L'autismo. Spiegazione di un enigma

by Uta Frith

The first edition of Autism: Explaining the Enigma quickly became a classic because it provided the first satisfactory psychological account of what happens in the mind of a person with autism. The book proposed that the key problems were an inability to recognize and think about thoughts (theory of mind), and an inability to integrate pieces of information into coherent wholes (central coherence). It suggested that from this beginning, problems of communication, social interaction, and flexibility follow as the complex interactions of human development unfold.This updated edition reports on how this explanation has stood the test of time. A new chapter outlines developments in neuropsychological research that have taken place since the book was first published and reviews the growing body of work on the neurological basis of autism. The accessible style and structure of the original edition have been retained, with information and references updated throughout.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Psychology, Nonfiction, Science, Medical, Neuroscience, Education

255 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 1989

About the author

Uta Frith, DBE (Hon), FRS, FBA, FMedSci (née Aurnhammer) is a German developmental psychologist working at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London. She has pioneered much of the current research in autism and dyslexia, and has written several books on these issues.

Her book Autism: Explaining the Enigma provides an introduction to the cognitive neuroscience of autism. Among the students she has mentored are Tony Attwood, Margaret Snowling, Simon Baron-Cohen, and Francesca Happé.

Reviews

[Maia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bought old edition cheap. Diagnosed at 43 with severe autism, of which have the usual vague background knowledge (Rain Man, children rocking in corners, Emergence: Labelled Autistic (good autobiography, worth reading on its own merits)). Having been told 'by definition, if you have autism you can't understand what it is so it's not worth explaining' and, peeved, looking for more. This is essentially a whodunnit looking for the String Theory or Universal Explanation of autism. Autistic individuals in history; current myths; genetic explanations? no, it's not them; longitudinal trials? they give us a clue; etc. On page 90 of 180 pages it's beginning to get down to business. Written for the non-scientific, it uses the lengthy prose of fiction and the lengthy arguments of persuasion, not the terse assertions and brief jargon of science, which would be hard but quick. But who would be that ignorant of the topic yet interested enough to hear one model explaining it in that detail? Parents? But no practical advice and use of "tragic mental retardation" on page one - no. In fact, there is one group who may find this useful: undergraduate students in psychology or linguistics thinking of a final year project/thesis. You can get good detailed information from the e-magazine articles you pdf download, but as i discovered to my cost, remain ignorant of important background detail. The second half of this could fill you in roughly and give you ideas, and it might be on the shelf. Note, this is a review of the earliest edition (the modern-er will certainly have more PC language, and more up to date science). I am currently reading Francesca Happe's more up to date book with more up to date science, better discussion of rival views, and written very fast-to-read. A brief tiny book for parents of children with, by a Vermeulen, in the library, actually told me a lot, if only in scraps, and amusingly; actually worth reading even for adults with. So, don't bother.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Following the recommendation in An Anthropologist on Mars by Oliver Sacks I bought this book to gain a more detailed and scientific understanding of autism. Though I have no contrasting evidence, this book seems to hold up well since it's original publication in 1989 and my copy dating to 1994. It is a measured, interesting and readable bit of work which works from typical autistic presentation and aims to draw together the many disparate features of autism underneath one theoretical developmental defect. Quite a mouthful, but then so much of this type of writing is! That said, overall this book was well written and did not confuse or deliberately favour jargon or medicalisation.

The final theory expounded in 'Autism' is that the disorder is developmental and is most simply expressed, cognitively, as a problem in developing a theory of mind. Theory of mind is the idea that I as a person have one mind and other people surrounding me have different minds, with different aims and different information to act from. The way it is presented makes it convincing that this is something that those with nuclear autism struggle with, even when they are not comorbidly mentally retarded (as very many autistic people are). There is a fascinating analysis of language in autistic people and it contrasts with analysis of normal language and communication. Analysing why autistic people communicate in an unusual way made me reflect on how we normally communicate, and that was very interesting. There is such a huge divide between the plain information of the words we say and what we intend to communicate that I am only now appreciating.

Overall this was an enjoyable, interesting and educating read. I have only given it a moderate review because I am skeptical of how well it has held up into the present day, as so often scientific findings are overturned by later findings. This notwithstanding this is a good book in its own right and I recommend it.

