While autism was still an emerging concept, several important figures in the beginnings of the ham radio community, science fiction, and fandom as whole, were diagnosed as or suspected to be autistic.

Silberman alleges that while Asperger recognized children as being individuals with unique talents, Kanner portrayed them in a much more negative light.

Stories from those with a variety of symptoms and ages show other ways that autistic people have found enjoyable, healthy, and meaningful lives.

[10] By contrast, Lisa Conlan, reviewing the book for the British Journal of Psychiatry, criticized Silberman's retrospective diagnosis of historical figures and argued that his portrayal of neurodiversity is based in identity politics.

[12] In 2017, Paramount Pictures acquired the rights to NeuroTribes and announced interest in making the book into a movie with Broadway Video.