ABOUT THE BOOK

A new book on the history of autism worldwide is currently being researched and developed by Adam Feinstein. It was commissioned by The Shirley Foundation and is to be published by Wiley-Blackwell in 2009.

The Book

Adam Feinstein’s book will be the first full-scale work to explore the history of autism. Meticulously researched, fully referenced and indexed but also extremely readable, the book will discuss the changes in perception and approaches to the condition. Feinstein will examine how various authorities succumbed to, and finally demolished, the old psychogenic myth of autism – although, as he makes clear, this still lingers on in some parts of the world – and will pursue the path which has taken us from the psychoanalytical to the biological viewpoint. Feinstein has interviewed many of the leading world professionals in the field - including Professor Christopher Gillberg, Dr Lorna Wing, Dr Margaret Bauman, Dr Thomas Kemper and Professor Pat Howlin - and also intends to interview the key surviving researchers and practitioners from the mid-20th century. Their views will shed invaluable new light on the evolution of concepts of autism. Feinstein has already spoken in-depth to Dr Leon Eisenberg, the closest colleague of the man thought by many to have coined the term “autism” in the sense that we understand it today, Leo Kanner. Feinstein will have access to previously unpublished documents around the world (he reads seven languages). He has also talked to some of the world’s best-known individuals with autism, including Temple Grandin, Donna Williams and Wendy Lawson. In addition, he will put the current trends in autism research in their historical context. The book will make judicious use of many enlightening case studies, introduce new findings and include previously unused illustrations.

The website will allow us to keep you in touch with the development of the book.

You can also e-mail the author, Adam Feinstein, on adam.m.feinstein@gmail.com

General information about the project can be obtained from John Carrington (jcc@carringtoncom.com), who is acting as project manager on behalf of the Shirley Foundation.