The cover of The Global Art of Soccer is designed as a poster model presenting a 90 degree perspective difference between soccer thought (the title and languages of soccer) and the soccer dynamic (represented by the photo of the child with ball).
On the left hand side are listed vertically the word “football” in 56 languages, including Braille and sign language for the blind and deaf (which fit in well with the book section on handicaps and football). The cover photo is of an 18-month old toddler already interested in and playing soccer well. Note the perfect running form as he addresses the ball, about to kick with his left foot. Aha! Perhaps a new Tostão or Liam Brady in the making. Not even having outgrown his baby fat, he was showing such promise.
Shortly after this photo was taken, the boy entered the world of a child with autistic spectrum disorder (also called ASD or autism). He stopped playing soccer, because he developed difficulty expressing himself in all his actions. Today, with intensive therapy and infinite love from people around him, he is making strong progress back towards the original potential demonstrated in the earlier picture.
ASD is a poorly understood neurological condition – autistic symptoms often surface in a child that has seemingly developed normally up to two years old. What is known is that autism will likely rob a child of developing his full potential if not diagnosed early on, and treated promptly and intensively. Autism is increasing in incidence worldwide – diagnosed in up to 1 in 166 children – and research as to its etiology and optimal treatment has so far been delayed and limited.
The cover will soon be available for purchase in a high-definition poster form (check back on The Delivery page).
