My newest book is now available!
You can pick it up at Amazon
in paperback or on Kindle
You can also get it on Smashwords
My first book is available through Amazon, in paperback and Kindle. You can also pick it up at Smashwords as well.
My newest book is now available!
You can pick it up at Amazon
in paperback or on Kindle
You can also get it on Smashwords
My first book is available through Amazon, in paperback and Kindle. You can also pick it up at Smashwords as well.
I am an autistic guy with a message. I spent the first half of my life completely trapped in silence. The second – on becoming a free soul. I had to fight to get an education but I succeeded, graduating high school with a diploma and a 3.9 GPA. I am continuing my education in college. I communicate by typing on an iPad or a letter board. My first book, Ido inAutismland is an autism diary, telling the story of my symptoms, education, and journey into communication. My second book, In Two Worlds, is a novel. I hope through my work to help other autistic people find a way out of their silence too.
My newest book is now available in paperback, on Kindle, and on Smashwords!
My first book is available in paperback, Nook, Kindle, and iBook editions!
Click here to see the article
Hello! Ido,
We would very much like to carry your book (which both Bob and I have read and love) in our bookstore. Is there a way to order it on a wholesale basis? We know that our customers would take what you have to say very much to heart, and you would “fit right in” with the other books we carry.
On a personal level, I would like to thank you for writing about your life and for the very fact that you have persevered to become one of most helpful voices among those addressing autism. I am very grateful that you are here on earth with us and that you have found a way to be heard. We have a grandson who is autistic — your book has helped his family help him so much better.
Warm regards,
Nancy Parsons, President
Bob & Nancy’s Services, Inc.
Dear Nancy,
This is Ido’s dad.
Thank you for your interest and your kind words.
You can get the book wholesale through what Amazon’s publishing house, Createspace, calls Expanded Distribution. To be perfectly honest, I am not sure exactly how it works, other than this is available for bookstores and libraries for purchasing through large distributors who have access to this service, which is available for Ido’s book.
A description of Expanded Distribution can be found here: https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/ExpandedDistribution.jsp
I hope that helps. Best of luck!
Sharon Kedar
Dear Ido Family,
It was a pleasure reading about your story, about how Ido managed to communicate with you without any physical help from you. KEEP IT UP!! GREAT JOB!
My son is also autistic with the condition named PDD and from our judgement he is very similar to Ido. At the age of 2 he was diagnosed with this condition and now being of age 13 he made a lot of progress communicating with me via a keyboard especially that of a tablet.
At school, his teachers did not understand him and therefore he was feeling trapped inside his feelings without him being able to express them. Thanks to precious hard work, we were able to make him communicate with us with me and only me holding his shoulder. He told us that he receives energy when I touch his shoulder.
Unfortunately, our educational advisors are not believing him that he is typing what he wants because of me controlling him via his shoulder(something which is obviously not true).
Do you have any advice to us on how he can type without my physical help?
Thanks a lot and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK TEACHING PEOPLE ABOUT AUTISM!!
Contact http://www.halo-soma.org. Even if you can’t get to Texas they can probably refer you to trained people who can work with your son near you. Soma Mukhopadhyay also has some books that teach her methods available on Amazon.
Hi Ido’s Family ,
I read your book and am interested in doing a book report on it for my English class. My teacher says that if I have more information about your family or have a way that I can ask you questions.
You can write to Ido on Facebook, idoinautismland.
Is this a high school class?
Yes this is a high school class. My teacher wants me to learn more about his doctor’s diagonois . I do not have a facebook . My teacher wants me to get more about his parents view. Today I will get the rubric. Does Ido have a college email where he and I can email. I go to Horizon High School part of Paradise Valley Unified School District.
Here are a few questions from my teacher
Describe your son’s infancy and/or childhood.
When did you notice something was different about the way your son related to his environment or to other people?
What would you like others to understand about autistic children like your son?
