“Full of deep emotion, raw edges, and heart-lifting moments…both a love story and a guidebook. At the heart is the relationship between mother and son and how the bond has given Benjamin wings to show the world who he is: a young man with autism who has built a life on his interests, passions, skills and—most of all—relationships. Get ready to fall in love!”
Anna Stewart—author of Mother Blessings: Honoring Women Becoming Mothers

“Truly inspiring and engaging. I recommend that any parent whose child has special needs or any professional who works with these families read this book. It will give them hope and perspective on what is possible.”
Dr. Robert Melillo—chiropractic neurologist and bestselling author of Disconnected Kids; Reconnected Kids; Autism: The Scientific Truth; co–founder Brain Balance Achievement Centers

“Benjamin Breaking Barriers touches the core. That the arts may bring forth speech and are expressive of the human being that playfully engages and learns, is this book’s discovery. That we make ourselves through art is its revelation. In her choice of artistic activities that bring forth Benjamin's personality and through which he develops his capacities, Malva works with that which is intrinsic to us as human beings, that human ground between play and discipline, the loving interest that awakens as it engages in what it discovers. This book breaks boundaries for us readers too.”
Glenda Monasch—eurythmy therapist and co-founder of Sound Circle Eurythmy

“A gifted writer, a gifted parent, and a patient, caring mom. Others can learn and benefit from Malva’s experiences and considerable wisdom. She provides abundant examples of hope which show that many of the myths of autism can be challenged and even overcome. There are many distinctions that set giftedness and autism apart, but there are also many parallels, and Benjamin displays many of these commonalities. This "twice exceptionality", having areas of extreme strength and areas of extreme limitations, is often hard for others to accept and understand. Benjamin required much therapeutic intervention, but all children benefit from guidance, modeling, role playing, direct instruction, and self-reflection. All children need someone who believes in them. For the reader's benefit, various therapeutic practices are shared, along with explanations.”
Terry Bradley, M.A.— Gifted and Talented specialist, president-elect of the Colorado Association of Gifted and Talented

“An inspirational, hopeful, and concrete roadmap for how parents can help children with autism to reach their full potential. It is also a testament to the perseverance and love of a parent who is determined to help her child come into his own.”
Rosalind Wiseman—New York Times bestselling author of Queen Bees and Wannabes; Masterminds and Wingmen

“I really liked the way Benjamin was ‘stretched’ by his mother to achieve new things. Too many kids on the autism spectrum are over-protected. Fixations were directed into creative, useful activities.”
Temple Grandin—author of Thinking in Pictures and The Autistic Brain