The Politics of Autism: Navigating The Contested Spectrum

by John J. Pitney Jr.

In the first book devoted exclusively to the contentious politics of autism, noted political scientist and public policy expert John J. Pitney, Jr., explains how autism has evolved into a heated political issue disputed by scientists, educators, social workers, and families. Nearly everything about autism is subject to debate and struggle, including its measurement and definition. Organizational attempts to deal with autism have resulted in not a single “autism policy,” but a vast array of policies at the federal, state, and local levels, which often leave people with autism and their families frustrated and confused. Americans with autism are citizens, friends, coworkers, sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers. No longer simply the objects of public policy, they are active participants in current policy debates. Pitney’s fascinating look at how public policy is made and implemented offers networks of concerned parents, educators, and researchers a compass to navigate the current systems and hope for a path towards more regularized and effective policies for America’s autism community.

Genres: Sociology, Psychology, Research, Autistic Spectrum Disorder

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 6, 2015

About the author

John J. Pitney Jr. is Roy P. Crocker Professor of American Politics at Claremont McKenna College.

Reviews

[Bird · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pitney seems really focused on saying, "hey, maybe we should listen to autistic people," while simultaneously using absurd constructions like "autism parents" - as in neurotypical parents of autistic people, harping on policy considerations for abusive practices like ABA, and allowing Autism Speaks to run rampant through his pages with approval.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

As one with autism, and who dabbles in writting on the subject of autism, I'm going to direct you to my Medium review of it....

https://sethunderwood56.medium.com/a-...

[Billy Frey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an informational book, but its style is lacking. Reads like a well-researched paper.