What is something beneficial about having a child with this inclination?
Hi .
My Teacher Jay Parizek will private message you through facebook and print them off for me.
Hi .
My Teacher Jay Parizek will private message you through facebook and print them off for me. Thank you so much.
Dear Ido,
Thank you for sharing your thought and wrote this book. I live in Indonesia and have a PDD Nos or some may say mild autism spectrum 5yo son, who still non verbal. It frustrated me a lot when i cant understand what he want when he got tantrum and cried. He surely get ABA and speech therapy. He is very handsome and nice boy, and we loved him so much. Now i had pre ordered your book, and cant wait to read. I want to understand my son more. I send you lots of hugs from here, again thanking you and you parents to share with us your book to help us understand more our special children.
Dear Ido,
Can you let me know how I can contact you regarding the conference I am planning for next year? I would like to communicate with you about presenting there, and possibly get your help/feedback on the program content.
Thank you!
Mona Delahooke
Hello,
I applaud your courage and bravery, and I thank you for your honesty. I’m messaging you to ask that you consider writing about your developmental journey. Things that “typical” children also struggle with are even more difficult for children with ASD. Although everyone’s experiences are different having your insight on issues such as potty training, hair cuts, social engagements, tooth loss, dentist appointments, puberty, sleeplessness, puberty would be eye opening to so many parents and caregivers.
Hi Ido,
I’m a parent of a 9 year old boy with Autism, who has limited vocabulary. I just found out about RPM because there are a number of parents here in Ireland using it and seeing amazing results!
One of the parents told me about your book and I recommend it to any parent who is doing ABA, diets or any of the other numerous interventions out there.
When I started on my journey with Autism, I was given a common message of early intervention being vital if your child is to emerge. After a certain age the chances of your child emerging is limited they say. ABA is listed as the only intervention that has data to back up results and for some reason 40 hours of intervention per week is recommended. So the pressure is enormous on you and ultimately your child to go at it hammer and nail.
Of course I went full on with ABA, PECs etc. with some diet and other interventions thrown in for good measure. There were some improvements but given the amount of time and energy we did not see the results you would expect. You see your child isn’t happy with it but you keep going because you are told these are the tools that work. You have a nagging doubt that if your child is not improving then you are just not trying hard enough rather than thinking that perhaps this is the wrong approach. So your poor child is subjected to more and more of the same.
To quote Albert Einstein, Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. So eventually I looked at and listened to my child. I could see that he was happiest out in nature, loves the beach, loves swimming, loves walks and loves his scooter. Enjoys his iPad games and Disney movies. Loves going new places and is curious about so many things. I began to realise that if I want my child to emerge and join us in the world I need to make the world worth joining. So we began to do more of the things he enjoyed and a bit less of the other stuff.
At 9 years old he is in an Autism class in a mainstream school, still tracing letters but can now recognise letters and numbers. Pretty much doing what a 4 year old would do. There are tears at homework time but to his credit he works through it with me. I can’t help feeling that like you were at his age, he is screaming inside!
So, all going well, we are hoping to attend an RPM class this coming March. I’m hoping this is the key to allowing my beautiful, loving, clever child to finally be able to tell us what is going on inside.
After reading your book I have renewed hope that this will be the answer. It makes so much sense and I completely get it. Many, many thanks to you and your mother for taking the time to share your story. And to Soma and Tito.
Will keep you posted
Dear Ido and Phyllis,
It is a long time since Phyllis replied however I note you are in Ireland.
I am in UK and our grandaughter is recently diagnosed at 2 years. I’m concerned about ABA and even more so after reading more here.
I am now looking to find out more about RPM and would welcome any contacts from anyone for RPM for 2 year old in Scotland.
Thank you Ido, you are truly amazing and thank you Phylis for sharing.
God bless you all, we are all here for a purpose each and everyone of us.
Please check out the Unlocking Voices facebook group based in the UK.
