In Sunward: Our Zigzag Path to High-Functioning Autism, author Jo Anne Jeffries invites readers on an inspiring journey through decades of parenting, advocacy, and discovery. The memoir offers an intimate look at her family’s determination to challenge outdated diagnoses and find new pathways to understanding autism.
At a time when autism was profoundly misunderstood, Jo Anne and her husband refused to accept bleak medical predictions for their son. Rejecting harmful recommendations, including institutionalization and even lobotomy, they forged their own path—one centered on love, spiritual growth, and alternative healing. Through perseverance, creativity, and faith, their son transformed from a completely withdrawn child into an independent, high-functioning adult capable of working, driving, and living with dignity.
More than a personal story, Sunward is a message of empowerment for parents, educators, and caregivers. It celebrates the courage to trust one’s instincts, question the system, and never give up hope. Jeffries’ story shows that growth and understanding do not follow a straight line—they unfold through patience and persistence along life’s unpredictable zigzags.
About the Author
Jo Anne Jeffries, a native of North Carolina, is a Duke University graduate who majored in English and minored in history. She has taught English, history, and special education to students from grade school through adulthood. A nationally recognized leader in autism advocacy, Jeffries served as Executive Director of the Autism Society of North Carolina, expanding its reach and resources, including establishing the first group home in the nation for competitively employed individuals with autism.
As Vice President of the Autism Society of America, Jeffries was instrumental in securing landmark regulations granting nationwide service eligibility for people with autism and developmental disabilities. She has spoken across the country and authored numerous articles and pamphlets on autism.
She and her husband, a United Methodist minister, raised four children together.
Primary Message
At its core, Sunward: Our Zigzag Path to High-Functioning Autism reminds readers that love, faith, and resilience can light the way through even the darkest moments. Jeffries’ story challenges us to see autism not as a limitation, but as a different expression of human potential—and to find beauty, meaning, and strength in every turn of the journey.
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