Autism and Us: Old as Time: A Social History of Autism

Autism
is old and unruly. It's been a part of us since we first left handprints on
cave walls 40,000 year--s ago. AUTISM AND US covers a long-stretch
view of its neurological history and how society has judged it. With
quotes from old medical records, folk-tale beliefs, and Victorian literature,
the book conjures up the 19^th century- mix of ignorance, cruelty,
fumbling knowledge, and surprising love that led to the first medical
recognition of autism as a social disorder. From that medically significant
recognition has grown our present day neurological and cognitive
understanding.

Eustacia
Cutler, autism expert and mother of Temple Grandin, delivers a colorful and
reliable account of the pioneers it has taken for autism to gain understanding
and acceptance in families, neighborhoods, schools and job markets.