Hi Alexandra,
PLease check out the Unlocking Voices facebook group which is based in the UK.
Good luck!
Hello Ido,
Finished your book very recently, really insightful! My name is Roxanne and me and my mum are now doing RPM, which is great! We both love your positive attitude and that you are working hard to get us non-verbal ASD people heard! Thank you! Roxanne & Rachel (Stockholm, Sweden)
Hi Ido,
You are our hero. You said it all for us and my fasinating (non verbal) 13 yr old son who is a lot like you. Although he can write/type very well and comprehend beyond his grade level, he does not have the attention span to read a book on his own (he can certainly read). I was wondering if you are able to read books without a facilitator or if you have any advice for us. Thank you!
Visually it can get overwhelming. Practice with sentences or small paragraphs rather than a whole book at once. Audio books are really helpful too.
Hi Ido! My name is Morgan and I am a typing facilitator for a 9 year old named Davis. Every morning, we start off by reading your essays. Davis’s focus immediately changes, and I can see in his eyes your words impact him greatly. He typically types a response to the essays read. I wanted to share with you his responses today, after we read pages 79-83. I asked, Describe your experience with lack of proprioception. He typed: “It tries to waiver the fine motor. Teaching the body to irrigate the right way is your heaven. Trying to watch your being to stay put of real treacherous way of life.” Then I read your quote from “Shout out of the Discussion”, “If they refuse to see it, they don’t have to change how they treat kids.” I asked what he would say to you about that. He typed “You are seeing a trial each day it is not fair. Real teaching to professionals is the under realized answer. For them it is their issue really. We will each show them the truth. Daily I get vacant stares that feel right raise of rage.”
Thank you for inspiring us daily. I hope you enjoy reading responses from Davis! We are thankful for you daily.
Morgan & Davis
Hi Ido,
My seven year old son’s first grade teacher just recommended your book to me. She says a parent gave it to her last year, and she cried for some of her students from years past. She changed the way she teaches.
Because of you, she has moved my son past ABCs and 123s, and he is learning addition and reading now. Now that he’s more interested in the material that is presented to him, he has completely stopped throwing in the classroom.
Thank you for telling your story to the world. So much of what you describe is familiar to me. For instance, there is the difficulty in learning to button his shirt, compared to the ease of learning to take everything apart with a screwdriver.
All the Best,
Jennifer
P.S. He has Lyme and PANDAS, and after starting treatment for the Lyme, he became able to round his lips and make an “O” sound at will for the first time in his life. He is also able to open his mouth a lot wider, and he moves his tongue a lot more. His smiles are bigger and come more easily.
I have found that Bartonella, a Lyme co-infection, is a huge cause of his anxiety. PANDAS is another huge cause. Babesia, another Lyme co-infection, also makes a contribution to the anxiety.
He has never in his life had the characteristic acute Lyme symptoms — i.e., no Bulls eye rash. He’s also never had a positive strep throat culture in his life.
That is awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Ido,
First I just want to say thank you for writing this book. Thank you so much. The book was introduced to me as required reading for a class I am taking that looks at special needs such as autism along with other disabilities and how to better reach people with them in education. Your book has been an inspiration to all of us. We all love the insight that you have given to break the stereotypes of autism. The book has open a lot of minds, it’s great. We would all love to contact you somehow (my teacher even asked to see if there was a way that we could communicate with you somehow because that would be great). Nonetheless, you have taught us bunches so thanks.
– Lisa, senior student in college.
Ido,
Great book! We would like to buy ~50 copies for the staff at our 16 yo son’s school (Morgan Autism Center in San Jose, CA). What’s the best (and least costly) way to do that?
– Todd
Thank you! You can buy in bulk for a reduced fee through Amazon. It is called expanded distribution.
Hello Ido,
I have just come across your book and am very excited to read it. Just wondering if there is an arabic translation of it? I noticed there a was a Japanese translation.
Thanks
Emma
No, it has never been translated into Arabic.
