Autistic Thinking: This is the Title [Paperback]

Peter Vermeulen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2001

To understand the ways people with autism think, Peter Vermeulen argues, we need to try to get inside their world. The latest scientific thinking is clearly explained, and illustrated by numerous personal accounts. This introductory book offers the reader a real window into the autistic mind and the very individual way in which it processes information. Honest and accessible, this book will be invaluable to anyone involved in the care of an autistic child.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'We have no idea what it is to see the world through the eyes of autism...We offend the logic of the autistic mind, we confuse with indirect and non-literal language, we exasperate with our unpredictability and our social obsessions. Translation is vital and Peter Vermeulan makes a great contribution towards that increased understanding with this small book. Anyone who reads it, and reads between the lines of the many wonderful anecdotes and examples, must surely be left with a greater respect for the autistic view of the world, and a sense of the value (as well as the challenge) of these very special minds.' - From the Introduction by Francesca Happe 'This is a book that anyone who is even in the slightest measure involved in the lives of individuals with autism must keep on the shelves of his home library.' - Ina van Bercklaer-Onnes, Professor, Leiden University 'This is an extremely practical book, very useful to all who have to deal directly with the problem of autism.' - Eddy Daniels, Intermediair

About the Author

Peter Vermeulen trained as a counsellor and educationalist and has worked for many years with autistic children. At present he is Autism Consultant and Lecturer at Vlaamse Dienst Autisme, where he edits a bi-monthly magazine Autisme, and a freelance lecturer and trainer. He also works freelance at the Department of Psychology and Pedagogical Sciences and the Department of Sociology at the University of Leuven. He is the author of I am Special, also published by Jessica Kingsley, and has written extensively on autism.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley; 1 edition (May 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853029955
• ISBN-13: 978-1853029950
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #506,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understand autism from the inside, January 7, 2006

By 

Evan S. Cent (London) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Autistic Thinking: This is the Title (Paperback)

I have Asperger Syndrome, and I like this book a lot. Many books on autism center on autistic BEHAVIOURS, but this book is different; when you understand how the autistic MIND works, the behaviours make more sense. This is enormously useful. The in-depth explanation of autistic thinking rings very true with me and has helped my parents understand me much better.
I believe everyone struggles with communication to some degree, and if you can get a better understanding of how others are thinking, it can only help. With autism the difficulties are magnified. This book can help 'neurotypical' people understand autism. It has also helped me to understand myself and explain myself better.

There are familiar terms (to those who have read something of autism before) such as 'theory of mind', and 'central cohesion' which the author explain in easy-to-grasp terms with concrete examples. He uses humour and jokes to explain (but certainly not make light of) many of the concepts and I think this works very well. There are also many short anectdotes that clarify the theory nicely. What before had been somewhat abstract theories, I am now able to appreciate and identify in myself.

I like the author's approach because he had a real appreciation of the differences as well as the similarities among autistic people.

Overall, I would say that this is one of the most helpful books on the subject that I have read as an adult.

If you are interested in how people with Asperger's Syndrome think, you might find the following book helpful, too: "Asperger Syndrome and Psychotherapy: Understanding Asperger Perspectives" by Paula Jacobsen.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, but takes some getting used to, November 23, 2004

By 

LIZARD "LIZARD" (RI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Autistic Thinking: This is the Title (Paperback)

I loved this book! It was initially a bit confusing, but Peter Vermeulen does an excellent job of putting the reader into the head of a person with autism with his writing style and empathic creativity. My son was diagnosed with autism at 2 1/2, and although he is learning to communicate better every day, I found this book to be very helpful to me in helping him. This is a must-have for any parent of a child with autism. Please pick it up today!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Autistic thinking, September 30, 2007

By 

Colette (Gold Coast,Australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Autistic Thinking: This is the Title (Paperback)

Time needed to sit down to read this one,not a quick read,but very interesting and gives an insight into the autistic world, to view it through their eyes,Peter goes to great lengths so we can feel it as well,things we don't usually think of ourselves can be humourous in parts and it helps us to understand and see that being logical can also be a good thing.Excellent information.