Discovering My Autism: Apologia Pro Vita Sua with Apologies to Cardinal Newman

by Edgar Schneider

In 1978, under immense pressure at work, Edgar Schneider suffered a nervous breakdown. After convalescing, he returned to work, but within a few months he was again suffering from problems involving short-term memory and concentration. He was described as eccentric, tangential, illogical and hallucinatory; and misdiagnosed as schizophrenic.

Sixteen years later, the chance reading of an article on autistic savants alerted Schneider to the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1853027243
• ISBN13: 9781853027246
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.53 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Quest For Treasure - A Real Find!

This is one of the best autobiographies in re the autism/Asperger's (a/A) spectrum I have ever read. Schneider, who is plainly a gifted man shatters the myth that people with autism are unable to think abstractly. A scholar in the humanities and in his own condition, Schneider draws upon a myriad of resources to support his findings. His background in mathematics and extensive knowledge and research of matters scientific is on a scholarly plane. Still, Schneider is very inclusive in his writings. He compliments his readers' intelligence by sharing his knowledge; at no time does he deviate from plain speech. Schneider discusses the paradoxical aspects of autism. One tired myth is that people with autism lack emotion. That is just not true. Autism is a sensori-neurobiological condition that affects sensory processing and communication to varying degrees. It is a chiefly sensory condition and for many people on the spectrum, emotions can be frightening and overwhelming. Many people compensate by displaying a "poker face" rather than give rise to the intensity of their own emotions and responses to stimuli. That is very common among the a/A population. Show me a person on the a/A spectrum who doesn't hate surprises and having to cope with having things sprung on them and I'll show you a bulldog that flies. For many people with autism, surprises can be very threatening and not knowing what the desired response to same is can make for some tricky social navigation. However, not all autistics have a limited display of emotion, just as not all autistics think in pictures. Broad generalizations can be very misleading, but I don't get the sense of that with this book. Autism IS a continuum - its spectrum partner, Asperger's Syndrome is also considered by some to be a form of high functioning autism (HFA). Whether or not Asperger's is HFA, the fact remains that Asperger's IS a form of autism and for any individual on the a/A spectrum, there will be overlapping behaviors and sensory reactions. Schneider probes into the neurotypical (NT) world with brilliance and logic. He is also very funny and many of his trenchant observations are quite witty. While some may find his risque humor offensive, it can be interpreted as being all in fun and not meant to be taken seriously. This is a book for everyone, especially people on the a/A spectrum. Many people with Asperger's, will feel a bond with Schneider. He is the voice of reason and explanation; he is the professor with the a/A curriculum. This book is moving; funny; serious; intense; gritty; strong and brilliant. Parts of it might even make you cry. Many parts are uproariously funny. It is a book that will be loved, treasured and savored. Readers will find themselves thinking about this book and author long after they have turned the last page.

Eye Opening!

As the parent of a teenage daughter with autism, I found this book to be invaluable in understanding how my daughter's mind works. Before reading this book I was puzzled by some of her behaviours and her reactions to certain situations. By describing his thought processes, Edgar made it much easier for me to understand and more importantly ACCEPT how and why my daughter does the things she does. This book is invaluable to anyone trying to unravel the autistic mind. Bless you Edgar!

An Important Book for Those With Autistic Loved Ones

I found this book interesting on several levels. It illustrated autism in a way that I as a non-autistic person could relate to and feel. I read the book at the suggestion of an autistic friend. Since that time, I have met several families with high-functioning autistic children. It not only let me see them in a different light than I would have had I not read the book, but the book was appreciated and helpful to the parents, as well.Schneider paints pictures with words and the range of feelings that I experienced while reading the book went from laughter to tears and back again. The book let me see that people with this diagnosis are not autistic people, but people with autism.

What a perspective!

Edgar Schneider's writing very convingly illustrates the fallacy of the common misperconception that high functioning individuals lack the ability to think abstractly. Drawing from his immense reservoir of knowledge of the humanities and his professional field of mathematics, Schneider draws parallels that few scholars could hope to match.One problem that I had as a reader was with the task of separating Schneider's own story and functioning from his generalizations and observations about autism across the larger affected population. For example, Schneider repeatedly explores his experience that he represents as largely devoid of emotion (although he does acknowledge a great deal of anxiety associated with uncertainty). Such an absence of affect is, however, far from a uniform characteristic among all autistic individuals. While most autistic individuals tend to be somewhat limited in their EXPRESSION of emotion, this is does not mean that--as appears to be the case with Schneider--it does not exist among a spectrum of others. Schneider does show a great deal of sympathy for Temple Grandin's idea that autism is reflected on a continuum. However, this point, although it is made abstractly, may not come through as strongly as one could have hoped.Schneider's insight into the "neurotypical" world is impressive, and he makes some some sharp points--albeit occasionally with some repetition. His language and sense of humor are also quite refreshing--especially his wise-cracks. For someone who supposedly thinks of women largely in the intellectual sense, he does come across as having at least a slightly dirty mind when he reflects on the only activity in which the performers get to rate their own performance. In as much as there are parts of the book to which even I--as someone with a very high functioning case of of Asperger's Syndrome--have difficulty relating, there are passages in the book where I could have cried. And I have to feel a certain kind of brotherhood with someone who shares my fondness for footnotes that frequently run several to the page!

I loved this book!

I would recommend it to anyone looking for an inside view written from a fresh perspective. Not only does Ed give an inside view but I learned many, many helpful things besides. If you liked Temple Grandin's books you will love this one!