Can the World Afford Autistic Spectrum Disorder?

Nonverbal Communication, Asperger Syndrome and the Interbrain

Digby Tantam

Hardback: £18.99 / $29.95

2009, 234mm x 156mm / 9.25in x 6in, 256pp
ISBN: 978-1-84310-694-4, BIC 2: JM JMC VFJD

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The world affords to most of us a web of subliminal nonverbal communication that regulates our minds, indicates whether our beliefs have, or have not, social approval, and generally guides us. People with autism do not seem to be influenced by these subliminal signals as much as others, and this results in the difficulties in social interaction that are so characteristic of all the autistic spectrum disorders. How is such nonverbal communication carried out, and why do people on the autism spectrum find it so difficult? What are the consequences of this for them, and how do these consequences affect their personality, self-awareness, and sense of place in the world?

Digby Tantam explores current theories on nonverbal communication and how it shapes social behaviour, and the evidence for it being impaired in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). He shows how knowledge of this difference can be used to overcome some of the impairments in nonverbal communication in people with ASD, but also how acknowledging them can result in more positive development elsewhere.

This groundbreaking book will be fascinating reading for anyone interested in communication, as well as people who have ASD themselves, their families, and all professionals working with people on the autism spectrum.

Blog posts

JKP attends the NAS Professional Conference 2011

3 March 2011

This week, JKP attended the National Autistic Society (NAS) Professional Conference for the first time, and we are pleased to say that it was a resounding success! The theme, “Delivering excellence in times of austerity”, was poignant as the announcement of the new public sector budgets approaches, but the mood of the conference was definitely one of[... read more]

Digby Tantam asks Can the World Afford Autistic Spectrum Disorder?

15 March 2009

"...neurotypicals are linked together, or rather our brains are, by a kind of wireless network, which I call the interbrain. [...] People with autism do not tune in, or not so much--that's the main argument of the book. Their 'interbrain connection' is tenuous. They have 'low bandwidth'."

By the same author

Author information

• Digby Tantam

Subject areas

• Asperger Syndrome, Autism and other Syndromes

Collections

• Key Titles for Speech and Language Therapists
• Key Titles on Autism and Related Conditions for SENCOS

Keywords

• Asperger syndrome,
• autism,
• children,
• communication,
• occupational therapy,
• psychiatry,
• psychology,
• special education,
• speech and language pathology,
• speech and language therapy

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