Ido: I just finished your book. Thank you for writing it. My wife and I have a foster daughter with nonverbal autism. She is two and a half. Your book was eye opening for what she is going through and has challenged me in how I interact with her. She has been able to use sign language to communicate her basic needs. I hope to start using a letter board with her. Thank you so much for bravely stepping out and educating the rest of us. You have given hope and inspiration. Thank you, Ben
To Ido and your family, I want to thank and congratulate you on your book. We have three copies in our family. I have a fourteen year old grandson who is also non verbal and has been using RPM for about a year. Your book has helped us to understand the struggles and challenges he is going through. RPM has allowed us to really communicate with him for the first time and your book has allowed us to see a brighter future for him. He has been studying in a private school, but we are now planning to go to his public school and request that they provide support for him in their school system. I would like to have your permission to use some quotes from your book to help them understand how RPM has allowed you to communicate your thoughts, how you have dealt with the challenges of stiming and how you have escaped from autism’s prison. I will also recommend that they read your book. God bless you and thank you again for helping our family help our grandson and best wishes as you go forward. Jon Holmes
Thank you so much for your kind words. Of course, you have my permission. I wish your grandson great success in his new school. He is fortunate to have such a supportive family.
Hi Ido,
I just want you to know that I buy your book by the dozen to hand out to people who ask me about how and why my son (11) is learning to spell to communicate. Your words have literally changed his life for the better. He is my hero, but you and Soma are on a short list after that. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, and helping us clueless parents to better understand what we can do to support and honor our kids.
I’m touched and honored. I’m sure he will thrive.
Ido
Hi. Let me say first that your book has changed our family’s lives forever. One cannot love an autistic child and be un-changed after hearing Ido’s words. To Ido and his mom, thank you for being brave, honest, raw and real.
My dad (my son’s grandfather) would love to read this book, but really needs a large print version. He had a cornea transplant a few weeks ago. Is a large print available? Thank you!
Thank you so much! I am so glad the book helped you and your family.
Unfortunately it’s not available in large print.
Ido, I am the mother of Hannah, 14 years old, and semi-verbal autism. She used to be non-verbal but does have some words now. I have just discovered RPM and we are starting May 5th. I have always believed she was locked in but I didn’t know what to do! I have been sobbing through your book. You are such an inspiration. You have been given so much suffering but you have turned it into a gift that you give others like myself. I have been talking to Hannah about RPM and you. She is behaving more hopeful and is more affectionate towards me already. Oh the power of hope! Thank you for not keeping all of this wisdom and experience to yourself and teaching so many of us about Autism and what goes on inside your brain and heart. God bless you always.
Thank you. I am honored my book has helped you and Hannah.
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Hi Ido,
First: Sorry for my english.
I’m psychologist and brazilian and I ‘m wanting to read both of yours books: the first one and the second one. I’m studying about autism in the university and your history touched me a lot so I want to to write based on your history.
Since I’ve discovered your blog, I am reading and loving it.
Unfortunately, here in Brazil we can’t buy in the Amazon of US.
Would it have another way for me to read or buy your books?
Thank you, I’m waiting with joy for your answer.
Hi Aline,
Yes, they are both available on smashwords as an e-book. We hope to eventually see the first book in Portuguese as well.
Thank you!
Have you thought of starting an organization dedicated to setting other people with autism free? I think you would be a great spokesperson for autistic people.. You could call your organization “Autism Rescue”.
I admire your spirit. You never gave up even when you had to do very hard things. You kept pressing on and didn’t give in to fear. Your spirit could be an inspiration to anyone facing hard challenges.
If you would like any support,I like to write and I could help where I was able.
Hi Ido!
I am a special education teacher who home schools a 9 year old boy with Autism. He has few independent verbalizations. We are doing some amazing work with neurotherapy and RPM from Soma. We are seeing great results! I am finally able to teach him a curriculum! I am grateful for his mother who found you and introduced me to your first book. I love your work and thank you for helping me shift the view of how things need to be in special education. I hope to make the student I work with apart of the statistic of thriving children with Autism!
