Abstract

In her 2006 book The Jumbled Jigsaw, Donna Williams, an autistic author and poet, presents an example of a list of traits associated with autism—one of many such lists commonly found in text books, academic publications, and information leaflets. Her list includes the following: a tendency to stick to well-tried routines and avoid change, a tendency to have a narrow range of interests, a tendency to develop irrational fears and anxieties, a tendency not to develop a sense of danger, a tendency to demonstrate bizarre behaviors and mannerisms, a tendency to copy speech parrot fashion, and isolated areas of ability. "The problem with such a list," Williams explains, "is that the features of each of these areas can be...