Book Review: The Science and Fiction of Autism

If you are a parent or lay person with an interest in autism and a scientific bent, this is the book for you. Dr. Schreibman has a pleasant and persuasive voice, and she makes it clear that science -- and not anecdotal evidence -- is at the root of her thinking. If, on the other hand, you're not a fan of behaviorism, or if you put any stock in anecdotal evidence or biomedical treatments for autism, you'll probably be tearing your hair by the end of Chapter Three ("What Causes Autism?").

Dr. Laura Schreibman is the Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California, San Diego. I interviewed her, and found her to be a compassionate, engaged clinician who seems to know and care about her patients. She also has a common-sense approach to treating children with autism, which comes across in her writing.

Her reasons for writing this particular book are clear: It is intended to present the reality behind the politics, passion and PR that have become the autism world. In fact, she does a great job of this -- and much of what she's written is refreshingly definite and clear. She also supports certain aspects of the parental advocacy movement, praising parents for their success in moving public schools to support, treat and include their children with autism.

If there is a "down"side to the book, it is that Dr. Schreibman is a behaviorist who believes strongly in the validity of behavioral approaches to autism treatment. As a result, her approval of certain developmental methods for treating autism are based on the fact that they're similar, in certain ways, to Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). Biomedical and alternative treatment approaches all receive a thumbs-down rating. Not surprisingly, there is no mention at all of the neurodiversity movement, which suggests that autism may not be so much a disability, rather a difference.

Overall, I recommend this book highly for those who agree in general with the writer's perspective -- but with the caveat that some readers may disagree strongly with Dr. Schreibman's point of view.