[Bjarkan Älg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Este libro me ha hecho sentir como un experimento. Me ha revuelto muchísimo leerlo, lo he percibido irrespetuoso hacia las personas que formamos parte del Espectro Autista.

Sé que tiene muchísimo trabajo de investigación detrás y es de mucho valor, pero este libro no me representa y a la comunidad de mujeres autistas que conozco tampoco.

No lo recomiendo en absoluto para comprender de manera real y empática el autismo.

[Elisa Origine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Breve libro introduttivo sull'autismo scritto da un'autrice tedesca considerata tra i pionieri delle ricerche nel campo, presenza costante nei libri di psicologia dello sviluppo.
Il #libro in sé è molto informativo e l'autrice è riuscita molto bene a tradurre in termini semplici, anche con metafore, i concetti in uno stile scorrevole e chiaro.
In questo senso #consiglio il libro a tutte le persone non esperte che intendono avere un'infarinatura sulla questione. #utafrith in un passaggio del libro fa esplicito riferimento agli attivisti, dicendo che questo libro non è per chi vede l'autismo come differenze nel cervello e rifiuta che sia un deficit o un disturbo, ma io personalmente lo consiglierei anche a loro: non piacerà di certo, ma serve a capire qual è il "gold standard" dei testi di #psicologia e medicina, che è molto lontano da ciò che gira in rete... Che piaccia o no, i professionisti partono da questo genere di testi, quindi consiglio a caregiver o persone autistiche, prima di accusare psicologi, medici, insegnanti o educatori di "non essere formati o aggiornati", di verificare "qual è lo stato dell'arte" che no, non è come lo raccontano i reel degli influencer!
Tuttavia non condivido lo stile espressivo. Durante la lettura pensavo "Mi ricorda qualcuno..." E i sospetti erano fondati. Su Wikipedia è riportato che si è ispirata a lavori di Eysenck... Infatti è cafona quanto lui!
Non è un libro obsoleto nel contenuto, ma lo è nella mentalità... Sembra di essere allo zoo! C'è un "noi" e "loro dentro la gabbia". È davvero ironico: pagine e pagine per sottolineare deficit comunicativi delle persone autistiche e poi a mancare di quella capacità sembra essere proprio lei! In questo senso può risultare offensivo e lo sconsiglio a caregiver o persone autistiche che potrebbero risentirsi.

[Kalina Wojciechowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rzeczywiście, ta książka podaje najbardziej wiarygodne, podparte badaniami teorie wyjaśniające istotę autyzmu. Odwołania do eksperymentów unaoczniają, na czym polegają anomalie w rozwoju mózgu atypowego.

Autorka przedstawiła umiejętność mentalizowania, czyli zaburzoną u autystyków zdolność wyobrażania sobie stanów umysłowych innych ludzi, wraz z możliwymi przyczynami neurologicznymi. Podobnie z innymi właściwościami mózgu, takimi jak koherencja centralna i lokalna, czyli pojmowanie ogółu lub zwracanie uwagi wpierw na szczegóły, charakterystyczne dla osób autystycznych.

Również wysoka wrażliwość na bodźce zmysłowe zostały pokazane jako skutek pewnych właściwości w przetwarzaniu neuronalnym.

Podstawa diagnozowania autyzmu, czyli triada zaburzeń, została rozebrana na części, wytłumaczona odpowiednimi badaniami, a następnie autorka podejmuje próbę znalezienia łączących je zależności organicznych. To jest, tajemnicy autyzmu, która do dziś pozostaje niepoznana.

[Lukerik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly interesting book that ranges from biography to philosophy in its search for questions. I doubt anyone could read this without disagreeing with something. I'm not sure her theories about the engines that drive the brain are correct. Neither am I convinced that autism is a dysfunction. But this is not a book of answers but of questions and it invites you to ask them. The most interesting part for me was the section on autistic types from history. It added a number of books to Mount Tabor.

[An Te · Rating 3 out of 5]

An evident seminal book outlining the early theoretical and empirical theories behind autism as we conceptualise it today. Read it to have the discussion opened. Necessary for any one influenced or interested in this. Unfortunately, I came across this later in my reading, thus the lower star ratings. Very readable mind you.

