Autism as Context Blindness

by Peter Vermeulen

Dr. Vermeulen has produced a brilliant work that demands attention.  Autism as Context Blindness  provides a unique glance into the minds of individuals with autism. A Mom’s Choice Award winner,  Autism as Context Blindness  provides a unique glance into the minds of individuals with autism. It is simple but groundbreaking.  Application of Vermeulen’s insights will help autistic people to better understand what causes their challenges. While we have become increasingly familiar with the term autistic thinking, how the autistic brain works is still misunderstood. In this book, inspired by the ideas of Uta Frith, the internationally known psychologist and a pioneer in theory of mind as it relates to autism, Vermeulen explains in everyday terms how the autistic brain functions and highlights the impact of not using context spontaneously. Full of often humorous examples, the book examines context as it relates to perception, social interaction, communication and knowledge. The book concludes with a section on how to address contextual sensitivity—a skill vital for successful functioning. Due to the far-reaching consequences of context blindness, this book is a must-read for those living and working with somebody with autism. Dr. Vermeulen’s insights regarding context blindness deliver fresh perspective on how individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) perceive and respond to their environment.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction, Psychology, Disability

421 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR

Reviews

[Tweedledum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very useful book for anyone educating, parenting, befriending or living with someone with ASD. Having worked in the field of ASD for many years much of Vermeluen's comments and observations were familiar to me but the book really helped me personally to reflect on why high functioning people with ASDs continue struggle so much in social situations even though they may "know" what is expected and at times can speak and act in empathic ways.

Vermeulen argues strongly for a change to the way we set about teaching social skills and writing goals for these emphasising the need to build in flexibility of response as context changes. He recommends using much more role play for example. Vermeulen explains that we need to offer social support by explaining and clarifying context in much greater detail.

Vermeulen explains that in fact no concept or idea is fixed but continuously is adapted and modified in the neuro-typical brain by our experiences and our observations and by the context we are in. However in the autistic mind it seems that concepts form as rigid ideas. The idea itself may be in fact literal or non-literal but the person struggles to connect up ideas. Thus a child with ASD told to "pull their socks up" may learn that as a literal OR non-literal concept. They will however struggle to choose between meanings even if they know both meanings because they do not instinctively and subconsciously consider the context.

Vermeulen talks about how, in certain circumstances or professions context blindness may be an ADVANTAGE because the person is able to disregard all context and focus simply on analysis and the skills of people like Turing or Newton could be seen in this way. The context does not distract from their single-purposeful approach. However as soon as the person is in a social situation the inability to read context and respond in expected ways can become disabling.

[Katrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Voor wie autisme echt wil begrijpen…

[Jaap Bikker]

Zeer interessant

[Stephen Rowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting theory. The book being 12 or more years old, I don't know how well it has held up, though. But it's nice to come across a book on autism that isn't 1) strictly about children and 2) complete, offensive bullshit.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Vermeulen offers an absolutely brilliant and refreshing perspective on how autistic thinking is different from neurotypical thinking. He distilled immensely practical advice I use daily to connect better with the autistic people I love and coach. His work paves the way to embracing neurodiversity in our lives.

[li lululuu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful book for medical staff and non-first-year students, for others this book can be a little bit difficult.

[Patrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

i wanted to like this but it's just too slow and simple for me with explanations of absolutely everything.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has autism i dint know what context was until i read this book. Was hard to read becousse context is hard to understand for those who have autism. But did learn what one of my main problems in life is.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo good! Well worth the read, and a great resource for additional information on the connection between autism and reading/using context in socially expected ways....and all explained in an approachable and easy to read manner.

[Dana Bol-Koster · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ik vond dit erg droge kost. Ik was blij dat de laatste 30 bladzijdes bronnen waren en dat het achter de rug was. Dat zegt wel genoeg. Ik herken het geschetste beeld ook niet (helemaal) bij de volwassen mensen met ASS die ik ken. De voorbeelden die worden genoemd vind ik af en toe echt bizar