A History of Autism - by Adam Feinstein (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This unique book is the first to fully explore the history of autism - from the first descriptions of autistic-type behaviour to the present day.

• Features in-depth discussions with leading professionals and pioneers to provide an unprecedented insight into the historical changes in the perception of autism and approaches to it
• Presents carefully chosen case studies and the latest findings in the field
• Includes evidence from many previously unpublished documents and illustrations
• Interviews with parents of autistic children acknowledge the important contribution they have made to a more profound understanding of this enigmatic condition

From the Back Cover

This book explores the history of autism from the first descriptions of autistic-type behavior to the present day. Through unprecedented interviews with many of the earliest pioneers in the field, and leading professionals working today across the world?including China, India, Russia and Latin America?A History of Autism casts fresh light on the way in which this disorder is, and has been, perceived and treated.

Meticulously researched, the book draws on evidence from previously unpublished documents, as well as the latest findings and case studies. In addition, interviews with parents of autistic children confirm the essential contribution they have made to a more profound understanding of this enigmatic condition.

Review Quotes

"Another fascinating book on autism. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject: those that have a person with autism in their family, professionals and academics, and anyone in general.... In my opinion, Feinstein has made a significant effort to be impartial, something that I am sure it has not been easy." (Iautism, 2011)

"This is a comprehensive history, charting thinking, practice and theories from the late 1930s to the present day.... Recommended - a much-needed addition to the autism library." (Communication Magazine, 1 April 2011)

"Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, professionals." (Choice, 1 April 2011)

"Feinstein offers one of the first truly comprehensive overviews of the history of autism research...culminating with a discussion of the projected future of autism research. He interviewed dozens of researchers and prominent autistic people in several countries, in addition to consulting numerous primary sources to compile this authoritative text. Feinstein traces the condition from before it was known as autism through the present day, and in so doing, methodically dissects both the parental blame hysteria that gripped the 1980s and the explosion of autism awareness and controversy in the twenty-first century." (Asperger's Association of New England Journal, Fall/Winter 2010)

"This is a much needed book on the history of autism. What sets this book apart from the others is the description of the hypotheses about the disorder back when Dr. Kanner and Dr. Asperger were first writing about their unique discoveries. It provides readers with a much needed understanding of the disorder from the past as well as the present." (Doody's, September 2010)

"This book is more than a collection of facts; it's also a detailed account of often-fierce controversy and professional rivalry.... Feinstein's book is a fascinating and indispensable record of the journey so far." (Special Children, 2010)

"In his History of Autism, Adam Feinstein has documented in an entertaining and yet exacting way, the evolving history of how our present-day ideas about autism reflect the personalities and interests of key individuals, who played critical roles in our understanding of this perplexing symptom complex. He has been to interview them, all over the world, and draws some fascinating responses to his questions. It is particularly pleasing that he managed to gather the material for his review before the most elderly among the pioneers passed away, as several have done within the past 2 or 3 years." (Brain: A Journal of Neurology, 2011)

About the Author

Adam Feinstein is the editor of two autism-related websites, AutismConnect (www.autismconnect.org.uk) and Awares (www.awares.org), both run by Autism Cymru, Wales's national charity for autism. He also runs the acclaimed annual Awares international online autism conference. He writes extensively on autism for a range of publications, including The Guardian, broadcasts for the BBC, and gives talks at conferences around the world. He is the founder and editor of Looking Up, the monthly international autism newsletter (www.lookingupautism.org), and has contributed to the UK Medical Research Council's Autism Review. His much praised biography of the Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda: A Passion for Life, was published in 2004. He has a son with autism.