I love Edith Stein, but as a parent of a child with autism, I am naturally skeptical of any conclusions that might be drawn from studying historical texts in connection with autism as it is classified today. Even now, there is often inadequate language to accurately describe the social and developmental challenges of autism to those who don’t encounter it every day-e.g., it is very easy to conflate the diagnostic language with just being shy or quiet or sensitive. The poverty of such language was even greater back in Stein’s time, so very susceptible to modern projections. Descriptions of St. Therese of Lisieux as a child are even more colorful, but thankfully I haven’t seen anyone pathologize her beyond attributing her with a spirited personality. If only we could meet the saints in person in this world!