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Sister on the Edge of Autism

A sibling's-eye view of autism in life, family, and culture.

Autism
How Travel Presents Unique Challenges for People With Autism

Eileen Garvin on December 13, 2023

All was well in the coach section of that Southwest Airlines flight until Margaret, seated at the window, noticed the ground rapidly disappearing after take-off.

All was well in the coach section of that Southwest Airlines flight until Margaret, seated at the window, noticed the ground rapidly disappearing after take-off.

Family Dynamics
Holding the Line

Eileen Garvin on May 30, 2023

Margaret’s behavior once drove us apart. Meltdowns disrupted every holiday and celebration, and her compulsions upended daily life. But now she was the one pulling us together.

Margaret’s behavior once drove us apart. Meltdowns disrupted every holiday and celebration, and her compulsions upended daily life. But now she was the one pulling us together.

Autism
Is Autism Genetic?

Eileen Garvin on January 26, 2023

An interview with autism researcher, and my brother, Michael Garvin on his new findings.

An interview with autism researcher, and my brother, Michael Garvin on his new findings.

Introversion
The Isolation Project

Eileen Garvin on September 23, 2020

As the season of isolation stretched into summer, I wanted to reassure my neighbors that isolation wasn’t the worst thing. After all, we introverts do this by choice all the time.

As the season of isolation stretched into summer, I wanted to reassure my neighbors that isolation wasn’t the worst thing. After all, we introverts do this by choice all the time.

Cognition
The Short List

Eileen Garvin on May 25, 2020

I’m confronted daily with how things have changed and the many activities I once took for granted that seem impossible right now, like seeing my family.

I’m confronted daily with how things have changed and the many activities I once took for granted that seem impossible right now, like seeing my family.

Relationships
In Praise of Leashes

Eileen Garvin on October 31, 2019

My sister has taught me loads about the power of non-verbal communication and what we can learn if we pay close attention to the people and creatures we love.

My sister has taught me loads about the power of non-verbal communication and what we can learn if we pay close attention to the people and creatures we love.

Autism
Win-Win-Win

Eileen Garvin on June 25, 2019

Special Olympics, Uber, and the kindness of strangers.

Special Olympics, Uber, and the kindness of strangers.

Extroversion
Confessions of an Accidental Extrovert

Eileen Garvin on April 1, 2019

It seemed possible that the fun, loud version of me was simply an attention-starved young girl. I wasn’t really game to say anything, try everything, go everywhere.

It seemed possible that the fun, loud version of me was simply an attention-starved young girl. I wasn’t really game to say anything, try everything, go everywhere.

Autism
Reading Shtum by Jem Lester

Eileen Garvin on July 1, 2018

Shtum keeps unfolding and unfolding like a set of matryoshka dolls and each painful revelation endears the characters to us more.

Shtum keeps unfolding and unfolding like a set of matryoshka dolls and each painful revelation endears the characters to us more.

Guilt
Like Christmas on the Fourth of July

Eileen Garvin on January 22, 2018

I think of our parents and our older sister, Margaret, who has not missed a single Christmas Mass at Sacred Heart Church since any of us were old enough to remember.

I think of our parents and our older sister, Margaret, who has not missed a single Christmas Mass at Sacred Heart Church since any of us were old enough to remember.

Autism
John Elder Robison’s “Switched On”

Eileen Garvin on August 13, 2017

This latest book recounts Robison's participation in an early transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) study that hoped would help people with ASD better read emotions in others.

This latest book recounts Robison's participation in an early transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) study that hoped would help people with ASD better read emotions in others.

Gratitude
Home Is Where the House Is

Eileen Garvin on May 11, 2017

My parents bought this house for Margaret, but we have always understood this house is for us too. The house means we don’t need to plan on Margaret moving in with one of us.

My parents bought this house for Margaret, but we have always understood this house is for us too. The house means we don’t need to plan on Margaret moving in with one of us.

Autism
My Sister’s Happy Birthday

Eileen Garvin on April 26, 2016

I sent Margaret a spa gift basket for her birthday. But even as I entered my credit card number and hit submit, I was full of doubt. Will she even know it came from me? I doubt it.

I sent Margaret a spa gift basket for her birthday. But even as I entered my credit card number and hit submit, I was full of doubt. Will she even know it came from me? I doubt it.

Family Dynamics
The Kids Are Alright

Eileen Garvin on April 14, 2016

I thought Margaret was angry, but I know now that she was anxious and afraid. And as an adult, I regret that I didn’t see the difference. It might have helped us both.

I thought Margaret was angry, but I know now that she was anxious and afraid. And as an adult, I regret that I didn’t see the difference. It might have helped us both.

Family Dynamics
National Sibling Conference

Eileen Garvin on May 23, 2013

The conference is intended for siblings of people with disabilities, people with disabilities, parents and family members. Professionals and sibling supporters are also welcome. Conference sessions will cover research on siblings with disabilities, sibling stories, resources and support, and civil rights issues.

The conference is intended for siblings of people with disabilities, people with disabilities, parents and family members. Professionals and sibling supporters are also welcome. Conference sessions will cover research on siblings with disabilities, sibling stories, resources and support, and civil rights issues.