[Saray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creo que este libro se haya quedado en cierta medida algo anticuado, comparado con las actualizaciones que hay ahora mismo.
Aún así me parece un libro muy interesante principalmente por las experiencias en primera persona de TEAs, aunque también es verdad que ciertos capítulos son demasiado científicos y si no tienes los conocimientos se puede hacer un poco complicado llegar a entenderlos.

[Sarah Steinbrenner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Packed with information, but super readable. Enjoyed every chapter. Wish there was an updated edition since the author used language that isn’t accepted today. Lack of people-first wording.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on Autism I've read. Helps with understanding the history and research as well as information that can be used in practical application with individuals in your life.

[Miranda Manzione · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple reading for those who want to know more about Autism.

[Phil Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful synopsis

[Leonora Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. The author breaks down the myths and it's a great guide for anyone who wants to explore and understand neurodiversity.

[Tijne · Rating 5 out of 5]

clear explanations, a good in-depth introduction into autism, though a bit outdated

[DrReshma Purohit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autism spectrum disorder, refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences. Uta Frith takes the research and condenses it into an organized manner thereby letting the reader understand it in a simpler, systemized, organized and easier manner. The book is a very good resource book for the psychology students and inclusive educators as it is both scientific with personal touch keeping the reader engaged throughout. Everything is backed up with scientific research. It discusses how autistic children lack theory of mind, or the ability to guess what other people are thinking, and back it up with an interesting experiment that compared reactions between 'normal' children and autistic children.

The book explains autism in interesting and ‘reader hooked-up’ way and certain sections are quite engaging. Quite good description of the handicaps with ‘theory of mind’ and ‘weak central coherence’. It discusses the key problems for autistic people who has an inability to recognize and think about thoughts, and an inability to integrate pieces of information into coherent wholes; also outlines neuropsychological research on autism.

Autism is much more common than most people think. Autistic people may wonder why they are 'different' and feel their social differences mean people don't understand them. Autistic people often do not 'look' disabled.

Uta Frith has done justice in explaining the enigma of the parents and the children of autism.

[drTee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a first-read for me in graduate school studying clinical psychology. There was so much research on the market, in the papers, and in journal articles on autism spectrum disorders and the origin of autism. Uta Frith takes the research and condenses it into an organized gestalt (or whole) and helps the reader to conceptualize autism in a more organized and systematic way. The book is stimulating for students (undergraduate and graduate psychology and biology) and parents or grandparents of children with autism spectrum disorders. The book is both scientific and personal and it is also quite engaging. I recommend this book to parents and grandparents especially.

[swalterich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Discusses how autism is a true disability, though not necessarily in terms of IQ. Everything is backed up with scientific research. For example it discusses how autistic children lack theory of mind, or the ability to guess what other people are thinking, and back it up with an interesting experiment that compared reactions between 'normal' children, Down syndrome children (who came to the same conclusions), and autistic children. Informative read that tells exactly how autistic people think and see the world differently.

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book super interesting. It takes a look at the enigmas of Autism from historical/literary figures throughout history to what is being found by modern brain scanning. Uta Frith goes over some of the more interesting theories and tests. If one theory doesn't excite you, skip ahead to the next one. If Autism makes you curious, this is a great book!

[Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alas, I only had enough time to get halfway through the book before I left Austin, but I loved what I read. Frith discusses autism in interesting, accessible terms, and the section about possible historic cases of autism was quite engaging.

[Jonas Gehrlein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit short but comperehensive overview over autism.
Quite good description of the handicaps with Theory of Mind and weak central coherence.
It focuses maybe a bit to much on cases but absolutely recommendable for anyone who wants to know more about the disorder,

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provided information on autism in the past and present, such as suggesting that "changelings" of the past might have been children with certain disorders. It was one of the books used in a class I took on autism spectrum disorders.

[Támara]

Very good book for families and parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. Very simple, direct, and understandable. Nothing "scientific" or intimidating about this book.

[Hadesdump · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chiarissimo e utilissimo, molto facile da leggere. Un must per chi è interessato all'argomento.

[Clivemichael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of the subject

[Ryō Nagafuji · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good resource for research into autism, especially with its links and contrasts with mental disorders.

[Olga Lalín · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente, indispensable para saber más sobre autismo.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

She gets it

[Andrea Cota]

Textbook