The Prodigy's Cousin

Sep 21, 2024 5:41 PM

Author:Joanne Ruthsatz,Kimberly Stephens

'[AN] IMPORTANT BOOK' TEMPLE GRANDIN

Over the course of her career, psychologist Joanne Ruthsatz has assembled the largest-ever research sample of child prodigies. Their accomplishments are epic. One could reproduce radio tunes by ear on a toy guitar at two years old. Another was a thirteen-year-old cooking sensation. And what Ruthsatz’s investigation revealed is nothing short of astonishing. Though the prodigies aren’t autistic, many have autistic family members. Each prodigy has an extraordinary memory and a keen eye for detail—well-known but often-overlooked strengths associated with autism.

Ruthsatz proposes a startling possibility: might the abilities of child prodigies stem from a genetic link with autism? And could prodigies - children who have many of the strengths of autism but few of the challenges - be the key to a long-awaited autism breakthrough?

This inspiring book about extraordinary children, indomitable parents and a researcher's unorthodox hunch is essential reading for anyone interested in the brain and human potential.

Reviews

This important book shows that autism and innate talent are linked.

—— Temple Grandin

A refreshing counterpoint to the many books that focus on disability in children.

—— John Elder Robison

[A] scientific page-turner...Ruthsatz and Stephens may have written the Rosetta stone of talent development.

—— David Feldman

An important, groundbreaking book about why we're addicted to technology, how we got here, and what we should do next

—— ARIANNA HUFFINGTON, author of THRIVE

There could be no better guide than Adam Alter to a technological landscape that’s increasingly designed to turn us into addicts. Your sanity will thank you for reading it

—— OLIVER BURKEMAN, author of THE ANTIDOTE

Irresistible digs down into exactly how technology has us hooked by tapping into our deepest needs and desires … brims with insightful studies

—— The Times

A book which lives up to its title ... chock-full of stories, characters galore, and statistics to make you gasp. It's very entertaining

—— New Scientist

Fascinating ... compelling ... Irresistible makes some vital points

—— Daily Telegraph

Illuminating … fascinating

—— Gavin Francis , Observer

Alarming … a growing body of research [is] deftly outlined in this book

—— Sunday Times

No one who has ever seen an advertisement, checked their email on a smartphone, or used the Internet will come away quite the same

—— DAVID EPSTEIN, author of THE SPORTS GENE

In this smart, sharply-argued book, Adam Alter lays out the evidence for a hidden danger in our lives: behavioural addiction. A fascinating read that will leave you enlightened — and alarmed

—— DANIEL PINK, author of DRIVE

Mixing the latest in behavioral science with briskly engaging storytelling, Adam Alter wakes us to an age-old problem that has found troubling new expression

—— TOM VANDERBILT, author of TRAFFIC

Fascinating, salutary.

—— Daily Telegraph

It brims with insightful studies and explains arcane concepts with great clarity. Alter is not afraid to brand the gods of Silicon Valley hypocrites and pushers who are keenly aware that their products wreck lives.

—— Janice Turner , The Times

Fascinating

—— Monica Costa , London Mums

It can't fail to entertain, inform and ultimately dazzle

—— Heston Blumenthal, chef and owner of The Fat Duck, on The Perfect Meal

This is a book to open the eyes and broaden the mind.

—— World of Cruising

As always, Solomon gets into the far corners of things, including people’s minds… He’s also very sharp on South Africa, China, Libya, Romania, and Brexit Britain, among others. He’s an expert on turmoil.

—— William Leith , Evening Standard

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