NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity
Aug 2015 · Sold by Penguin
4.3star
24 reviews
Ebook
400
Pages
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About this ebook
This New York Times–bestselling book upends conventional thinking about autism and suggests a broader model for acceptance, understanding, and full participation in society for people who think differently.
“Beautifully told, humanizing, important.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Breathtaking.”—The Boston Globe
“Epic and often shocking.”—Chicago Tribune
WINNER OF THE SAMUEL JOHNSON PRIZE FOR NONFICTION AND THE CALIFORNIA BOOK AWARD
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, Silberman offers a gripping narrative of Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger, the research pioneers who defined the scope of autism in profoundly different ways; he then goes on to explore the game-changing concept of neurodiversity. NeuroTribes considers the idea that neurological differences such as autism, dyslexia, and ADHD are not errors of nature or products of the toxic modern world, but the result of natural variations in the human genome. This groundbreaking book will reshape our understanding of the history, meaning, function, and implications of neurodiversity in our world.
“Beautifully told, humanizing, important.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Breathtaking.”—The Boston Globe
“Epic and often shocking.”—Chicago Tribune
WINNER OF THE SAMUEL JOHNSON PRIZE FOR NONFICTION AND THE CALIFORNIA BOOK AWARD
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, Silberman offers a gripping narrative of Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger, the research pioneers who defined the scope of autism in profoundly different ways; he then goes on to explore the game-changing concept of neurodiversity. NeuroTribes considers the idea that neurological differences such as autism, dyslexia, and ADHD are not errors of nature or products of the toxic modern world, but the result of natural variations in the human genome. This groundbreaking book will reshape our understanding of the history, meaning, function, and implications of neurodiversity in our world.
Ratings and reviews
4.3
24 reviews
Dan Slaymaker
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April 23, 2019
I seldom ever review ANYTHING, but I have found that I'm simply compelled to make an exception here. This book is nothing if sheer genius concerning the research of the autism spectrum and the Neurodiversity movement. I believe Mr. Silberman has contributed greatly to a cause worth fighting for and has helped elucidate a lot of enigmatic aspects of autism and the history of it in such a concise and profoundly impactful way. I'm HIGHLY looking forward to the ongoing dialogue in society on Neurodiversity in the future, and cannot praise this book enough for it's contribution to this dialogue.
13 people found this review helpful
Christa Nice
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August 6, 2022
This was one of the first books I read after my husband realized he is autistic. It is detailed, and some of it is hard to hear, because autistic people have not been treated well and still struggle to find acceptance and helpful resources. However, it really opened my eyes to how autistic people think and helped me understand my husband more, as well as have compassion for what he is going through.
Diane Tolentino
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September 23, 2018
The best book I've read about autism. It answered all my questions the time my son was newly diagnosed, even questions I did not think of asking. I highly recommend this to anyone researching about autism. I hope every antivaxxer gets to read this!
8 people found this review helpful
About the author
Steve Silberman has covered science and cultural affairs for WIRED and other national magazines for more than twenty years. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, TIME, Nature, and Salon. He lives in San Francisco.
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