And I agree with Temple in that we need to rethink our education system. I think the biggest challenge is creating networks and support groups for families that are at their wits end or don't know what resources are available. Just like families that choose to have children with Down's Syndrome.I know that knowing and loving them adds to anyone's life that are so blessed. :)Įxactly! That's where I believe we need to celebrate our differences. I haven't seen her Tedtalk - I'll have to look for it, now that I know it exists. My pattern-matching brain and ability to look at problems in a way that's completely different from the way my coworkers do is valued by the company I've worked for for over 17 years.Ĭhris wrote: 'Mtsnow13 wrote: 'I saw her on her Tedtalk, and she was very inspiring. All of it was through a pretty non-standard path, which I'm not sure would be an option today. I'm glad that I'm old enough (47) that I made it through the education system as a 'weird smart kid' instead of as someone with a disability, and that I learned I could take care of and support myself. That doesn't seem like 'wrong' or 'broken' thinking to me. And if researchers develop a 'cure' for autism, what will be lost? There's evidence suggesting that people such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo had high-functioning autism, as well as probably Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, etc. Just because people with autism think differently doesn't mean that our thinking is wrong. For me, the second part of the book ('Rethinking the Autistic Brain') was far more interesting and useful than the neurology/brain chemistry first part.

Very good nonfiction look at how thinking about autism has changed as our understanding of neurology and brain chemistry has increased.

The autistic brain book