Autism: A Family Memoir

03/01/2026
60 min
[video_views]

Caroline Elton invites readers into the vivid, complicated world of her brother Lionel, whose long life as an autistic adult reveals both extraordinary gifts and daily challenges. She traces the small “town” of family, carers and advocates who supported him from childhood through his final years, and reflects on how housing, work, medical care and dignity are negotiated for those whose needs remain poorly understood.

About the speakers

Caroline Elton

Caroline Elton was born in north London, the youngest child after her sister Liz and their older brother, Lionel, who was autistic. Originally trained as a teacher, she changed career direction and for the past 25 years has worked as a psychologist who specialises in supporting medical students and doctors. The author of Also Human: […]

Toby Lichtig

Toby Lichtig is the Fiction and Politics Editor of the Times Literary Supplement. He writes for a range of publications and has appeared as a guest critic on various television and radio programmes. He also freelances as a documentary producer. Toby was chair of judges of the 2018 JQ/Wingate Prize and of the EBRD Literature Prize 2020-23.

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Autism: A Family Memoir

03/01/2026
|
60 min

Speaker

Caroline Elton

Caroline Elton was born in north London, the youngest child after her sister Liz and their older brother, Lionel, who was autistic. Originally trained...

Toby Lichtig

Toby Lichtig is the Fiction and Politics Editor of the Times Literary Supplement. He writes for a range of publications and has appeared as a...