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ehmannky's review against another edition
Why am I over an hour into this book and I’ve heard more about Henry Cavendish than any autistic person in the modern day. Also from other reviews it does not seem promising that there’s not a lot of interviews of actual autistic people.
mollywetta's review against another edition
Really fascinating but also accessible.
jessicajane's review
4.0
‘Neurotribes’ is a comprehensive review of the ways in which autism has been viewed and (often badly) managed since its identification as a condition in early 1900s, as well as the emerging understanding of the spectrum of autism. The book is extremely well researched and Silberman draws from several approaches, that we might better understand autism from a social, medical, historical and scientific perspective.
Silberman moves through history, showing the progression (and regression) of scientific research and social understanding (or lack thereof), as well as providing anecdotes about real autistic people living at that time.
It’s fascinating to read about the work of clinicians in a 1930s Vienna clinic who provided a space in which autistic people felt safe and could explore their own passions, allowing them to thrive. In treating autism as a different way of thinking rather than a condition to be cured, these ideas were well ahead of their time. Indeed, autistic people continued to be confined to asylums throughout the 20th century; an atrocity against humanity.
Silberman explores the importance of scientific research, as well as its downfalls. Neuroscience and biochemistry are brilliant ways of understanding the underlying mechanisms of a condition in order to help the person to live a more full life. However, science should never come at the detriment of humanity; there is always a person first and foremost, not a condition with a human attached.
The neurodiversity movement seeks to promote and celebrate the breadth of human minds and the huge diversity in how people think, seeing autism as just another way of looking at the world and arguing that it is society, not autistic people, that needs to be changed. Silberman explores the many achievements of the movement in making society more accepting of various needs, as well as the divisions within the group and the problems created by having a political agenda.
The most significant theme throughout the book is the importance of treating each autistic person as, quite simply, a person; a unique individual with hopes and dreams, fears and struggles, passions and potential. This idea seems obvious but it is quite incredible (and often appalling) how frequently it has been overlooked. The label Autism Spectrum Disorder covers a myriad of behaviours, struggles and people and is important in enabling further cohesive research into effective therapies and environmental adjustments. However, academic study of a group of people will never bring a full understanding of each person’s specific quirks, passions and needs. Keeping an open mind, listening and loving will.
Silberman moves through history, showing the progression (and regression) of scientific research and social understanding (or lack thereof), as well as providing anecdotes about real autistic people living at that time.
It’s fascinating to read about the work of clinicians in a 1930s Vienna clinic who provided a space in which autistic people felt safe and could explore their own passions, allowing them to thrive. In treating autism as a different way of thinking rather than a condition to be cured, these ideas were well ahead of their time. Indeed, autistic people continued to be confined to asylums throughout the 20th century; an atrocity against humanity.
Silberman explores the importance of scientific research, as well as its downfalls. Neuroscience and biochemistry are brilliant ways of understanding the underlying mechanisms of a condition in order to help the person to live a more full life. However, science should never come at the detriment of humanity; there is always a person first and foremost, not a condition with a human attached.
The neurodiversity movement seeks to promote and celebrate the breadth of human minds and the huge diversity in how people think, seeing autism as just another way of looking at the world and arguing that it is society, not autistic people, that needs to be changed. Silberman explores the many achievements of the movement in making society more accepting of various needs, as well as the divisions within the group and the problems created by having a political agenda.
The most significant theme throughout the book is the importance of treating each autistic person as, quite simply, a person; a unique individual with hopes and dreams, fears and struggles, passions and potential. This idea seems obvious but it is quite incredible (and often appalling) how frequently it has been overlooked. The label Autism Spectrum Disorder covers a myriad of behaviours, struggles and people and is important in enabling further cohesive research into effective therapies and environmental adjustments. However, academic study of a group of people will never bring a full understanding of each person’s specific quirks, passions and needs. Keeping an open mind, listening and loving will.
bethanieawp's review against another edition
dark
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Minor: Animal cruelty