Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism, by Barry M. Prizant, PHD, with Tom Fields-Meyer.
In delightful contrast to the book about parties I read last week (and really, much general philosophy about autism) comes this book.
I should explain. Autism, as a term, has nearly as many meanings as there are people that know about it. But almost overwhelmingly, that meaning is negative. "Autism" is often used to refer to all the weaknesses, disabilities, and flaws inherent in a person. Digestive problems? Must be the autism. Social problems? Must be the autism. Short tempered? Must be the autism. Any positive traits are assumed to be part of the child despite the diagnosis.
The DSM has not, historically, helped in this regard. As the starting point for most professionals' understandings of autism, it is undeniably negative. Because a diagnosis generally requires serious problems in living and functioning, that's what the DSM focuses on. And that negative focus then rubs off on any professionals using it. Which in turn rubs off on parents and people with autism.
This book, then, is rather the opposite. But not in a bad way. I was watching for it, but the failing I see crop up in the neurodiversity movement - denying that autism is a disability - is only marginally represented here. Instead, the focus is on showing and empowering the humanity of autistic people. Particularly the more poorly-blended members.
It was once (and still is, in places) insisted and believed that non-verbal autistic people are "damaged" people. Not entirely human. Unable to communicate, unable to have relationships, unable to participate in the human race. Broken beyond hope of recovery. This is false. While this book neither denies nor ignores the difficulties inherent in being unable to communicate via words, it does vehemently insist that there are ways to communicate with such people, and be communicated to in return. It insists that all behaviors have a purpose, and that very often that purpose is not "to be defiant," or "to get one's own way."
I've heard already, of course, that behaviors commonly called "stimming" such as hand-flapping, rocking, spinning, etc, serve to calm and relax an overstimulated person. They look odd, naturally, but serve an important purpose. This book, though, is full of stories of much more obvious and confusing behaviors, what purpose they served, and how the people could be understood and their personhood recognized.
And this book focuses on the so called "lower-functioning" section of the spectrum, with stories that are everything from surprising to heartwarming. Included are some insights into our minds, like how emotional memory affects us, why some people on the spectrum insist on things being the same all the time, and why the world is so frightening to us. The author also offers his basic framework for understanding and working with people on the autism spectrum.
The emotional memory section reminded me of how my memory for music sometimes works. I assign meanings, feelings, people, and memories to some songs, often based on the content of the song itself. So when I hear those songs, I'm immediately reminded of those things. In one particular case, about half a year ago, I was exercising with a friend of mine at a gym. Mid-conversation, the song "Paradise" by Coldplay popped onto the radio, and I lost the entire thread of conversation, stricken by accusatory connotations I see in the song. I like Coldplay, as a rule, but that particular song suggests to me the philosophy of redefining happiness to whatever small things you have in reach, while life wrecks you, rather trying to improve your life and achieve your goals and dreams. It's a sobering, and painful, philosophy to me It's one I... mostly don't believe is a good idea, but when I hear this song I'm reminded of the philosophy, and wonder if I'm not deluding myself.
But perhaps what I found most striking about this book was how it addressed ABA (or Applied Behavioral Analysis). I've... never seen someone deconstruct the philosophy behind ABA in a book like this. On the whole, ABA is viewed as one of the most effective and helpful therapies for autistic children. There are definitely problems with it, like the fact that someone has to decide what "normal" is, and then enforce it. And the fact that in the process of quantifying a behavior in that mindset, you usually don't ask whether it's beneficial or serves a purpose. Which is one of the author's points. I won't detail the rest in hopes that you'll read the book itself.
In delightful contrast to the book about parties I read last week (and really, much general philosophy about autism) comes this book.
I should explain. Autism, as a term, has nearly as many meanings as there are people that know about it. But almost overwhelmingly, that meaning is negative. "Autism" is often used to refer to all the weaknesses, disabilities, and flaws inherent in a person. Digestive problems? Must be the autism. Social problems? Must be the autism. Short tempered? Must be the autism. Any positive traits are assumed to be part of the child despite the diagnosis.
The DSM has not, historically, helped in this regard. As the starting point for most professionals' understandings of autism, it is undeniably negative. Because a diagnosis generally requires serious problems in living and functioning, that's what the DSM focuses on. And that negative focus then rubs off on any professionals using it. Which in turn rubs off on parents and people with autism.
This book, then, is rather the opposite. But not in a bad way. I was watching for it, but the failing I see crop up in the neurodiversity movement - denying that autism is a disability - is only marginally represented here. Instead, the focus is on showing and empowering the humanity of autistic people. Particularly the more poorly-blended members.
It was once (and still is, in places) insisted and believed that non-verbal autistic people are "damaged" people. Not entirely human. Unable to communicate, unable to have relationships, unable to participate in the human race. Broken beyond hope of recovery. This is false. While this book neither denies nor ignores the difficulties inherent in being unable to communicate via words, it does vehemently insist that there are ways to communicate with such people, and be communicated to in return. It insists that all behaviors have a purpose, and that very often that purpose is not "to be defiant," or "to get one's own way."
I've heard already, of course, that behaviors commonly called "stimming" such as hand-flapping, rocking, spinning, etc, serve to calm and relax an overstimulated person. They look odd, naturally, but serve an important purpose. This book, though, is full of stories of much more obvious and confusing behaviors, what purpose they served, and how the people could be understood and their personhood recognized.
And this book focuses on the so called "lower-functioning" section of the spectrum, with stories that are everything from surprising to heartwarming. Included are some insights into our minds, like how emotional memory affects us, why some people on the spectrum insist on things being the same all the time, and why the world is so frightening to us. The author also offers his basic framework for understanding and working with people on the autism spectrum.
The emotional memory section reminded me of how my memory for music sometimes works. I assign meanings, feelings, people, and memories to some songs, often based on the content of the song itself. So when I hear those songs, I'm immediately reminded of those things. In one particular case, about half a year ago, I was exercising with a friend of mine at a gym. Mid-conversation, the song "Paradise" by Coldplay popped onto the radio, and I lost the entire thread of conversation, stricken by accusatory connotations I see in the song. I like Coldplay, as a rule, but that particular song suggests to me the philosophy of redefining happiness to whatever small things you have in reach, while life wrecks you, rather trying to improve your life and achieve your goals and dreams. It's a sobering, and painful, philosophy to me It's one I... mostly don't believe is a good idea, but when I hear this song I'm reminded of the philosophy, and wonder if I'm not deluding myself.
But perhaps what I found most striking about this book was how it addressed ABA (or Applied Behavioral Analysis). I've... never seen someone deconstruct the philosophy behind ABA in a book like this. On the whole, ABA is viewed as one of the most effective and helpful therapies for autistic children. There are definitely problems with it, like the fact that someone has to decide what "normal" is, and then enforce it. And the fact that in the process of quantifying a behavior in that mindset, you usually don't ask whether it's beneficial or serves a purpose. Which is one of the author's points. I won't detail the rest in hopes that you'll read the book itself.
Read This Book If
You're anyone that has dealings with autism, ever. Particularly with nonverbal people, but even with better blended people on the spectrum, this book has answers you may need. If you're frustrated with a child's behavior, if you just want to understand us better, if you're wondering why the kid at church or down the street does the stuff he does... read this book. Seriously, go do it now.
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