Geeks, Genes, and the Evolution of Asperger Syndrome

by Dean Falk, Eve Penelope Schofield

In this unusual book an evolutionary anthropologist and her coauthor/granddaughter, who has Asperger syndrome, examine the emergence and spread of Asperger syndrome and other forms of high-functioning autism. The authors speak to readers with autism, parents, teachers, clinicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, other health-care providers, autism researchers, evolutionary biologists, geneticists, paleoanthropologists, and people who simply enjoy reading about science.

Using the latest findings regarding brain evolution and the neurological, genetic, and cognitive underpinnings of autistic individuals at the high end of the spectrum, Falk theorizes that many characteristics associated with Asperger syndrome are by-products of the evolution of advanced mental processing. She explores the origins of autism, whether it is currently evolving, how it differs in males and females, and whether it is a global phenomenon. Additionally, Eve Schofield, who was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome as a child, provides firsthand accounts of what it is like to grow up as an "Aspie."

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder

264 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2018

Reviews

[Ietrio · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was interesting, but not interesting enough to overcome the dry style. Yet I enjoyed very much the pages written by Eve. I think the book might have been so much better written about Eve's experiences and let about the scholastic text.

[Stephen Rowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

3½

[Wm. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author knows her science well though some disconnect with writing style and reader involvement. Don’t feel personal interest story added much to discussion or backed evidence-based practice. Enjoy other Aspies’ story but wonder why author strayed from objectivity and fact into personal anecdotes and observer bias. Maybe Eve gets her own bio soon?

[Douglas Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was wavering between 3 and 4 but ultimately, I think while this book offers a lot of insightful information, it does read a tad bit too dry. The only non-dry parts were the commentary sections by the granddaughter, but even then, the commentary seemed a bit disjointed and not related to the information that I had read.

The book also is a bit too academic for the casual reader, though to be fair, it is published by a University press. If you're into neuroscience and microbiology, then this might be your kinda thing, but not a lot of ELI5 stuff going on here.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an aspie woman, and scholar of cultural, evolutionary, and psychological anthropology, I found this book to be anything but “dry,” in contrast to some of the other reviews posted. This is the book I’ve been searching for, and I hope to be one of those continuing this vein of research in my career.