Afterword Summary and Analysis

Donna does not feel that being sane or intelligent is superior to being insane or retard. They both just provide different perspectives of the same world. Ironically, it was her mother's abuse and cruelty that forced Donna to find her own way. Not that loving parents can't be a positive force to autistic children—but parents need to learn to approach and understand their autistic child from his perspective. By building the child's trust in the adult, he can learn to live in the "real world."

Chemical and hormonal responses in the brain lead the child to hypersensitivity which in turn can lead to developmental lags. Donna's condition was heightened by her multiple food allergies. It is unclear what role severe food intolerances may have in brain damage or autism. Phenol intolerance is particularly associated with autism. Metabolic problems may...