Music and Autism Speaking for Ourselves

With Mara Chasar, Graeme Gibson, Elizabeth J. Grace, Zena Hamelson, Dotan Nitzberg, Gordon Peterson, Maureen Pytlik, Donald Rindale, Amy Sequenzia, and Addison Silar.

In Music and Autism: Speaking for Ourselves, renowned ethnomusicologist Michael Bakan engages in deep conversations-some spanning the course of years-with ten unique and fascinating individuals who share two basic things in common: an autism spectrum diagnosis and a life in which music is central. The result is a profound yet accessible exploration of how people make and experience music, and of why it matters to them that they do, one whose rich tapestry of words, images, and musical sounds speaks to both the extraordinary diversity of autistic experience and the common humanity we all share.

• A powerful statement on behalf of neurodiversity and autistic self-advocacy
• Gives direct voice to autistic people rather than considering them an object of study or discussion
• Overturns many assumptions about autism spectrum conditions and the people who "have" them
• A fresh, new approach to understanding music and all to which it leads, grounded in autistic points of view
• Features a Companion Website where readers can enter the inner worlds of autistic musicians not just through their words, but through their musical artistry as well

Table of Contents

Figures

Companion Website Contents

Acknowledgements

Prologue: Autumn, 2003

1. Introduction
2. Zena Hamelson
3. Mara Chasar
4. Donald Rindale
5. Elizabeth J. "Ibby" Grace
6. Dotan Nitzberg
7. Graeme Gibson
8. Maureen Pytlik
9. Gordon Peterson
10. Amy Sequenzia
11. Addison Silar
12. Conclusion: "Living with Autism Shouldn't Be Hard"

References Cited

Additional Reading

"Speaking for Ourselves is a significant contribution to the literature on autism, social science, and neuroscience as well as on music. For the most part it is free of jargon, and the conversations are relatable in a way rarely found in works emanating from academic presses. A companion website offers music and video (and a few photos) that strengthen the discussion with aural/visual examples of things discussed in the text. Those with an interest in autism, music, or just life experience in general will find this an enlightening resource."
- CHOICE

"Speaking for Ourselves is a true collaboration between Michael Bakan and his autistic interlocutors, who journey together into the heart of what making and experiencing music feels like for people who are wired differently. Reading it will enhance your understanding of not just autism, but creativity itself."
- Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity

"Michael Bakan's work has always been inspired - open, dynamic, warm -hearted, and keenly intelligent. This is a delightfully human read - deftly illuminating the differences in autistic thinking while simultaneously underscoring how much our deep shared experiences as human beings provide bridging webs of feeling and wonder. His humility and respect are real models of ways we can work together toward understanding one another - beyond labels...as people."
- Dawn Prince-Hughes, primatologist and anthropologist, best selling author of Songs of the Gorilla Nation: My Journey through Autism

"This is ground breaking research that could lead to real improvements in the lives of people with autism."
- Derryck Smith, MD, FRCPC, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia