Daniel Jr. Bowman - On the Spectrum: Autism, Faith, and the Gifts of Neurodiversity

With the gift of his experience as an autistic adult in the church, Bowmans exquisite vulnerability lights the path toward greater understanding, better advocacy, and a compelling vision for inclusion that moves beyond stereotypes and tokenism. As a spiritual director, a mother to an autistic child, and a Jesus follower, I have been waiting for a book like On the Spectrum . This is the book the church has desperately needed. I want to give this book to everyone I know.

Nish Weiseth , founder and spiritual director, Formation Northwest

Bowman invites readers into another way of looking at the world, literature, and faith through his artful and thoughtful eyes. Its both a gift and an indictment of our world to experience how autistic people navigate a society, including the church, that is not set up for them to thrive. I hope everyone reads this book and the many others that are sure to come.

D. L. Mayfield , author of The Myth of the American Dream: Reflections on Affluence, Autonomy, Safety, and Power

In his remarkable meditations on autistic life, Bowman creates a living map to orient newcomers to our neurodiverse world. I cannot imagine a better guide than his generously empathic and richly detailed writing. On the Spectrum is essential reading, perhaps especially for well-meaning Christians whose limited conception of the imago Dei has failed to recognize the divine hand in neurodiversity.

Amy Sullivan , religion journalist; author of The Party Faithful

A deft and poetic affirmation of faith, Bowmans new book is able to honor autistic livesbreathed by the very breath of Godthat often feel fragile in the exacting landscape of an allistic world. Bowman accomplishes this through a pondering of self: a journey through his life, his connection to story, and his search for transcendence. Bowman creates a kenotic text: a book that shows us how to respect ones personhood, to listen, to default to humility and kindness.

Nick Ripatrazone , author of Wild Belief ; culture editor for Image Journal

June Jordan tells us that practicing poetry means taking control of the language of your life. Bowman exemplifies what this task looks and feels like while inviting us to bear witness, alongside him, to the minute particulars of being human. By picking up what hes setting down, were enjoined in the work of dwelling more knowingly in our own existence. Receive his voice.

David Dark , author of Life s Too Short to Pretend You re Not Religious

Combining narrative, poetry, found material, letters, analysis, and interviews, this book compels its readers into a story of art, a story of faith, and a story of a life. Read and believe and act and change , Bowman invites, not because his is the only word but because reading and believing and acting and changing is the only way our world can be made safer.

Pdraig Tuama , author of In the Shelter

In fresh, clear, and crisp prose, Bowman takes us on a journeyhis life is a living mapa revelation of the deepest essence of his being as an autistic person. Not only did his narratives educate me further about neurodiversity, they compelled me to pause in awe and wonder, in contemplation, as I considered the spectrum of beauty and wisdom contained within these pages. Bowman deftly demonstrates that each of us has a place in this neurodiverse world. This book is a great gift.

Marlena Graves , author of The Way Up Is Down: Becoming Yourself by Forgetting Yourself

Moving from mere acceptance to unabashed celebration of neurodiversity is a long overdue and necessary shift; truly, I believe this is an invitation from the Holy Spirit. I am so grateful to Bowman for searingly and beautifully sharing his own fearfully-and-wonderfully-made story and inviting all of us to a more full, more diverse, more compelling vision of the kingdom of God.

Sarah Bessey , editor of A Rhythm of Prayer ; author of Jesus Feminist

Using the metaphor of a plum tree growing in an inhospitable environment, and with a poets eye for detail, Bowman engages different modes of interacting with the world and its multifarious senses. A sense of vigilance pervades the quiet universe of language unfolding in his soul, whether in church, outdoors in a field, or within a community of artists. Bowman reminds us of the role of poetry and faith in guiding us toward God and ultimately in honoring the dignity of our shared humanity.

Karen An- hwei Lee , author of The Maze of Transparencies and Phyla of Joy