Becoming Autistic

In this provocative and informative book, Drs Rachael Sharman and Michael C. Nagel take the reader on a journey where nature and nurture intersect.

Becoming Autistic reflects the concerns of the authors and numerous neuroscientists around the world that environmental impacts, like too much screen time and the lack of socialisation, have neurological consequences on the developing brain. The consequences of developmental changes in young people due to screen use are increasingly being expressed as psychological and behavioural changes that very much resemble known disorders such as autism spectrum disorder.

This important book explores the pervasive impact of technology on the developing brains of young people. It raises questions regarding the trajectory of a generation that may be underdeveloped in aspects of interpersonal skills. Importantly, the authors offer practical ideas for ideas for correcting and changing the current course for many young people, so that subsequent generations can reshape the social norms and expectations of society and set new standards for a healthier outlook.

Auteur

Dr Rachael Sharman is a senior lecturer and researcher in psychology at the University of the Sunshine Coast, specialising inchild and adolescent development.Dr Sharman's research is focused on the optimal and healthy development of the paediatric brain and she has published over 30peer reviewed journal articles and two book chapters. Dr Sharman is a volume editor for The Encyclopedia of Child and AdolescentDevelopment and a special issue editor for the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.Dr Sharman is an enthusiastic and engaging public speaker with a weekly guest spot on ABC radio, and has had articles published invarious newspapers, Time magazine and on the The Conversation online. She has appeared as an expert guest on television includingon The Project and SBS Insight.