Geeks, Genes, and the Evolution of Asperger Syndrome

Dean Falk is the Distinguished Research Professor of Anthropology and the Hale G. Smith Professor of Anthropology at Florida State University and a Senior Scholar at the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Among her earlier books are Finding Our Tongues: Mothers, Infants, and the Origins of Language and The Fossil Chronicles: How Two Controversial Discoveries Changed Our View of Human Evolution. Eve Penelope Schofield earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in creative writing and publishing from Bath Spa University in Bath, England.

This exciting interplay of an evolutionary perspective from a distinguished scientist and grandmother and an autobiographical perspective from her Aspie granddaughter contributes immensely to our understanding of Asperger syndrome as a valuable natural human variation.--Pier Jaarsma, Linkoeping University Falk's well-written summary of the past several years of scientific findings in brain research, cognition, and autism within the context of human evolution is accessible yet thorough, and Schofield's insightful personal reflections add a unique twist for the genre, making this an entertaining, educational, and thought-provoking read for scientists and general-interest audiences alike.--American Journal of Physical Anthropology In this wonderfully engaging book, Falk and Schofield lead the reader through the history of research on autism and Asperger syndrome with discussions of current thinking about these forms of brain functioning, debates about terminology, and links to brain evolution. The authors argue that, rather than seeing high-functioning autism and Asperger syndrome as neurological disorders, they are better perceived as illustrations of the high degree of variability in human brain function and as examples of neurodiversity. Each chapter begins with a scholarly examination of literature and research written by Falk, who is known for her work in paleoneurology, followed by personal reactions written by Schofield, who is herself an Aspie. This is an entertaining and educational book that should appeal to anyone who knows people with autism or Asperger syndrome and professionals from a variety of fields, including those who enjoy reading about science in general.--Wenda Trevathan, author of Ancient Bodies, Modern Lives: How Evolution Has Shaped Women's Health