The Autistic Self Advocacy Network mourns the passing of Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes and a longtime friend of ASAN and the neurodiversity movement.
In the writing of NeuroTribes, Steve brought to bear his formidable skills as a writer to tell the story of autism history in ways that few in the public had then been aware of. His book played a groundbreaking role in changing the public conversation on autism, elevating the concept of neurodiversity and the voices of autistic people into the mainstream. In writing NeuroTribes, Steve embedded himself in the autistic community, attending Autreat and other community gatherings as well as participating wholeheartedly in both online and offline autistic culture spaces.
He also traveled the world to understand the hidden history of autism over the years, uncovering crucial information on the early history of the diagnosis that had not previously been brought to light. In sharing these stories with his exceptional literary ability, Steve’s work educated the public about the autistic self-advocacy and neurodiversity movements and helped to empower ASAN’s advocacy work.
Though not autistic himself, Steve worked hard to bring autistic people into the conversation, contributing to our shared effort to build a world in which autistic people can enjoy full equality, inclusion and dignity. We are grateful to him for his years of work as a part of our movement and shared community.
Steve is survived by his husband and sister. ASAN extends our condolences to them and joins them in mourning this tremendous loss.