"It seems that for success in science or art, a dash of autism is essential." — Hans Asperger
What is autism? 70 years ago, your answer would have depended on if you asked Leo Kanner or Hans Asperger. Kanner believed autistics were rare, severely retarded, and that they had cold, unloving parents who cared more about their careers than their children. Asperger believed that autistics were commonplace, intelligent while also being disabled, and that with enough reasonable accommodation, understanding, and acceptance, they could thrive.
Unfortunately, Kanner won that battle, and the next half century would be pure hell for autistics.
Ultimately, this book is an activist tome using history to make its point. Tracing the history of autism, through 8 years of research, Steve Silberman points out how autistics all across the spectrum have been misunderstood, misinterpreted, abused, bullied, and forced into imitating the behaviors of everyone around them in a flawed act of elaborate mimicry that leaves them feeling mentally drained. The history of science and the sci-fi fandom is studied in detail, and Silberman points out that many pioneering scientists and sci-fi geeks have either been eventually diagnosed with autism, or show an enormous number of autism-like traits. And also, that ultimately, Hans Asperger was right, and Leo Kanner was utterly wrong, as the psychology establishment now agrees.
Autistic self-advocates have been saying that autism should be understood and accepted, rather than being stifled or attacked. That being forced to pretend to be the same as everyone else isn't possible for most autistics anyway, and even redirects brainpower that instead could be better used to actually do important things (like one's job). That instead, society should consider reasonable accommodations for autistics so they can fully participate in society.
All the history of autism and many examples used throughout the book ultimately back up those beliefs. When autistics aren't understood, and are oppressed, terrible things happen. When they're given support and the opportunities to use what Hans Asperger called their "autistic intelligence", sometimes great things spring forth; though if nothing else, the autistic lives a far happier life. The book convincingly makes the case that autism needs to be understood, and accepted.
Literature An epic history lesson that bolsters autistic activism
What is autism? 70 years ago, your answer would have depended on if you asked Leo Kanner or Hans Asperger. Kanner believed autistics were rare, severely retarded, and that they had cold, unloving parents who cared more about their careers than their children. Asperger believed that autistics were commonplace, intelligent while also being disabled, and that with enough reasonable accommodation, understanding, and acceptance, they could thrive.
Unfortunately, Kanner won that battle, and the next half century would be pure hell for autistics.
Ultimately, this book is an activist tome using history to make its point. Tracing the history of autism, through 8 years of research, Steve Silberman points out how autistics all across the spectrum have been misunderstood, misinterpreted, abused, bullied, and forced into imitating the behaviors of everyone around them in a flawed act of elaborate mimicry that leaves them feeling mentally drained. The history of science and the sci-fi fandom is studied in detail, and Silberman points out that many pioneering scientists and sci-fi geeks have either been eventually diagnosed with autism, or show an enormous number of autism-like traits. And also, that ultimately, Hans Asperger was right, and Leo Kanner was utterly wrong, as the psychology establishment now agrees.
Autistic self-advocates have been saying that autism should be understood and accepted, rather than being stifled or attacked. That being forced to pretend to be the same as everyone else isn't possible for most autistics anyway, and even redirects brainpower that instead could be better used to actually do important things (like one's job). That instead, society should consider reasonable accommodations for autistics so they can fully participate in society.
All the history of autism and many examples used throughout the book ultimately back up those beliefs. When autistics aren't understood, and are oppressed, terrible things happen. When they're given support and the opportunities to use what Hans Asperger called their "autistic intelligence", sometimes great things spring forth; though if nothing else, the autistic lives a far happier life. The book convincingly makes the case that autism needs to be understood, and accepted.