The Metamorphosis of Autism: A History of Child Development in Britain: 2 (Social Histories of Medicine)

The introduction chapter alone shows the wide scope and depth Evans has put into this and the impact can't be underestimated. It is incredible and as a young aspiring historian I can only drool in delight at the sources she provides and what she has gotten.I believe Evans is among the first historians to focus on Autism and Britian specifically and shed a light on what made Britian so different when it came to establishing their own research, groups (like SAS now NAS) and general pyschological and period attitudes as she covers Autism throughout the 20th Century and how Britian and Autism evolved during the subsequent decades.Every page is well thought out and argured and matches with the title perfectly and it can't be underestimated the foundations Evans has laid out for future historians when discussing Autism in Britian as not many have before. I will admit it is long and content heavy but it only shows the labour of love that Evans has put into this book and beyond. Much appreciated and incredibly helpful. Will reccomend.

This book is excellent, it tells the history of autism in a very scholarly way, and all of it is very well referenced. In particular, it shows how autism has a much longer history than most assume, preceding Leo Kanner’s work. It also describes changes in the 1960s-80s in a lot of detail, explaining how these were influenced by many factors beyond psychiatry and psychology. It also explains how all this has led to contemporary understandings of autism. Highly recommended.

An important contribution to research into the history of Autism, the changes in its meaning and its place - or exclusion - in theories of the social development of children.

Ms Evans book is a fascinating, widely and well researched book which contextualises current approaches to, and views of autism, within the history of child development studies and current views on neuro diversity.

Excellent book, thoroughly researched giving an important account of the history of autism in Britain.

Interesting read into the rise in autism over the twentieth century - increased my insight and understanding of the people I work with.

I liked the way the book put some of the studies into a clear historical context whilst fusing the impact of current diagnoses

This book offers a great deal of well researched detail about the history of Autism. A welcome contribution to the field.