I would like to get your book for the other teacher that works with him. How can I find it in Spanish?
Thank you,
Demory 🙂
Hello Ido
I have just finished reading Ido in Autismland, and as the principal of a small school in the north-west of Tasmania with 2 students with Autism, I would like to say a huge thank you for writing your book. It has COMPLETELY changed the way I think about Autism, and the possibilities and futures which exist for my students. Every day I have been turning up to school and sharing with my staff more of what you had written and they are now all lining up to read your book too.
Hi Erika,
Thanks so much for writing. I am excited I am helping in far away Tasmania.i hope you will read my new book as well. It will take you into the true autism experience. I commend you on helping your students.
Thanks
Has it been tranlated into French? I’ve been trying to find out and have not as yet succeeded.
Sorry to bother you.
Unfortunately my books haven’t been translated into French yet. I really wish they were.
Hi Ido,
Thank you so much for writing your books. They are lovely reads that once I started reading I couldn’t stop until I was done.
I work as a teacher in an inclusive preschool for children of all abilities to learn and play together. We have a lot of ‘professionals’ (slp, ot, pt, special ed. teacher) in the room contributing ideas of how to create the most supportive environment for all children of all abilities to learn best. We want to challenge all of our children and we believe that all of our kids are smart and capable, and it is our responsibility to find ways for our children to be able to express their ideas best and find ways for all kids to be included in learning.
Specifically talking about our children with non-verbal autism, when we have been able to find ways for them to express themselves they have shown us that they are incredibly smart and of the charts in a lot of topics (writing, reading, math, ect.). So it is important to us to be able to academically challenge these children and find ways for them to be able to express their ideas and show others all the things that they know.
I have some questions for you about supporting students with non-verbal autism best so that they can engage with interesting and challenging materials throughout the day, while also supporting their sensory needs and communication needs. I know that you can’t speak for everyone, but I am sure that you have experiences in the classroom that can help me be a better teacher.
Most of the day feels great, we have children play in the classroom and make their own choices (dance, pretend, make music, read, build with blocks, ect.). During this time we can support the kids of all abilities in a variety of ways without making any child stand-out and without excluding children from interesting and challenging experiences. We are able to blend in modifications and supports so that everyone can be playing in all the areas and learning the same things.
However, the most confusing part of my teaching day is circle -time or otherwise known as group-time. It is suppose to be a time of community building, reading-aloud books, singing songs, and learning as a group. The tough thing is that I have taught many children with autism that really don’t like to be at circle. I speculate that maybe it is too loud, or there is not enough space to move and regulate onself. I am not entirely sure, but I am often at a loss of what is best.
My biggest question:
Is it best to encourage children with autism to sit at group-time (circle-time) with their peers to learn the lesson when they don’t seem to want to be at circle (they are crying, kicking, or screaming)? Or should we let a child play in the classroom and learn from afar.
We have tried letting children with autism play in the classroom from afar, with hopes that they are gaining the knowledge from the lesson from afar. What is difficult about this is that it feels like they aren’t included because they aren’t sitting with their friends. It is also difficult because parents have also expressed concern that their child isn’t learning the group lesson and their child appears excluded. We have also been unsure if the child is learning the group-time lesson or not. Sometimes we will have an assistant teacher near them while they are away from the group to keep encouraging their attention to the circle-time activity.
We have also tried the opposite, and tried to have a children with autism that don’t appear to want to be at circle to be at circle despite their tears and screaming. We have brought them their favorite items to hold and play with during circle and have allowed them to sit in their favorite kinds of chairs (rocking chairs, bean bag chairs, cube chairs). We have done this in hopes that in time the student will become more comfortable with having circle as a part of their routine. This sometimes results in a child adopting circle-time as a part of their routine and they no longer cry or scream. However, sometimes it seems like the child still doesn’t likes being there even after time has passed despite having toys and cozy seating.
