How to Understand Autism: The Easy Way [Paperback]

Alex Durig (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2005

In this clear and accessible introduction to autism, Alex Durig provides a host of ideas and examples that enable the reader to understand the phenomenon of autism, recognize different kinds of autistic perception and behavior and prepare for interaction with autistic people. To help 'normal' people understand and lose their fear of autism, Durig discusses the notions of 'slight' autism, being or becoming 'autism-friendly' and the mental well-being of autistic people. The author explains how autistic perception 'works' and how it yields autistic behaviors to enable readers to see the world through the eyes of an autistic person, and thus change the way they perceive autism.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'In this intriguing book Alex Durig vigorously explores the murky - almost mystical - borderland between autism and normality. Durig's well-written and creative challenge to conventional thinking about autism is sure to arouse controversy while it broadens perspectives.' - Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., Director, Autism Research Institute 'Alex Durig presents a clear, alternative paradigm to professionals, parents, and adults who "don't get" autism. Durig is a seminal thinker. In explaining autistic perception and behavior, his insight is as significant a contribution to understanding human thought and behavior as the writings and teachings of L.S. Vygotsky, A.R. Luria, Herb Lovett, Tony Attwood and Deirdre V. Lovecky. Using a unique approach, Durig emphasizes the spectral nature of autism. He rejects the autism industry's misdirected medical/scientific stereotypic views about autism, approaches that fundamentally disparage and disrespect human differences. Durig is critical of "expert" characterizations wedded to terms implying the fix-it/cure it baggage of moralistic disapprobation such as disease, disorder, deficits, dysfunctional, and disabled. For professionals and lay readers alike, Durig explains why perceiving autistic individuals through the lens of "normalization" does not work. He clearly explains why medical, scientific, and education industry efforts to squeeze individuals on the spectrum into diagnostic boxes (that leak!) have accounted for documented, continued failed efforts to improve the quality of life of their clients/patients/students/children. By presenting autism as a different mental process of meaningfully perceiving the world, Durig proposes a model of individual human differences based upon two critical constructs: Social Thinking and Computer Thinking. Rather than using language and terms that have historically distorted experts' characterizations of autism, he presents the reader with a clear, intuitively correct visual chart model designed to enlighten the reader, and, for the first time, successfully explain human differences in perception and behavior in humanistic, empathetic terms. For anyone involved with autistic spectrum issues, Durig's book is a "must read".' --- Roger N. Meyer, author of Asperger Syndrome Employment Workbook

About the Author

Alex Durig received a Ph.D. in the social psychology of perception from Indiana University in 1992, where he was awarded a National Institute of Mental Health post-doctoral fellowship and spent two years as a visiting professor. Alex then spent 5 years as a professor at California State University, San Marcos. His first book, Autism and the Crisis of Meaning, was published in 1996. He has published in numerous academic journals and has co-authored an article in the Encyclopedia of Sociology. Alex speaks publicly to health care professionals, psychologists, sociologists, linguists and families whose lives have been impacted by autism. Alex retired from full-time teaching in 1999, and now lives in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where he dedicates his time to research, writing and public speaking.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1 edition (January 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843107910
• ISBN-13: 978-1843107910
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,518,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book Ever for Us on Autism, July 30, 2008

By 

Jamie F. Wheeler "jamie.wheeler" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Understand Autism: The Easy Way (Paperback)

I have an eleven year old daughter, Austen, who has autism. I have read literally everything there is to read about her "disorder". This is the best book ever for our family and everyone who helps Austen (I've given it to at least six people). I agree with the other review here that this text is not as complete in some clinical areas, but what is does do is help us, the "neurotypical" population, STOP trying to pound autistic people into our ideas of what constitutes a good and healthy life. Durig has created a way for those of us who see through a narrower lens to appreciate the kaleidescopic vision of the autistic person.

5.0 out of 5 stars Comforting Book for Parent of Child with Autism, January 19, 2012

By 

Sunset West - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Understand Autism: The Easy Way (Paperback)

If you want to feel good about your child with Autism, this is the book for you. This book helped me understand my son with Autism so much better. I absolutely loved it.

The author is a wonderful caring man from my experience. He probably is not writing the book for the money. I think he mentions in this book that his mom bought him a new desk so he could write this book. The man is not capable of being pretentious or deceiving in my opinion because he is slightly autistic himself.

Visit his blog at: http://alexdurig.wordpress.com/author/alexdurig/.