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NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity Hardcover – August 25, 2015

by Steve Silberman (Author), Oliver Sacks (Foreword)

187 customer reviews

in Medical Psychology History

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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.

NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity

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Product Details

Hardcover: 544 pages
Publisher: Avery; 1 edition (August 25, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 158333467X
ISBN-13: 978-1583334676
Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.7 x 9.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (187 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Books > Medical Books > Psychology > History
- #1 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Specific Demographics > Disabled
- #1 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > History

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Customer Reviews

187

4.5 out of 5 stars

5 star		76%
4 star		14%
3 star		1%
2 star		2%
1 star		7%

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

132 of 138 people found the following review helpful

My Tribe

By Nellie Moore on August 25, 2015

Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase

I per-ordered this book a few months ago and last week also ordered the Kindle version. My kindle version was delivered promptly this morning and I've been reading it since. I have a paperback version that is on it's way to be delivered today so I can share a copy with my husband and my doctor. Thus far this book promises to be what I had hoped it would be, another opportunity to understand myself better, and an opportunity to help others understand those of us on the Spectrum. I was diagnosed with Asperger's last year at the age of 53. Finally, after all of these years, I continue to understand that I am not broken, or in need of repair, just simply different. Thank you Mr. Silberman for your dedication to this topic and for writing what promises to be a very helpful book for the Neurodiverse and Neurotypical world.

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92 of 97 people found the following review helpful

A fascinating account; shines as both history and human-interest story

By A. Jogalekar VINE VOICE on August 25, 2015

Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase

Steve Silberman is a journalist and writer for WIRED magazine who has written many readable stories on medicine and human health. In this book he brings many years of reporting and training to delve upon one of the most prominent health issues of our time – autism.

Silberman’s book is rich in both human and scientific detail and shines in three aspects. Firstly, he meticulously traces the history of autism and the lives of the neurologists, psychologists and doctors who chased its elusive identity. He focuses especially on two psychologists, Leo Kanner in the United States and Hans Asperger in Nazi-controlled Vienna who identified the syndrome and pioneered its study through observations on hundreds of cases. Asperger was the first one to identify a variety of signs and symptoms that contribute to what we now call autism spectrum disorder, and his studies were expansive and nuanced. Silberman’s account of both the foibles and the triumphs of these two individuals is fascinating: while Kanner’s fault was in assigning the blame for autism to parents (he coined the phrase "refrigerator mother") and focusing on children, Asperger identified mostly high-functioning autistic savants in his publications for a chilling reason – so that the lower functioning cases could avoid the ghastly fate met by victims of the Nazis’ euthanasia program which aimed at eliminating “mentally feeble” individuals. Both Kenner and Asperger meant well, and in Asperger’s case his withholding of the identities of autistic people literally meant the difference between life and death.

And yet as Silberman so adeptly demonstrates, this was one of those cases where the intentions of humane and well-meaning researchers actually caused harm to public perceptions of the syndrome.Read more ›

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65 of 68 people found the following review helpful

A Comprehensive View of Autism Past and Present

By Nancy Famolari on August 27, 2015

Format: Hardcover

The diagnosis of autism is on the rise and such a diagnosis terrifies parents. This book puts into perspective what the diagnosis means and how autistic people can realize their potential. Autistic people range from the genius level to being barely able to cope with self-care. However, each child has potential, and the parents and teachers need to find ways to bring out their special gifts.

The story of autism is a long one. Autistic people have always been with us. I particularly enjoyed the stories of Cavendish, the Wizard of Clapham, and Paul Dirac. Both men exhibited autistic tendencies, but made significant contributions to science. High functioning people with autistic tendencies in the past were considered eccentric. Low functioning autistic people ended up in asylums.

The book covers Asperger's work with his “little professors” before the second world war, and the work of Kanner, a child psychiatrist, who suppressed the knowledge of the autism spectrum proposed by Asperger.

The frightening controversy over whether the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine was responsible for pushing susceptible children into autism is covered in detail, as is the current “neurodiversity” movement. It also explains how the change in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual's criteria for autism led to an expanded diagnosis that had the appearance of an epidemic.

If you have an interest in autism, or are working with an autistic child or adult, this is a must read book. It puts the history of autism in perspective and with the “neurodiversity” movement gives hope that with improved teaching and behavioral management skills autistic people may be able to recognize and use their talents.

I reviewed this book for Net Galley.

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59 of 63 people found the following review helpful

Re-writing the history of autism

By PMB on August 27, 2015

Format: Hardcover

The narrative history of autism has been dominated by many professionals and academicians with strong biases and self-interests, often fiscally driven and promotional for particular "treatments", or by well-meaning parents whose experience is only with their child or particular treatments (important, but not wide-reaching). Finally, Neurotribes gives us a meticulously researched objective account that not only shatters many myths about "legends" in the field of autism (many of who have caused more damage than good), but one crafted with compassion and with the insights of people on the spectrum and their family members. Having been in the trenches for more than 40 years, I not only recognized but I knew or know many of the important figures profiled in this book, and Neurotribes is spot on in capturing their passion and significance. This book will re-write the history of autism, and only in the most positive ways.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Explains Autism Well.

I got this for my husband, who finally was diagnosed as high-functioning Aspberger's in his late 60s. Whew. He loved this book. Read more

Published 1 day ago by Robin

One of the best ASD books I've read

This is perhaps one of the best books I've read on Autism. Mr. Silberman has done a great job of integrating how connections were made across history. Read more

Published 1 day ago by Heather Johnson

important history of autism

I've already read plenty about autism, but this book definitely filled in some serious holes in my understanding. Read more

Published 2 days ago by quintorpian

The pace of a thriller

Neurotribes opens with a question – why is autism suddenly so visible? From popular culture to the children of the author’s contacts in Silicon Valley, he keeps hearing about... Read more

Published 3 days ago by Kate Vane

Eye opening and insightful

Great for insight into the autism community and the minds of those with autism.

Published 7 days ago by TokyoEric

Vaccines Cause Autism

This is another attempt by the poorly-informed movement to normalize a brain disorder created by a corrupt medical system. Read more

Published 7 days ago by DDDS

Interesting look at the evolution of autism

Very interesting read about the history of autism and the need for increased acceptance of neurodiversity. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about autism.

Published 10 days ago by Andrew

Very pleased with this book

This book is a must read for anyone interested in Autism at all, especially if you have close relatives on the spectrum and also if you are involved with teaching these kids. Read more

Published 11 days ago by suzuku tekashei

Enlightening history and a glimpse of the future

Autism. Sometimes it seems like no one really knows what that word means. Even among medical professionals, that word has so much vagueness and leeway that it sometimes seems... Read more

Published 15 days ago by Paul Mastin

which books are sold and not sold

To date, I have purchased 14 copies of this book - 13 hardcover, 1 Kindle, and shared them with fellow parents of ASD kids, my son's teachers, therapists and various friends. Read more

Published 17 days ago by R. Ferguson

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