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Autism and Creativity

Is There a Link between Autism in Men and Exceptional Ability?

• By Michael Fitzgerald

• Price: $57.95 $52.16
• Binding: Hardback
• Pages: 304
• Published by: Routledge
• Publication Date: 20th November 2003
• Illustrations: 3 tables
• ISBN: 978-1-58391-213-3

About the Book

Autism and Creativity is a stimulating study of male creativity and autism, 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.
Chapters on the diagnosis and psychology of autism set the scene for a detailed examination of a number of important historical figures. For example:
* 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 Yeats reveals classical autistic features.

Autism and Creativity 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.

Reviews

'This is quite simply the best book I have read on autism in history. Fitzgerald is clearly an experienced clinician and his deep understanding of the spectrum of autism conditions comes across in his writings. But he is also an exceptional scholar.'
- Simon Baron-Cohen, Cambridge University

'a thought provoking and inspiring book.' - Joe Griffen, Human Givens Journal

Table of Contents

Introduction Diagnostic Issues Psychology of High-functioning Autism/Asperger's Syndrome Ludwig Wittgenstein Part 1: Psychobiography Part 2: Influence of Wittgenstein's Personality on his Philosophy Sir Keith Joseph Eamon de Valera William Butler Yeats Lewis Carroll Ramanujan Conclusion

About the Author(s)

Michael Fitzgerald is Henry Marsh Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Trinity College, Dublin. He is also a Clinical and Research Consultant for the Irish Society for Autism. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in England and Wales, and an Associate member of the British Psychoanalytical Society.