Challenging existing approaches to autism that limit, and sometimes damage, the individuals who attract and receive the label, this book questions the lazy prejudices and assumptions that can surround autism as a diagnosis in the 21st Century.Arguing that autism can only be understood through examining 'it' as a socially or culturally produced phenomenon, the authors offer a critique of the medical model that has produced a perpetually marginalising approach to autism, and explain the contradictions and difficulties inherent in existing attitudes. They examine and dispute the scientific validity of diagnosis and 'treatment', asking whether autism actually exists at the biological level, and question the value of diagnosis in the lives of those labelled with autism. The book recognises that there are no easy answers but encourages engagement with these essential questions, and looks towards service provision and practice that moves beyond a reliance on all-encompassing labels.This unique contribution to the growing field of critical autism studies brings together authors from clinical psychiatry, clinical and community psychology, social sciences, disability studies, education and cultural studies, as well as those with personal experiences of autism. It is essential and challenging reading for anyone with a personal, professional or academic interest in 'autism'.

Introduction. Katherine Runswick-Cole, Rebecca Mallett and Sami Timimi. Part 1. What is autism? 1. Understanding this thing called autism. Katherine Runswick-Cole. 2. What have we learned from the science of autism? Sami Timimi and Brian McCabe. 3. Does everybody with autism have the same underlying condition? Richard Hassall. 4. The Biopolitics of autism in Brazil. Francisco Ortega, Rafaela Zorzanelli and Clarice Rios. Part 2. Deconstructing autism. 5. Life without autism: A cultural logic of violence. Anne McGuire. 6. The commodification of autism: What's at stake? Rebecca Mallett and Katherine Runswick-Cole. 7. How rude! Autism as a study in ability. Kim Davies. 8. Autism and the human. Dan Goodley. 9. Autism screening and diagnostic tools. Sami Timimi and Brian McCabe. Part 3. Changing practice. 10. Schools without labels. Nick Hodge. 11. Questions of treatment: Does a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder help us to help a person with Intellectual Disabilities? Graham Collins. 12. Critical Systemic Therapy: Autism stories and disabled people with learning difficulties. Mark Haydon Laurelut. 13. Critical autism and critical neuroscience: Towards a science of research and practice. Tom Billington. 14. Early diagnosis of autism: Is earlier always better? Ginny Russell. 15. Thinking systems: Mind as a relational activity. Gail Simon. 16. The ethics and consequences of making Autism Spectrum diagnosis. Saqib Latif. 17. Examining language and communication in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Tom Muskett.