The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum, by Temple Grandin and Richard Panek, is a book that explains the research, progression of thought, and advancement of autistic people over the time the primary author, Temple Grandin, has been alive. This book is about six years old, so while it doesn't have the latest research, it's still valuable in terms of the discussion and overview.
Dr. Grandin is a voracious reader and a scientist, so she's kept abreast of research as it's developed over time. Fortunately for parents and non-scientists everywhere, she's been able to write in terms that laypeople can understand. Rather than make her readers sort through overcomplicated word choice, abundant acronyms, and obfuscation of ideas, she simply outlines the major research focuses, discusses them, and then discusses the "what next."
This is a two part book: past thinking and research is part 1. It began with a summary of the history of autism, followed by a section on brain scans, then genetics and DNA, and then sensory sensitivities. Each subject is discussed in enough detail to give you a clear picture of what's happened in that area.
The second half the book is more philosophy and building on the past research and ideas. It's the "now what?" that followed the "where we've been." Again, all of this is quite approachable and readable for a layperson, which I'm particularly appreciating after having to read so many words in scientific writing style.
The most notable section to me in this book was near the end, where Grandin discusses autistic thinking and strengths. In a past book, she theorized that autistic people think in pictures. She herself does that, after all. The thing is, I don't. At least, I mostly don't.
I think in some absurd combination of concepts, music, flavors, pictures, patterns, and words. Grandin revisits this idea in this book, and corrects her initial assumption. She now theorizes at least three types of thinkers. While I still don't think I'm any of these theorized thinker types, I appreciate that she's willing to correct her mistake and rethink her ideas.
Mind you, I still think she has a ways to go, but in truth, I'm not sure I'd do much better in her place.
Dr. Grandin is a voracious reader and a scientist, so she's kept abreast of research as it's developed over time. Fortunately for parents and non-scientists everywhere, she's been able to write in terms that laypeople can understand. Rather than make her readers sort through overcomplicated word choice, abundant acronyms, and obfuscation of ideas, she simply outlines the major research focuses, discusses them, and then discusses the "what next."
This is a two part book: past thinking and research is part 1. It began with a summary of the history of autism, followed by a section on brain scans, then genetics and DNA, and then sensory sensitivities. Each subject is discussed in enough detail to give you a clear picture of what's happened in that area.
The second half the book is more philosophy and building on the past research and ideas. It's the "now what?" that followed the "where we've been." Again, all of this is quite approachable and readable for a layperson, which I'm particularly appreciating after having to read so many words in scientific writing style.
The most notable section to me in this book was near the end, where Grandin discusses autistic thinking and strengths. In a past book, she theorized that autistic people think in pictures. She herself does that, after all. The thing is, I don't. At least, I mostly don't.
I think in some absurd combination of concepts, music, flavors, pictures, patterns, and words. Grandin revisits this idea in this book, and corrects her initial assumption. She now theorizes at least three types of thinkers. While I still don't think I'm any of these theorized thinker types, I appreciate that she's willing to correct her mistake and rethink her ideas.
Mind you, I still think she has a ways to go, but in truth, I'm not sure I'd do much better in her place.
Read This Book If
You have an interest in learning the history and major research focal points of autism, without having to hunt down the research yourself. Grandin and Panek do a fantastic job presenting that information to a wide audience. They then build on the ideas presented to help answer the question of "what do we do now," tackling subjects like inclusion, employment, and quality of life. I appreciated the effort the authors put into trying to include the whole autism spectrum: speaking and nonspeaking, savants and non-savants, and thinkers of all kinds.
might have to pick this one up
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