Silent Running: Our Family's Journey to the Finish Line with Autism

It’s a great and honest book about how Robyn and Allan had to transform their lives to help their autistic sons to become amazing runners despite fighting with their own health issues. I’m amazed how hard they worked to get and fund the support that Allie and Jamie needed to be able to have a great and meaningful life - surrounded with lovely people who are able to handle their behaviours, provide the support, care and love they need. I wish all autistic children/adult would have parents like Robyn and Allan.

This is such an amazing book: to deal with severe autism (which my son has too) but then for her twins to find such success in marathon running is just awe-inspiring. Told with great honesty and a real page-turner too. A story of what sheer perseverance added to love can achieve.

It was a priviledge and joy to follow the Schneider family journey. Such a wonderfully written book that touches and informs throughout the pages. Thank you

"Silent Running" is a book based on a family's journey in life, written from a mothers/wife's perspective, while dealing with many obstacles, most notably raising twin boys born with severe Autism. I cannot write to how well it was written or put together, since I do not have any expertise doing so. I can, however, speak about the usefulness of the story as it relates to: others on the Autism Spectrum; parents with kids on the Autism Spectrum; and how it can help nuerotypical people more aware of the daily life of a family that has a member/members on the Autism Spectrum. The writer of this book made it apparent to me that people living on the Autism Spectrum, that have the ability and understanding, should read this book. I say this because, I believe not too many people living on the Spectrum are aware of the daily difficulties it took from their own family to get them to where they are in life. Not to say they do not care or anything like that, but most times people on the Spectrum live in their own heads and become oblivious to those closest to them. This book paints a great picture of what some parents go through in their daily lives to help their unique kids succeed in life. Knowing those challenges and obstacles that parents go through made me appreciate all that my parents did for me growing up even more than I already had for them. This is a definite must for those on the Autism Spectrum to read. ​ I would recommend this book to parents as well. It gives great insight into how a person on the Autism Spectrum can become a happy adult with a purpose in life. This is shown through the numerous pictures of Alex and Jamie in the center of the book, always looking happy after a race or determined during one, as the author also mentions numerous times. This happiness and purpose can seem far away for young parents of kids on the Autism Spectrum. But when you read about this family and how much they loved their kids and how determined they were to just improve their kids quality of life, it is not hard to see that with a lot of hard work and determination that even the most severe cases that an outcome of having a purpose in life and enjoying it can happen. The only downside I would inform to parents reading this, is that all families are different and that doing just what the Schneider’s did may not work with every family and may not be plausible. The reason it may not be plausible is that not every family is going to be as fortunate to receive the support that the Schneider’s received, since some families can tend to shun others in their family if it is even brought up something neurological is different in a kid in the family. Besides that point, which Mrs. Schneider cannot fix or change, this is a must read for parents with kids on the Autism Spectrum, especially those young parents who might know nothing about what is ahead of them. Lastly, is this a book neurotypical individuals should read as it pertains to becoming more aware of Autism Spectrum Disorders? I would say a resounding “Yes!”. This book not only shows some of the good that can come with Autism but also some of the bad. Since working with kids on the Spectrum, I relived some of the thoughts I had when one of the boys in the book lashed out at someone and the author described the feeling perfectly. The many little milestones definitely outweigh the lashing out and make the work worthwhile, just as it came across in the book. Another reason why I think this would be a good book for neurotypical folk is that unlike many newsfeed or news channel feel good stories, this book so you how far an individual has to go from diagnosis to their incredible feat. That alone should be highlighted, because I think many people see those stories and do not really understand why they are such a big deal even if they know a little of the diagnosis. Like I said earlier, this is a must read for neurotypical folk to gain more awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorders. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, even though it was my first reading for fun book in a couple of years. I want to end by thanking all the Schneider’s (Robyn, Allan, Alex, and Jaime) for sharing their story to the world and especially to me. I hope the best for all of yall in any future endeavors. ​

Silent Running was a 5 star +/ a beautiful compassionate & enlightning journey though the Incredible parents of twin brothers with severe autism / how the love / sacrifices of parents The amazing support group of friends who are so dedicated to these 2 boys! This is a powerful Story ! It helps in many ways to feel such compassion for family's who have lived with Autism Incredible book

I read this book quite a few months back and still think of it and this wonderful family often. This is not a Hollywood Story where in the end everything turns out perfectly and is tied with a beautiful bow. It tells the true story of struggle and the work that it takes to raise a family with special needs. You get a real look at what it takes to try and try and try to figure out what works best for this family. There are highs and lows and sometimes they are about what some might think are rather simple things but the reader learns that simple things and simple successes are really something to cheer about. And then the boys found that they loved running! And they prove that they are capable of amazing things!! This book spoke to me as a Social Worker who until 6 years ago had never worked with folks with special needs. I have to admit that at first I was very fearful and in a short amount of time realized that I wish I had started working with these folks long ago. This book also speaks to me as a runner. I have run 7 marathons to date and I know just how much work they are and how incredible it is that the boys are doing it and doing it really well!! Please read this book I promise you will learn and love a lot. Sending much love and admiration to the Schneiders!!

As a mom of an autistic child, now teenager, and fellow Long Island Runner I would see the boys, Robyn and Allen at races and would immediately recognize them. I was always in awe of Allie and Jamie's running, both as a runner cause I wanted their speed LOL, but also as a mom of an autistic child and see the boys so happy. When I heard she wrote a book about their family's journey I had to read it. I read it in a day. It was so powerful and even more so for me cause I know them personally. I love when I go to a race and see them there and get a chance to talk to the boys, the family and the team. I recently had the honor of watching Allie train for this years NYC marathon with him team and he is truly amazing. More so, when I read that Robyn was a survivor of Breast Cancer and who her doctor was, Dr. V. I spoke with her about it and told her my friend is Dr. V's assistant and that we have been friends since we were 16 years old. We were like small world. But, I cannot say enough good things about the book. I smiled, cried, rejoiced with every one of Allie and Jamie's and the family accomplishments. Please read it.

I loved this book. It's a beautiful and inspiring story about how running has become a part of life for a family struggling day to day with autism. I gave it five stars because it's well written and describes so well how running has impacted their lives. I would recommend it to anyone who has experienced challenge in life (everyone, at some point), especially those who have never considered running as a joyful and helpful activity. I love to read about running, but this book is so much more than how running brought joy into their lives. It is about understanding what's really important. It is about how families take care of each other and help each other through life. This includes friends. They were and still are blessed with many friends who help them on a day to day and even an hourly basis, out of love. I am so amazed at how running has helped not just the boys, but also the parents. This brings up many questions about how running makes a positive impact on the health of many individuals. I digress. Read the book. Read it!