Planet Autism is an old article (Scot Sea, Salon, 2003; registration or free daypass required), but it is an incredibly intense, realistic and moving account of living with a disabled child. Even though much of the article describes the author’s specific trials of dealing with autism, many of the observations (spinning through the medical system’s endless circles, reduced finances due to not being able to work full-time, clueless friends/neighbours) ring frighteningly true for any parents of severely developmentally disabled children; I find the the fear expressed in the last four paragraphs is chillingly recognizable. Emily Perl Kingsley’s “Welcome to Holland” is the G-rated, Hallmark version (though moving in its own way); “Planet Autism” is the real thing.