Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity Hardcover – April 5, 2022

I bought this book after my best friend got diagnosed with autism. It completely changed the way I understand Autism and neurodiversity. It’s not just a guide; it’s a deep dive into the experiences of individuals who have often been overlooked or misunderstood.Pros:-Offers a fresh, inclusive perspective on Autism that feels empowering and hopeful.-Highlights the concept of “masking” in a way that’s easy to relate to, whether you’re neurodivergent yourself or want to support someone who is.-Filled with real-life stories that are both moving and eye-opening.-Perfect balance of science, history, and personal experiences—super informative but never boring!-Encourages self-acceptance and celebrates the strengths of neurodivergent individuals.Cons:-Some parts might feel a little heavy or academic for casual readers, but it’s worth sticking with it for the insights.Final Thoughts:This book isn’t just for those on the spectrum—it’s for anyone who wants to better understand the beauty and complexity of neurodiversity. It’s eye-opening, and compassionate, and left me with a whole new appreciation for the unique ways people experience the world. Highly recommend to anyone looking to learn, grow, or just feel more connected to others.

So there I was, meeting with the autism specialist. This specialist, who I’d never met before, concluded within about 10 minutes of meeting me that I was on the autism spectrum, but he had me do a bunch of tests to be sure.At one point, he checked on me during the testing because I was taking forever. I told him I felt the questions were too vague and gave him an example: “Do you prefer the museum or the theater?” And I said to the doc, “Well, which museum is it? And is this a movie theater? If it’s a movie theater, what movies are playing? Is the museum full of dumb stuff I don’t care about or is it cool? How can I possibly make an accurate decision without this information??” And he laughed—and I laughed, because I knew it was funny that I kept getting hung up on this stuff. But also, apparently, needing details about a thing is a very HFASD thing to do.Every single test showed that I have high-functioning autism.Right before the end of our session, he told me to read this book. “It’ll change your life,” he said.He was not wrong. This book has changed my life. And that doctor, overall, has helped save my life.So, this book is a doctorate-of-psychology-autism-specialist recommended book. If you want to understand autism—truly understand it, not just what angry-moms-who-hate-their-kids, years of cruel bias perpetuated by organizations and scientists, and TV tell you about it, this is a really good place to start.That second picture shows all the dog-eared pages I put in this book, marking passages that meant a lot to me. That means this is a well loved book I plan to read again.Autism is simply another way of thinking, seeing, and processing the world. Folks who are considered “high functioning” on the spectrum are likely wildly under diagnosed, and hiding—or “masking”—trying to live in a world that is not very kind to them (speaking from experience, but Dr. Price also goes over this in great detail in the book). In this book, you learn that the autistic brain is physically different from the neurotypical brain, and how that happens, and what that means. Dr. Price gives advice on how to create an environment around yourself as an autistic person—which is also helpful to those who love someone who is autistic—that is better suited to what your brain needs, and gives advice on how to remove the mask and let go of neurotypical expectations.Wow. Seriously, I cannot rave about this book enough. When I finished it, I actually bought two more copies just to give away to people… honestly, I’m trying to make as many people read it as possible.It took me a while to finish it because I had to keep taking breaks, because it hit a lot of my trauma. I cried a few times. When you’re a neurodivergent person trying to live in a neurotypical world, that world will try its best to beat you into a box. To be honest, I learned years ago I would never fit into any box, and started “unmasking.” But this book was still so very empowering to me. It shows just how broad the spectrum is, and how important it is to our mental health that we take care of ourselves, embrace what we need to be at peace, and just let ourselves *be*.

"Unmasking Autism" extends beyond the confines of a mere book; it resonates deeply with my personal journey, weaving a narrative of familiarity and profound self-discovery. The term "Autism" has been a lingering source of apprehension in my life, especially as I recognized echoes of my own experiences reflected in the stories of others. The pivotal point in my quest for self-acceptance came in March 2023, focusing initially on acknowledging my ADD diagnosis from 1990—a facet of my identity I had rarely discussed.Diving into ADD literature revealed a captivating parallel, drawing connections between ADD and autistic brains. This revelation served as a catalyst, igniting a year-long exploration into the intricate world of autism. What commenced as a personal endeavor evolved into a collective journey, with my immersion in literature becoming a shared experience, offering insights to those grappling with similar questions.In the course of this exploration, a trans friend recommended "Unmasking Autism," recognizing its potential to illuminate shared experiences. The book surpassed the confines of its pages, transforming into a reflective mirror that captured the nuanced contours of my own narrative. Despite life's challenges, the joy and enlightenment found within the book emerged as guiding forces, shaping my ongoing pursuit of authenticity.Navigating the terrain of special interests presents its own challenges. While many autistic individuals find their passions in objects or subjects, my most profound special interest has always been people. This led to a lifetime of attempting to blend in, striving to avoid standing out and seeking acceptance. I've learned that autistic individuals with this unique special interest often go unnoticed, appearing "normal" to the outside world, making it challenging for others to fathom the intricacies of our minds.One of the most painful moments of my past year occurred when my therapist of 8 years dismissed the idea of autism, insisting, "I don't see that in you. Nothing you have shared makes me think you are autistic. You need to stop self-diagnosing." To my dismay, my therapist, with whom I had shared my innermost thoughts for nearly a decade, did not believe in neurodivergence. Dismissing my experiences, she chuckled, attributing ADHD diagnoses in the 80s to all boys. This experience spurred me on a quest to find a therapist who understands the autistic brain, a journey that, unfortunately, remains unfulfilled. "Unmasking Autism" stands as a pivotal chapter in my journey of self-discovery. Compelled to share its profound insights, I gifted copies to significant figures in my life—my mother and lawyer—in an earnest attempt to foster understanding.Devon's work transcends the constraints of a conventional book; it serves as a companion, guiding through the intricate landscape of life with a unique perspective. With heartfelt gratitude, I commend Devon for crafting an insightful and relatable exploration of the autistic experience, providing individuals like me with a roadmap to embrace their authentic selves.This truly is one of the most profound books I have ever read. Thank you! Also, I highly recommend the audiobook which is read by the author. It makes the story come alive and feels even more personal.

As the parent of an autistic transgender young adult woman, I found in this book great information that helped me understand what my daughter has been growing through... and it gave me some hope about her future.However, I was a bit thrown off by chapter 8 that I found to be too political... Although, I understand change has to be made to improve the life of disabled people, it was not the literature I was going after when I purchased the book...