I think the concept of using a cat’s attitude to life as an analogy of the differences between ‘normal’ people and people with autism has great potential.

As a cat lover I was expecting to really enjoy this book. I did enjoy it, but not particularly because I like cats.

I think the way the book is written the analogy would have applied to any anthropomorphically suitable species chosen.

The strength of the book is the way that it questions current theories and interpretations of autistic behaviour.

The author makes us challenge the assumption that anything that differs from the norm is inferior.

There is a long chapter on the ways that different sensory experiences create different perceptual worlds. She discusses how the senses of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) may differ from those of so-called ‘normal’ Homo Sapiens.