Pitney, John J., Jr.

The Politics of Autism: Navigating The Contested Spectrum Pitney, John J., Jr.

Marc Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index. Table of Contents: Preface Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: A Short History of Autism Chapter 3: Medicine, Science, and Math Chapter 4: Education Chapter 5: Before, Outside, and After the Classroom Chapter 6: The Future Appendix: A Timeline of Autism Policy and PoliticsReview Quotes: Among the hundreds of autism books now being published each year, this book stands out. It should be the starting point for anyone interested in knowing the dynamics of autism today: the science, the education initiatives, the policy responses. A must for any layperson or practitioner in the field.--Michael Bernick, former director of the California Employment Development Department and fellow at the Milken InstituteReview Quotes: Autism matters to everyone. Pitney leaves his reader understanding why this is true and why solutions have proven elusive. The Politics of Autism expertly maps the complex terrain of policy designed to address society s challenges attributed to autism and provides a solid foundation from which to move forward.--Dana Lee Baker, School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs, Washington State University"Biographical Note: John J. Pitney, Jr., is the Roy P. Crocker Professor of American Politics at Claremont McKenna College. He received his B. A. from Union College and his Ph. D. in political science at Yale. He is the author of The Art of Political Warfare and the coauthor of several books, including Epic Journey: The 2008 Elections and American Politics and After Hope and Change: The 2012 Elections and American Politics. In addition to his scholarly work, he has held staff positions in the U. S. Congress and the New York State Legislature. He has written articles for many publications, such as The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Christian Science Monitor, and Politico. He is a frequent commentator on politics and public policy for National Public Radio and American Public Radio. He maintains several blogs, including Autism Policy and Politics."Publisher Marketing: In the first book devoted exclusively to the contentious politics of autism, noted political scientist and public policy expert John J. Pitney, Jr., explains how autism has evolved into a heated political issue disputed by scientists, educators, social workers, and families. Nearly everything about autism is subject to debate and struggle, including its measurement and definition. Organizational attempts to deal with autism have resulted in not a single autism policy, but a vast array of policies at the federal, state, and local levels, which often leave people with autism and their families frustrated and confused. Americans with autism are citizens, friends, coworkers, sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers. No longer simply the objects of public policy, they are active participants in current policy debates. Pitney s fascinating look at how public policy is made and implemented offers networks of concerned parents, educators, and researchers a compass to navigate the current systems and hope for a path towards more regularized and effective policies for America s autism community."

Contributor Bio:  Pitney, John J, Jr. John J. Pitney, Jr., is the Roy P. Crocker Professor of American Politics at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. He received his B. A. in political science from Union College, where he was co-valedictorian. He earned his Ph. D. in political science at Yale, where he was a National Science Foundation Fellow. Dr. Pitney has been named as one of The Princeton Review's Top 300 College Professors for 2012. From 1978 to 1980, he worked in the New York State Senate and from 1983 to 1984, as a Congressional Fellow of the American Political Science Association, he worked for Senator Alfonse D'Amato of New York and the House Republican Policy Committee, chaired by Representative Dick Cheney of Wyoming. From 1984 to 1986, he was senior domestic policy analyst for the House Republican Research Committee. He joined the Claremont McKenna College faculty in 1986. From 1989 to 1991, during a leave of absence, he worked at the Research Department of the Republican National Committee, first as deputy director, then as acting director. He has written articles for THE WASHINGTON POST, THE WEEKLY STANDARD, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, and ROLL CALL, among others. His scholarly works include THE ART OF POLITICAL WARFARE, published in 2000 by the University of Oklahoma Press.