Biblio Files: talking about books

Through the Glass Wall
Journeys into the Closed-Off Worlds of the Autistic
by Howard ButenIn his preface, Buten tells us what this book is not- a how-to book, a survey, scientific dissertation, for or against autism, for parents or professionals, to help anyone, or a memoir. In fact, it's a little bit of each, but wouldn't be satisfyingly read as any of those. Case studies from his work with the institutionalized autistic are punctuated by didactic rumblings and personal musings. Buten comes off as essentially human in his musings and dealings with autism. He is honest about his chancy work, and his clinic is open to all philosphies. His style is a frustrated attempt at understanding something not even defined.
Happy reading.