The Legacy of Hans Asperger

Almost everyone even vageuely aware of autism or neurodiversity in general has heard the term "Aspergers" banded about. But were they? 

This week, Simon delivers a short insight into the life and times of Hans Asperger. Is it as dark as some people believe or was he saving lives? 

Some of the many (many) resources used in preparation - and for further reading I can recommend:

• "Asperger's Children: The Origins of Autism in Nazi Vienna" By Edith Sheffer
• "Hans Asperger, National Socialism, and “race hygiene” in Nazi-era Vienna" by Herwig Czech
• " In a Different Key: The Story of Autism" by John Donvan and Caren Zucker
• "The aftermath of the Hans Asperger exposé" (BPS) by Rabbi David Ariel Sher
• "Non-complicit: Revisiting Hans Asperger’s Career in Nazi-era Vienna" by Dean Falk
• "Response to ‘Non-complicit: Revisiting Hans Asperger’s Career in Nazi-era Vienna’" by Herwig Czech
• "Did Hans Asperger actively assist the Nazi euthanasia program?" by Simon Baron-Cohen, Ami Klin, Steve Silberman and Joseph D. Buxbaum

We are aware of some controversy around the research into Asperger, indeed I include one of the louder critics in Dean Falk above, but in preparation for this episode I ran the notes and papers past four research scientists, a University Ph.D supervisor and our usual show expert colleagues.

We can have a debate about the rights and wrong of the methodology, the implicit ideologies and direction of thinking. I think the response by Silberman is interesting: updated his book and took part in a discussion with an autistic writer and campaigner (Maxfield Sparrow). https://thinkingautismguide.com/2018/04/on-hans-asperger-nazis-and-autism.html

This was a hard episode to do. Significant research, personal connections and delving through records of murdered children, the language of the era used about "disabled" people. I am sure some will be offended, some will be upset. I have tried to be as balanced as I can but I know it will never be right. As an autistic person this is as much my discussion as anyone else's and I think we should air on the side of what feels right and stop using that mans name. 

Talk instead of Lorna Wing or George Frankl. 

As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments.

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We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.