Send in the Idiots: Stories from the Other Side of Autism

"Send in the Idiots: Stories from the Other Side of Autism" by Kamran Nazeer is a truly exceptional book. There have been many books written about autism by professionals and loved ones, but rarely do you find one published by a person who has actually experienced the condition.

As a young child in the early 1980's, Mr. Nazeer (born of Pakistani parents) was a boy diagnosed with autism and attending a (no longer existing) special school for autistic kids in New York. He grew up to go to college, live on his own in several different places around the world, and have a career as a U.K. Policy Adviser. He then became curious about his former classmates' lives and decided to get in touch with as many as possible. Several people declined to be included in the book, but the few that did agree give an amazing look into the minds and lives of autistic adults.

The author pays a visit to each of his studies' houses/apartments, stays in their homes for a few days, eats meals with them, and holds personal conversations with his old friends (and their caregivers). He first calls on an ex-classmate named Andre and his (non-autistic) sister, Amanda. Andre turns out to be a college-educated man working as a computer engineer. However, in order to keep himself focused while in social situations, he needs to use intricate (and home-made) puppets with different names and personalities. Mr. Nazeer quickly learns that while Andre is an intelligent man, he can become irritated at the smallest misstep; throwing tantrums and exhibiting childish behaviors. These problems also landed him a year in juvenile prison for assault. The author leaves Andre on a bit of a sour note, as he makes the mistake of interrupting one of Andre's puppets; which causes Andre to get upset, steal Mr. Nazeer's airplane boarding passes, and subsequently disappear in the airport. Fortunately, Andre has his sister to keep his behavior in check.

Next, he visits the lavish home of Randall and his homosexual lover, Mike. Randall is a city bike courier in what is considered a physically and emotionally loving relationship (however, problems arise as Mike is found to be unfaithful). Mr. Nazeer finds that Randall's lover is not viewing him realistically and seems to be taking on the role of martyr for being the partner of a person with special needs. The author finds that while Randall seems to be functioning relatively well, he is still missing subtle social cues; thus, being mocked and taken advantage of by acquaintances and colleagues.

It is at this point that the author visits an ex-classmate named Craig. Craig is a successful speechwriter, writing mainly for Democratic politicians. Mr. Nazeer seems to find a kinship with Craig, as they share similar political and educational interests. Craig lives on his own and appears to be rather "normal". The only oddities he exhibits are nervousness when conversing with others and a propensity to drum his legs and tap his feet inappropriately. Craig also seems to have some problems in his love life and keeping a steady speech-writing position. All-in-all, the author seemed to connect with this man more closely than the other interviewees. He also happens to be the person who created the title for the book-"Send in the Idiots"-a phrase he used to mysteriously repeat as a child.

Sadly, Mr. Nazeer's next interview is with the parents of a former classmate named Elizabeth who committed suicide a few years previously via taking pills then drowning herself in the family pool. Elizabeth had lived with her parents most of her life and was dependent on them. Though she was a gifted pianist and gave lessons, she still displayed more severe symptoms of autism into adulthood. The couple was loving and supportive of their daughter. They attempted to teach her (frustratingly so) how to take the city bus to the library on her own. Yet, she never achieved the type of successes as many of the other classmates. Talking to the author, Elizabeth's father asks him, "Why did you get better?"

Finally, Mr. Nazeer meets up with his former schoolteachers, which he now calls Ira and Rebecca. Though he feels nervous that he may be judged by his previous educators (wouldn't anyone?), he manages to look into their lives and learn what they have accomplished over the last 20 years. The author faces some realities about their experiences and rethinks his view of the women who taught him as a child. They proclaim him as "no longer autistic" (half-jokingly, half-not).

The author then looks back on his rendezvous. He speculates about his friends' lives and his own. Throughout the book, the reader gets a look into Mr. Nazeer's incredible educational and psychological intelligence. He is a driven man, determined to overcome the little quirks that still bother him at times (He carries a small banana clip in his pocket to play with when nervous-His version of a 'worry stone', I suppose.). The author comments on a range of emotional and mental states experienced by those on the autism spectrum and gives his opinions of various medical theories related to this condition. All of this is done in an amazingly thoughtful and poetic way. It is not a monotone account (as some may expect of an autistic person), but an engaging work of art!

"Send in the Idiots: Stories from the Other Side of Autism" by Kamran Nazeer (Hardback, ISBN: 1-58234-619-4) is listed at $23.95 and published by Bloomsbury. It is 230 pages long and can be found anywhere books are sold.