During a recent visit to London, NCSA President Jill Escher had the opportunity to meet up with Tom Clements, the author of several books and commentaries about autism, and a strong advocate for families affected by severe autism. They discuss today’s overbroad definitions of autism, hiding heartbreaking realities even while striving for truth, and the urgent need to focus on the mounting adult autism crisis, among other topics.
Tom, left, and his brother Jack.
A gifted writer, Tom was diagnosed with Asperger’s in his childhood, and his older brother Jack has a severe form of autism. You can find some of Tom’s writings here:
What is autism? How the term became too broad to have meaning any more. He writes: “I am fluent in four languages and have been able to live abroad. My younger sibling, also diagnosed with autism, requires full-time care. It’s apparent that we have very different conditions.” In The Guardian.
The Autistic Buddha: My Unconventional Path to Enlightenment, on Amazon
The Autistic Brothers: Two Unconventional Paths to Adulthood, on Amazon
The conversation is 30 minutes long: