Autism: Explaining the Enigma (Cognitive Development) [Hardcover]

Uta Frith (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0631229000 | ISBN-13: 978-0631229001 | Publication Date: April 28, 2003 | Edition: 2

The updated edition of this classic account of autism includes a new chapter outlining recent developments in neuropsychological research, and overviews one of the most important theoretical and practical consequences of Frith's original insights into this puzzling condition.

• Updated edition of this classic account of autism.
  
• Includes new sections covering practical and theoretical developments, and a chapter on recent investigations of the neurological basis of psychological impairments in autism.
  
• Accessible to a broad general readership.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Uta Frith's Autism has been an indispensable reference, an instant classic, since it was first published, and in this new edition it has been radically revised, with striking enrichments and enlargements in almost every chapter, most especially with dramatic new brain imaging studies which clarify the fundamental nature of autism. But it remains a deeply personal book, as moving and delightful as it is authoritative." Oliver Sacks, MD

"One of the most recognised names in autism research ... Her [Frith's] book is valuable for educated parents interested in learning about autism in a larger historical context ... enlightening." Library Journal, July 2003

"provides a valuable introduction to contemporary cognitive theories." Sally Bigham, Brunel University, British Journal of Developmental Psychology, Vol.21, Part 3, September 2003

"Uta Frith has long been regarded as one of the leading experts in current autism research and psychological theory in this country ... this second edition presents an easy-to-read and logical journey through autism, from what it is and how it is and has been perceived, through current psychological theory to neurological explanation and practical implications. It is an extremely worthwhile book for anyone who wants a research-led understanding of the psychology of autism, particularly students interested in the topic or parents and professionals who may wish to understand the theories feeding future interventions and current understanding of this complex spectrum of conditions." Fiona J. Scott, Psychological Medicine, Vol. 34, 2004

Book Description

The first edition of Autism: Explaining the Enigma quickly became a classic because it provided the first satisfactory psychological account of what happens in the mind of a person with autism. The book proposed that the key problems were an inability to recognize and think about thoughts (theory of mind), and an inability to integrate pieces of information into coherent wholes (central coherence). It suggested that from this beginning, problems of communication, social interaction, and flexibility follow as the complex interactions of human development unfold. This updated edition reports on how this explanation has stood the test of time. A new chapter outlines developments in neuropsychological research that have taken place since the book was first published and reviews the growing body of work on the neurological basis of autism. The accessible style and structure of the original edition have been retained, with information and references updated throughout. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (April 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631229000
• ISBN-13: 978-0631229001
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,633,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important concepts for Educators & Psychologists, August 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Autism: Explaining the Enigma (Paperback)

As a professional counselor who recently started a support group for parents with autistic children this book has given me vital information on how to conceptualize this disorder. This knowledge has enabled me to connect with parents in a very realistic manner. When I interact with them and answer their questions, they hear the ring of truth in what I communicate to them about their child's behaviors and reality. I am very grateful to Uta Frith for writing such a fine book.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really information-rich book!, February 27, 2000

By 

Alex Carter (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Autism: Explaining the Enigma (Paperback)

Having recently been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, I have been collecting books on autism and asperger's syndrome, and this one is one of the best in my collection. I like the way Uta Frith writes, she always has lots of data, hers are always good solid scientific books. One interesting thing is the picture on the cover. First, I thought well, it's just some picture Frith likes, and then in the book she starts analyzing it. Wow, it's about some people working to cheat another person! This is held up to be some kind of healthy normality that we poor people with autism spectrum disorders can't "enjoy". Well I want no part of it. To me it's far more interesting to look at the clothing the people are wearing in the picture, I have spent hours looking at it - the clothing of that time is incredible, and further, the artist had to have good enough paints to reproduce it in the painting. Now that's interesting! I guess that's a lot of the difference right there, here's Uta Frith crying in her Wheaties because people like me are behind in appreciating cheating, and meanwhile I'm more interested in how incredible the picture is visually, and have no desire to cheat anyone. Uta Frith quotes some fairy tale about a mermaid who tried to become human and never could walk right and hurt all the time, and wasn't liked anyway among humans, etc. and compares that to autism-spectrum people, which isn't very nice, and she also talks about autism like it's physically painful or something, which it's not, but all in all I still really like her books because they're scientific. I agree with the lack of "theory of mind" stuff and now that I know the exact definitions of the words, I agree that at least in my case I have "sympathy" but not "empathy". I think this book can be a big help to someone who wants to understand autism.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great primary source for research purposes, April 4, 2003

By 

John Harpur (Trim, Meath, IRELAND) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Autism: Explaining the Enigma (Paperback)

This is a book for researchers primarily. It introduces Frith's theory of weak central coherence as an underlying mechanism in autism. The theory runs (in a nutshell) that autistic individuals do not exhibit context appropriate responses to situation, events, etc. Relevance theory (cf. Sperber & Wilson) oils the wheels of Frith's theory.

The book opens with a long exegesis on a historical case and performs more than a bit of post mortem diagnosis. Such rational reconstructions of the past can be either very rivetting or tiresome. I wasn't convinced that the story avoided the latter pitfall. More enjoyable if shortened.

The rest of the book concentrates on theories of autism and their testability. The tussle between theory of mind (cf. Baron-Cohen's book: Mindblindness) is discussed and gives a brief foretaste of disputes that dominated the nineties'. However, the difficulty that central coherence itself faces is how to shape it into a coherent scientific theory? Frith doesn't entirely skirt this issue and there is much to be gained from simply reflecting on her approach to theory development.

Be warned that lighting up the research stage is a major focus of the work, and this will limit it's appeal. My final comment is not to buy this edition of the book, but to wait for the June 2003 edition. It can only be better.