NeuroTribes The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity

Steve Silberman — 2015

A New York Times bestseller Winner of the 2015 Samuel Johnson Prize for non-fiction A groundbreaking book that upends conventional thinking about autism and suggests a broader model for acceptance, understanding, and full participation in society for people who think differently. 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 and chronicling the brave and lonely journey of autistic people and their families through the decades, Silberman provides long-sought solutions to the autism puzzle, while mapping out a path for our society toward a more humane world in which people with learning differences and those who love them have access to the resources they need to live happier, healthier, more secure, and more meaningful lives. Along the way, he reveals the untold story of Hans Asperger, the father of Asperger’s syndrome, whose “little professors” were targeted by the darkest social-engineering experiment in human history; exposes the covert campaign by child psychiatrist Leo Kanner to suppress knowledge of the autism spectrum for fifty years; and casts light on the growing movement of "neurodiversity" activists seeking respect, support, technological innovation, accommodations in the workplace and in education, and the right to self-determination for those with cognitive differences.

Reviews

Jeff Sexton@bookanonjeff

Jan 2, 2024

Mostly History with a dash of future. I am Autistic, and this look at the history of my people was more fascinating and horrifying than even I already knew. In this book, Silberman shows several people from history that were fairly clearly Autistic, progressing from early accounts to newest and from there into the histories of the two men that "co-discovered" Autism in the 20th century. The vast bulk of the book is spent inside the 20th century, with only the last chapter or two in the 21st, but even then it truly is fascinating and horrifying. Absolutely recommended for all, particularly those with Autistics in their lives.

Ali Angco@aliangco

Mar 26, 2023

See my review on Storygraph

Magnus Dahl@gorillotaur

Sep 23, 2022

An eye opener on so many levels.

Inese Avota@inesea

Sep 23, 2022

Stories and histories of autism diagnosis

Melody Izard@mizard

Jan 10, 2022

I don't like conspiracy theories. But I do believe there is, has been for a while, some sort of push to homogenize people. If we don't do those normal, expected things, we should be taking a pill for it and we're going to have a name for our disorder. Instead of seeing how people with different ways of dealing with this complicated world can contribute, can flourish, can make the world a more interesting place, we want to label them handicapped or sick. The ways the "disorder" autism has adapted and changed is a perfect example. I love the term Neurodiversity and I love the historic accounts of probable "autistics" from the past.

Jeni Enjaian@jenienjaian

Oct 30, 2021

I found this book incredibly fascinating. Silberman could have spent the whole book speculating about historical figures that may or may not have had autism or could have been placed on the spectrum. Instead, he delves into the history behind the diagnosis and the "treatments" people have employed to make life easier, usually for the caregivers rather than the neurodivergent. We have come a long way in our understanding of the neuroatypical but we have so much further to go.

Rachel@wellreadcatlady

Aug 13, 2021

NeuroTribes gives a detailed account of the history of Autism and how the research was influenced by public opinion on autistic people. Interesting book if you want to know the history of autism from misdiagnosis, how it became it's own disorder, belief of causes, treatment, and stigmatization through time. It's well written and reads smoothly, but it is a long book. Would of liked to see more science and hopes for the future. Overall a good introduction to autism, especially for people who don't really have experience with someone with autism, can teach you a lot!

Michael Hessling@cherrypj