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  • Getting Through: The Language and Logics of Autism, and Other Difficult Communications

Getting Through: The Language and Logics of Autism, and Other Difficult Communications

  • October 15, 2026
  • November 19, 2026
  • 6 sessions
  • October 15, 2026, 10:00 AM 12:00 PM (CDT)
  • October 22, 2026, 10:00 AM 12:00 PM (CDT)
  • October 29, 2026, 10:00 AM 12:00 PM (CDT)
  • November 05, 2026, 10:00 AM 12:00 PM (CST)
  • November 12, 2026, 10:00 AM 12:00 PM (CST)
  • November 19, 2026, 10:00 AM 12:00 PM (CST)
  • Madison Senior Center
  • 14

Registration

Register

Coordinator: Douglas Maynard  

Email: dwmaynar@wisc.edu

Phone: 608-213-0126 

Registration: Required, Register Online

The purpose of this course is to explore the language and logics of autism, which are often very different from “commonsense” ways of communicating. The main issue is how to get into the “world” of an autistic person. The more general problem: how to relate to another person (autistic or not) whose world of experience seems foreign or alien.

I draw on my own experience as a father of an autistic son, my sociological research in autism clinics, and stories about autistic involvements from biographies, autobiographies, and the blogosphere. We will hear audio or view videos from these sources, and read non-technical autism papers or articles (one per week or so) that help us address the language-logic-other world issues. I aim for lots of questions and discussion. Class members who have family members “on the spectrum” are encouraged to share their experiences, as are others who may have work, neighborhood, or other relevant involvements and activities.

I view the “language and logic” problem as connected not just to autism but to a wide variety of everyday encounters in which there is a challenging communication issue because of someone’s differences.

Additional Information

Meeting Day: Thursday

Meeting Location: Madison Senior Center
Participation: Some reading and discussion expected
Class Size: 18


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608-572-6869

6209 Mineral Point Road #203
Madison, WI 53705








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