Politics of Autism

The Politics of Autism explores new viewpoints on old issues, such as whether there is more autism, what is wrong with how it gets diagnosed, and whether standard treatments are appropriate. It also examines the fear of vaccines and the allocation of autism research dollars. The book takes on the politics of autism by exposing the sub rosa truths that are often impolitic or too sensitive to discuss, using data to explore contrarian views on autism epidemiology, service provision, education, and research. Each chapter focuses on controversies and how they came to be, providing a narrative of false alarms, false cures, soft-as-quicksand science, and other snake oil that has heralded the surfacing of some aspect of the world of autism into public consciousness. The author, Dr. Bryna Siegel, has worked in the autism field for 40 years and her work focuses on the development and learning of children with autism. She analyzes autism as the confluence of expected and atypical development to understand autism-specific learning disabilities and learning styles. The book concludes with recommendations for social policy changes to address disparities in access to diagnosis, education, and support for families living with autism.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 352 pages
\n Publication date: 13 December 2018
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
\n

The groundbreaking diagnostic criteria for autism (Autistic Disorder) were published by the American Psychiatric Association in 1994. Since then, the reported numbers of people with autism have increased significantly, from one in every 2,000 children to one in every 50, a 75% rise in just the last decade. This surge has brought about significant interest from various stakeholders, including basic researchers, therapists, and educators, as well as the media, which often promotes sensationalized reports linking autism to vaccines or claims of miraculous cures through intensive 1:1 behavior modification programs.

The need for a level playing field has become increasingly urgent in this context. The Politics of Autism explores new perspectives on old issues, such as whether there is a greater prevalence of autism, whether the current diagnostic methods are adequate, whether standard treatments are appropriate for individuals with autism throughout their lives, the persistence of vaccine fear, the effectiveness of allocating autism research dollars, and the societal implications of this modern fascination with autism.

This book takes on the politics of autism by exposing the often impolitic or sensitive truths that are often overlooked. All the information presented in this book is drawn from data, providing readers with an objective and evidence-based exploration of the controversies surrounding autism. Each chapter is divided into specific topics, addressing different aspects of autism epidemiology, service provision, education, and research.

Readers can approach the chapters as a sequence or choose to read them individually, depending on their interests and needs. Each chapter will provide a comprehensive overview of the controversies, exploring the underlying issues, data, and social policy recommendations for change. By shining a light into these arenas, the book aims to foster understanding, promote dialogue, and drive positive change in the field of autism.

\n Weight: 648g\n
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 26 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780199360994\n \n