TPP 091a: A Conversation With Steve Silberman About His Book “Neurotribes”

My guest this week is Steve Silberman, an award-winning science writer who authored the 2015 book NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity, a brilliant book that upends conventional thinking about autism and suggests a broader model for acceptance, understanding, and full participation in society for people who think differently. In our conversation, Steve and I talk about neurodivergence, autism, acceptance, tolerance, changing cultures, systemic change, and so much more. 
 Steve Silberman is an award-winning science writer whose articles have appeared in Wired, the New York Times, the New Yorker, the Financial Times, the Boston Globe, the MIT Technology Review, and more.and the author of NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity (Avery 2015), which Oliver Sacks called a “sweeping and penetrating history…presented with a rare sympathy and sensitivity.” In April 2016, Silberman gave the keynote speech at the United Nations for World Autism Awareness Day. He has given talks on the history of autism at Yale, Harvard, MIT, Oxford, the National Academy of Sciences, Queen Mary University, Apple, Microsoft, Google, the 92nd Street Y, Imperial College London, the MIND Institute at UC Davis, and many other major institutions. His TED talk, “The Forgotten History of Autism,” has been viewed more than a million times and translated into 25 languages.
 
Things you’ll learn from this episode

The impetus for Steve’s book NeuroTribes

How and why the anti-vaccine movement has negatively affected the autistic community

The real impact of language like “epidemic” in relation to neurodifferences like autism

How Steve’s book NeuroTribes has been received by members of the autistic community

Steve’s thoughts on how parents raising neurodiverse kids can best support the neurodiversity movement

The importance of autistic peer mentoring

 
Resources mentioned for Steve Silberman, autism, and neurodiversity

Steve Silberman’s website

NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman

Steve Silberman’s TED Talk

The Geek Syndrome (Steve’s article in Wired Magazine, 12/01/01)

Autreat

The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism

The Real Experts: Readings for Parents of Autistic Children

Support the show
Connect with Tilt Parenting

Visit Tilt Parenting

Take the free 7-Day Challenge

Read a chapter of Differently Wired

Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest this week is Steve Silberman, an award-winning science writer who authored the 2015 book NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity, a brilliant book that upends conventional thinking about autism and suggests a broader model for acceptance, understanding, and full participation in society for people who think differently. In our conversation, Steve and I talk about neurodivergence, autism, acceptance, tolerance, changing cultures, systemic change, and so much more. 

 Steve Silberman is an award-winning science writer whose articles have appeared in Wired, the New York Times, the New Yorker, the Financial Times, the Boston Globe, the MIT Technology Review, and more.and the author of NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity (Avery 2015), which Oliver Sacks called a “sweeping and penetrating history…presented with a rare sympathy and sensitivity.” In April 2016, Silberman gave the keynote speech at the United Nations for World Autism Awareness Day. He has given talks on the history of autism at Yale, Harvard, MIT, Oxford, the National Academy of Sciences, Queen Mary University, Apple, Microsoft, Google, the 92nd Street Y, Imperial College London, the MIND Institute at UC Davis, and many other major institutions. His TED talk, “The Forgotten History of Autism,” has been viewed more than a million times and translated into 25 languages.

Things you’ll learn from this episode

How and why the anti-vaccine movement has negatively affected the autistic community
The real impact of language like “epidemic” in relation to neurodifferences like autism
How Steve’s book NeuroTribes has been received by members of the autistic community
Steve’s thoughts on how parents raising neurodiverse kids can best support the neurodiversity movement
The importance of autistic peer mentoring

Resources mentioned for Steve Silberman, autism, and neurodiversity

NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman
Steve Silberman’s TED Talk

The Geek Syndrome (Steve’s article in Wired Magazine, 12/01/01)
Autreat
The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism
The Real Experts: Readings for Parents of Autistic Children

Support the show

Connect with Tilt Parenting

Visit Tilt Parenting
Take the free 7-Day Challenge

Read a chapter of Differently Wired

Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices