In this book, Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the world's most respected scholars writing about autism, offers the reader an unexpected and bold look at the characteristics of autistic people and their role in human civilization. Baron-Cohen explores how persistent experimentation with patterns and sequences, whether in music, art, mathematics, engineering, cooking, or observing ocean waves, led to new inventions and discoveries. Since our ancestors began to create the first tools, and until today’s digital revolution, we owe progress to “pattern seekers,” the author is convinced. However, for the carriers of autism genes themselves, their abilities often result in a variety of problems - from social to medical. By rethinking the approach to autism, the author encourages society to see it as a rare opportunity that should be valued and welcomed, respecting people who think differently from others.

Ratings and awards:

• The New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice

• One of Amazon.com's Best Science Books of 2020

• Barnes & Noble's Best Psychology Book of 2020

“The systematization mechanism was the result of a cognitive revolution in the human brain, which led to the fact that the species Homo sapiens separated from other animals and conquered the Earth. And it all started with a search for if-and-then patterns.

“Psychologists used to talk about “normal” children, and viewed other types of children as “not conforming to the norm,” as if there was only one type normal brain. The concept of neurodiversity is a completely new way of looking at the range of brain types because it recognizes that there is no one way for the brain to develop. I would call neurodiversity a revolutionary concept because it replaces the old idea of normality and abnormality with a radically new way of looking at the world: there are many varieties of brains, and they all arise naturally.”

Features

The book contains additional materials: the Systematization Quotient and Empathy Quotient tests to determine your brain type, as well as the Autism Spectrum Quotient test to determine autistic traits.