I Have Been Buried under Years of Dust: A Memoir of Autism and Hope

In this debut, Valerie Gilpeer writes a compelling narrative of motherhood, and her daughter, Emily Grodin, offers insight into how she began to express herself late in life, having been born with nonverbal autism. Gilpeer writes candidly, without falling into self-pity, and her early chapters offer personal reflections as well as resources for families affected by autism. Insight into the authors’ lives becomes clearer midway through, when Gilpeer becomes more involved in disability activism. In alternating chapters, she effectively describes the difficulties she faced securing Emily’s care, from institutional hurdles within the educational system to marital discord and social isolation. Perhaps the most moving part of the book is when Gilpeer recalls seeing her daughter type her thoughts for the first time. The sections Grodin contributed are engaging; she focuses on her successes and her determination to change perceptions around ASD in order to improve the lives of others.