I'm pretty sure my partner is on the spectrum, but due to his age, was never identified as such. He thinks of himself as a 'freak' and in as much as he has made an identity of it, and TV series like The Big Bang Theory have helped him, I would love to find a good book such as the one you described, that tells how and why we have treated autism/asperger so badly.
It's a fascinating book and because it's by a journalist it's very accessible in terms of style. It gives ideas in the bibliography for further reading, which is useful. I hope you both read and enjoy it!
Thank you for recommending this book. It seems to provide much needed insight into the characteristics, needs and appropriate strategies for helping those on the spectrum.
It's really enlightening. I began to understand why there was so much misunderstanding attached to the subject, and where to go for good advice. I had already read Lorna Wing's book and have one of Temple Grandin's on my shelf. I'm so glad a journalist decided to give us this overview - so much more accessible than scientific papers (though we've been ploughing through those, too) and so helpful in explaining the history and the minefields that history created.
I cross posted my review to my Wordpress blog, which is never f'locked, and somebody must have told the author because he responded via Twitter to say thank you and that he was honoured!! Then my husband wanted to enter into a conversation with him, via my blog, about the book - I don't think either of them have a Wordpress account and I am not going there!!! Does that sound reasonable??
LOL - sounds like a case of stand back and let 'em get on with it! How lovely the author took the trouble to track you down and reply though - and I think you're so right about getting the book via a library too. These things need to be on shelves and out where people can find them easily, or wonder what they are and look.
It does sound really interesting but also written in an understandable way which is a rare gift in a subject this complicated. I've added it to my to read list and I'll request it from my local library when the pile gets a little smaller!
It's a long read, even though it isn't a particularly difficult one, so yes, wait till the pile is diminishing! It's fascinating and I hope you enjoy it.
Oh, thanks for the rec, I'm always looking for an interesting autism book. I'll be buying a copy as a present; we're a family with a few people on the spectrum, a few more we're pretty sure should be, and even most of the rest of us have found that the more we understand, the more it throws some of own personality quirks into an interesting light. :)
Then it's definitely for you! the research is fascinating - both the research the various psychiatrists and psychologists did and the research the author does into their history. Also, it's a very accessible book, despite being long, so will be of interest to most family members.
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I'm pretty sure my partner is on the spectrum, but due to his age, was never identified as such. He thinks of himself as a 'freak' and in as much as he has made an identity of it, and TV series like The Big Bang Theory have helped him, I would love to find a good book such as the one you described, that tells how and why we have treated autism/asperger so badly.
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Fascinating - and thank you!
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LOL - sounds like a case of stand back and let 'em get on with it! How lovely the author took the trouble to track you down and reply though - and I think you're so right about getting the book via a library too. These things need to be on shelves and out where people can find them easily, or wonder what they are and look.
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