AUTISM AND CREATIVITY: IS THERE A LINK BETWEEN AUSTISM IN MEN AND EXCEPTIONAL ABILITY?
Publisher: BRUNNER/ROUTLEDGE; Brunner-Routledge
Published: 2004
Place of publication: HOVE
Language: und
Number of pages: 294
Description: "Michael Fitzgerald presents his stimulating study of male creativity and autism (autism being far more common in males than females), arguing that a major genetic endowment is a prerequisite of genius, and that cultural and environmental factors are less significant than has often been claimed. He illuminates his argument with studies of historical figures who showed enormous capacity for creative activity, yet had immature personalities and deficits in empathy and social interaction skills." "Chapters on the diagnosis and psychology of autism set the scene for a detailed examination of a number of important historical figures. In the Indian mathematician, Ramanujan, the classic traits of Asperger's syndrome are shown to have coexisted with an extraordinary level of creativity. More unexpectedly, from the fields of philosophy, politics and literature, scrutiny of Ludwig Wittgenstein, Sir Keith Joseph, Eamon de Valera, Lewis Carroll and William Butler reveals classic autistic features." "Autism and Creativity broadens our understanding of high-functioning autism/Asperger's syndrome, and considerably widens the diagnoses. It will prove fascinating reading, not only for professionals and students in the field of autism and Asperger's syndrome, but for anyone wanting to know how individuals presenting autistic features have on many occasions changed the way we understand society."--BOOK JACKET.