Episode 320-Alien Savant-Remember When Autism Had No Name? A Conversation with Author Janet Elliott

Send us a text What happens when you uncover a hidden family history that reveals both heartbreak and resilience? Janet"s discovery of a banker"s box filled with her brother"s medical records sparked an unexpected journey into autism"s troubling past and ultimately led to her powerful memoir, "The Alien Savant." Born in the 1950s when autism wasn"t recognized as a diagnosis, Janet"s brother Michael was simply labeled "mentally retarded" like countless other neurodivergent children of his era. Through intimate family stories and Michael"s own remarkable artwork, Janet reconstructs a time when children displaying autistic behaviors were routinely institutionalized rather than supported. Her narrative takes us inside the walls of these facilities, where children with vastly different conditions received generic care rather than tailored education or development opportunities. What makes this story uniquely powerful is how Janet contrasts Michael"s experience with that of her twin grandchildren, both on the autism spectrum but receiving vastly different support in today"s world. The evolution from institutional care to individualized education plans represents decades of progress, yet Janet reminds us how recent these changes truly are. Michael"s primary mode of communication—detailed drawings that expressed his thoughts when words couldn"t—feature throughout the book, offering readers a direct window into his perspective and creativity. The Alien Savant serves multiple purposes: historical documentation of autism treatment, a loving family tribute, and a call for continued acceptance and understanding. Whether you"re personally connected to autism or simply interested in how society"s approach to neurodiversity has evolved, this memoir offers valuable insights through one family"s deeply personal journey. Find Janet"s book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo Chapters, or through her website at myguidedpen.com, and join the conversation about how far we"ve come and where we still need to go in supporting neurodivergent individuals. Support the show