What is autism? A lifelong disability, or a naturally occurring form of cognitive difference akin to certain forms of genius? In truth, it is all of these things and more—and the future of our society depends on our understanding it. WIRED reporter Steve Silberman unearths the secret history of autism, long suppressed by the same clinicians who became famous for discovering it, and finds surprising answers to the crucial question of why the number of diagnoses has soared in recent years.
Going back to the earliest days of autism research and chronicling the brave and lonely journey of autistic people and their families through the decades, Silberman provides long-sought solutions to the autism puzzle, while mapping out a path for our society toward a more humane world in which people with learning differences and those who love them have access to the resources they need to live happier, healthier, more …
What is autism? A lifelong disability, or a naturally occurring form of cognitive difference akin to certain forms of genius? In truth, it is all of these things and more—and the future of our society depends on our understanding it. WIRED reporter Steve Silberman unearths the secret history of autism, long suppressed by the same clinicians who became famous for discovering it, and finds surprising answers to the crucial question of why the number of diagnoses has soared in recent years.
Going back to the earliest days of autism research and chronicling the brave and lonely journey of autistic people and their families through the decades, Silberman provides long-sought solutions to the autism puzzle, while mapping out a path for our society toward a more humane world in which people with learning differences and those who love them have access to the resources they need to live happier, healthier, more secure, and more meaningful lives.
Along the way, he reveals the untold story of Hans Asperger, the father of Asperger’s syndrome, whose “little professors” were targeted by the darkest social-engineering experiment in human history; exposes the covert campaign by child psychiatrist Leo Kanner to suppress knowledge of the autism spectrum for fifty years; and casts light on the growing movement of "neurodiversity" activists seeking respect, support, technological innovation, accommodations in the workplace and in education, and the right to self-determination for those with cognitive differences.
A thorough history of autism that's often grim but enlightening. Much of the book seems to be about (probably) well meaning medical professionals exploiting autistic people for wealth and fame, with a slow but steady improvement that seems to come to fruition during the 80s. It isn't a self help or text book and while it paints a rich picture of the diversity of the autism spectrum, it doesn't attempt to describe the condition or its neurological nature in any detail. Definitely worth a read of you're interested in the condition, but it can be a bit of a slog. I switched to the audiobook towards the end which was much easier to get through, but YMMV.
The 17th book I've read this year. It was a very long one :D https://blog.arkadi.one/neurotribes-the-legacy-of-autism-and-how-to-think-smarter-about-people-who
Eh, this book was very hit or miss. I would have liked more long term case studies, more scientific studies and research data. I would have liked less background on the scientists themselves. Less conjecture about famous people who might or might not been autistic.
The author also made it seem like most autistics were savants and sadly I don't think that is true. The author also spent most of the time talking about people with Asperger syndrome, or the so called high functioning autistics. There just did not seem to be enough real science behind some of the material. There were not enough real stories from real families and their struggles and triumphs. There were not enough stories about autistic adults who were NOT high functioning. What happens to these people? Do they become wards of the state when parents die? Too many unanswered questions.
Could have been much …
Eh, this book was very hit or miss. I would have liked more long term case studies, more scientific studies and research data. I would have liked less background on the scientists themselves. Less conjecture about famous people who might or might not been autistic.
The author also made it seem like most autistics were savants and sadly I don't think that is true. The author also spent most of the time talking about people with Asperger syndrome, or the so called high functioning autistics. There just did not seem to be enough real science behind some of the material. There were not enough real stories from real families and their struggles and triumphs. There were not enough stories about autistic adults who were NOT high functioning. What happens to these people? Do they become wards of the state when parents die? Too many unanswered questions.
