In a DIfferent Key

This book In a Different Key is HUGE.  This book clocks in at 552 pages of text which doesn't include the timeline, notes, or bibliography. I was a little daunted when I received it from the library.

I am interested in Autism because my son has  high functioning autism. My son was not diagnosed until age 14.

In a Different Key is written in a friendly approachable style so while large in size the reading is not terribly difficult.  The movement to understand Autism is largely because parents have pushed for more understanding, research, acceptance. 

What I learned:

Who to include in the spectrum has been complicated from the very beginning.  The definition and the criteria has changed numerous times.  Not all researchers agree on the diagnostic checklist.  So consequently some people have been included under one DSM to then been excluded under another version.

"Autism was, and would long remain, a diagnosis in the eye of the beholder." (In a Different Key)

Parents have been vital to autism being researched.  They were the first to form groups and fund raise for research in Autism.

Autism Speaks was founded by grandparents of an autistic child.  Critics of Autism Speaks has often cited that there are no Autistic people on their board.  Without a doubt Autism Speaks is the largest fundraising and information center on Autism.

I already knew but in case anyone out there is in the dark VACCINES DON'T CAUSE AUTISM!!!

I thought I knew a lot about the history of autism but I really learned a lot through this book.  This deepened my understanding of autism.  I think the quote sums things up nicely.

Indeed, the fact is that even with all the contentiousness attached to the word "autism," the momentum pushing all the argument has also, over time, pushed all the societies that have tried to deal with autism in the most commendable direction, which is toward ever greater recognition of the dignity of individuals who are different by virtue of fitting the label in some way. It is this interpretation of autism that has that having autism-being autistic- represents but one more wrinkle in the fabric of humanity, and that no one among us is living a life "unwrinkled." (In a Different Key)

The errors - revelations- in 2 major books about Autism - Interesting perspective on the two newly released books on Autism - In a Different Key and NeuroTribes.  I haven't had a chance to read NeuroTribes.

In a Different Key Traces History and Politics of Autism (NPR)

I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit

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