Of course, we try to treat each child as an individual and so I know that there can’t be a solution that will fit for all children. But, I am thinking that you may experienced similar experiences yourself in regards to group-time activities or lectures (for middle school and high school years). I wonder how you felt and what made you feel most dignified and respected while also feeling included in the academic conversation and challenged as a student.
Warmly,
Dot
Hi Ido,
My son learned to use a letter board at 18, now he is 25 and just got an ipad. They keyboard on your ipad, what App is that? There are so many to choose from and we want a big one that has an easy to use voice output.
Thank-You so much for all you are doing! We are reading “In Two Worlds” book right now (already read Ido in Autismland – FANTASTIC) and my son was in tears and spelled out “my life so much like Anthony’s” – Your success as an author has given him a hope he has never had before.
Thank you so much and wishing him and your whole family well!
The app I usually use is called Assistive Express.
Thank you so much!
Hi Ido,
I’m the father of a 5 yo non speaking autistic little girl – Muriel. I just finished “In two worlds” today. I’m flabergasted in many ways… It completely changed the way I see my Muriel. I wanted to tell you that by giving me that point of view through your book, you will change her life too. Thank you so much, on her behalf!
I sincerely hope other books are coming in the future!
I noticed in another reply in 2019 that “In two Worlds” had no french translation at that time. Is there a french translation now or is there one coming at some point in the future?
Thanks again,
David
Hi David,
I am so happy my book was meaningful for your family. I wish you and Muriel much success.
Ido
David,
Unfortunately there is still no French translation. We would be very happy to have it translated into French if that opportunity presented itself.
Dear Ido,
first of all, let me say that it is incredible what you are doing. Our son is 6 and so far totally non verbal. But he discovered about the last past months that he seems to understand lots of thing, to much to be coincidence. We ordered your first book and hope to read it soon. There is no Soanish version, right? We live in Chile and it would be great to have one for the people around us.
Best wishes from our whole family!
Hello Matthias,
Unfortunately so far no translation in Spanish yet but we would love to see one! Feel free to reach out with questions as you begin to make changes for your son.
Hello Ido, thank you so much for your answer. We have been talking about the Spanish version here. We both work at the university and we wotk closely with our colleagues from the translations studies and maybe would could make a Spanish version of your book here, but I guess there are some legal issues to be solved, but if you are interested we can talk it over some time.
And well, I have several questions in mind to ask you. Maybe some them will be answered when the book gets here. But if it’s ok, I can put them, so the answers might be useful as well for other people. Best wishes from Temuco, Chile!
We would love that and can send you an email if you’d like.
Yes, great, you should have my Email, right? Just write me whenever you like,
Hello Ido! I have read your book In Two Worlds and am now reading your first book. My daughter and her husband have a 6 year old son who is autistic.
Your books are an incredible blessing and help to give an understanding of what may be going on in his mind. Your book has also given me more peace to not worry so much. Please continue writing books as you are able. What you do is so needed and a blessing from God to help others. Thank you!
Lori
Lacey, WA
Thank you so much! Best of luck to you and your family!
Dear Ido and family,
Thank you so much for everything you do. Reading your book has been a greatest gift and insight into my son’s world who is non speaking 7 year old. We just recently found out about spelling approach and making first steps in that direction.
While I know this road is not going to be easy and we have lots of battles to fight ahead, reading your book and learning more about spelling approach gives me so much hope and faith that it’s going to be ok.
He can now get education. Real education.
Once he masters spelling on some level he can tell us more about… well everything. After guessing what he needs for many years and hearing from “experts” that pointing at the correct pictures is as far as his communication would ever go… It feels like a miracle, except it’s not. The ability was there all along, he just needed us to show him how.
Thank you a thousand times,
Daria