Book review: Scholars with Autism
by Patricia
I learn a lot about autism from people who have autism. My job provides me with lots of opportunities to talk with individuals living with autism, and I seek out written work about autism too.
Eight scholars with autism have recently collaborated to publish an autobiographical anthology called Scholars with Autism: Achieving Dreams. Each author has achieved significant academic success, and their stories honestly portray their challenges while demonstrating that individuals with autism do succeed in life.
I was especially moved by an essay Valerie Paradiz wrote called Deep Thinking on Baseball and Autism. Throughout my career I have regularly described the strong interests of individuals with autism as “special interests.” Dr. Paradiz’s essay (comparing the prejudices experienced by black baseball players in the 1950’s with her own experiences living on the spectrum) challenges my use of the word “special”:
Special needs. Special education. Special interests. I’m a writer, so when certain words or turns of phrase don’t ring true to me, I pay close attention, and I try to figure out why they make me uncomfortable. ‘Special’ reminds me a lot of the word ‘Negro’ and how its usage came into question during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
Dr. Paradiz goes on in detail to provide insight on how the use of the term special is indeed discriminatory. Dr. Paradiz uses terms such as “deep and focused” interest to describe her current areas of study. I will strive to adjust my language to do the same.
The other essays in Scholars with Autism provide additional wisdom and perspective. All of the authors share their personal strategies in navigating the social world and compensating for their social challenges. Social success is imperative for success in life. The professional success of these authors demonstrates that social acumen can be acquired. Dr. Paradiz and her co-authors provide a great resource in this anthology, and individuals with autism continue to provide me with great insight into being a better autism professional.