night. Her vigilance and optimism are an inspiration. And for all her experience and incomparable expertise in the field, her rate for email consultation is the best bargain on the entire planet.
Gordy's Grateful Mom
I have struggled to exist since I was little, since I can remember. I'm now 38 and I've had several therapists, some National Health Service people, some private and I had all but given up hope that someone would reach who I really am and how I function. My depression and my OCD were diagnosed no problem, but this became a diagnostic blanket which covered my real problems. Whilst browsing the web I found Donnas site and followed up several other sites on autism, a rather large old rusty penny crashed into place. I wrote to Donna for a consultation with massive fears about confidentiality but Donna was professional, friendly and knew her grounds inside and out.
Donna is patient, warm, funny, and intelligent. Her insight and understanding have given me the ability to fight back and finally understand who, why and what I am, how I function or dysfunction in a world of people that feel alien to me. Her advice, explanations and kindness have been well wrapped in total professionalism. In my own opinion, Donna remains the world authority in understanding and helping all those across the autistic spectrum. I only wish I had met her years ago.
Some of the so called professionals for diagnosing are asking for double Donnas fees and just do not have her depth of insight or knowledge, a great deal of which is obviously from her own experiences emerging from full blown autism. She is an inspiration and the way forward for autistic/asperger/autistic spectrum/high functioning adults and children alike and I wish her every success with all those out there who desperately need an explanation, diagnostic teacher and friend.
...DR
The help that I and my 14 year old eccentric, autistic son have received from Donna via her email consultancy has been of outstanding value. She stood by me and guided me through crisis like when Oliver started and consequently stopped self harming. She has always inspired me and come up with answers I would have never known or thought about but which worked - be it about health issues, problems at school, problems at home , or about my own personal struggles with life. She has challenged me when my attitude stood in the way of our progress. Knowing that she is there behind the screen has been such a support. I find her approach unique, dedicated, caring and uplifting. I feel privileged to have received Donna's services. Oliver's and my life are infinitely better for it.
Malai Sontheimer, single parent, counsellor and acupuncturist, Bristol England
Our son Archie is 7, non-verbal, and severely autistic. He's funny, affectionate and loves to tease us. He also has many obsessive compulsive behaviours. In our initial consultation with Donna I asked how to deal with these compulsions and obsessions. At that time our calendar had been stuck on January for 7 months (attempts to take it down or turn over the page were met with meltdowns), and I was not allowed to open any windows in the house (again opening a window resulted in a meltdown). Within a couple of days of our first consultation the calendar had been taken off the wall, and 3 windows in the house were open, all achieved with little complaint from Archie.
We're now working with Donna to better understand how Archie perceives the world and how we might use this knowledge to increase his ability to communicate. Donna has such an insight into Archie's world and is able to pass this onto us, thus providing us with the tools and confidence we need to help him. Her emails are considered, thoughtful, extremely informative and an absolute bargain. My only regret is that we didn't start sooner.
Archie's Mum, UK.
On the basis of a couple of photos of my daughter and a page of information emailed to the other side of the globe, Donna demonstrated an almost clairvoyant ability to get under the skin and inside the mind of my daughter. But anyone who has read Donna’s books will know that this uncanny ability is founded on long hard personal struggle and extensive research in which she pursues all avenues without prejudice. This is, quite possibly, an unrivaled combination within the world of autism and in her consultations Donna shares the fruits of this with great generosity of spirit. I can only recommend to other parents (and professionals) to take advantage of this very reasonably priced service. Over the years my daughter has seen any number of professionals, but even when helpful, none have shown this depth of compassionate understanding of the autistic mind.
Not every parent will have the energy or resources to pursue all the options that Donna offers, so be prepared to select what feels right and possible at the time.
David Clark