Pythiism: Reframing Autism as an Alternative Form of Consciousness is the first new major theory of autism since 1944. It asserts that autism is based, not in the brain, but in the psyche: where mind interfaces with matter - a seismic shift in focus from empirical to intuitive observation. This theory re-examines not only the established major symptoms of autism, but also includes rarely or never covered areas of autism research: a psycho-evolutionary perspective, the existential emotions, and psychic phenomena and spirituality. Crucially, this work solves the anomalies of autism that scientific reductionism is unable to reach. It opens a conversation with academics, mental health professionals and, most importantly, people on the autism spectrum, presenting not only an equally valid point of reference for understanding themselves, but also a better one, revealing an alternative form of human consciousness hidden in plain sight.
