Description

Autism spectrum disorder represents one of the greatest scientific, clinical, and societal challenges of the twenty-first century. Its remarkable heterogeneity requires moving beyond the fragmented approaches that have traditionally separated genetics, neuroscience, psychology, education, and the behavioral sciences. This book provides an integrative and up-to-date perspective, bringing together the most significant advances from these disciplines to understand autism through a transdisciplinary, evidence-based, and person-centered approach. Across its seven chapters, the book examines the evolution of the neurodiversity paradigm, the neurobiological mechanisms of development, genetics, pharmacogenetics, biomarkers, neuroinflammation, brain connectivity, the gut–brain microbiota axis, metabolism, nutrition, psychopharmacology, and emerging technologies applied to assessment and intervention. It also explores motor impairments, social cognition, empathy, friendship, functional communication, and support strategies that promote autonomy, quality of life, and the social participation of autistic individuals. Rather than presenting a simple compilation of information, this work builds bridges between basic research and clinical practice, between medicine and education, and between scientific evidence and the everyday experiences of autistic individuals and their families. The result is a contemporary reference that integrates the latest knowledge with an ethical and humanistic perspective, providing an essential resource for researchers, healthcare professionals, educators, therapists, university students, and policymakers committed to fostering a deeper, more inclusive, and scientifically grounded understanding of autism.

Suggested citation (APA, seventh edition)

García-Cruz, R., & Ortiz-Nieto, F. (Eds.). (2026). When the World Feels Different: New Perspectives on Autism, Neurodiversity, and Human Transformation. Sophia Editions.