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https://theconversation.com/a-resounding-chorus-an-anthology-of-autistic-writers-celebrates-difference-252622>
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Review: Someone Like Me: an anthology of non-fiction by Autistic writers –
edited by Clem Bastow and Jo Case (UQP)
Traditionally, women and gender-diverse people were less likely to be
identified as Autistic because they didn’t fit the stereotype of how autism
“should” look. This generalisation was based on research conducted with mostly
young, white boys.
More women and gender-diverse individuals are now being identified as Autistic:
we have a better understanding of the many unique ways autism can present in
people. The anthology
Someone Like Me, edited by Clem Bastow and Jo Case,
contributes to this momentum, providing a platform for voices that have
historically been overlooked and misunderstood.
The book captures the intimate experiences of 25 Autistic women and
gender-diverse writers. The impact of incorrect, missed or delayed diagnoses is
threaded throughout, as are often-painful accounts of growing up in a world not
built for neurodivergent people.
Issues such as intersectionality, mental ill-health, trauma, bullying, and
alienation are explored in these contributions. There are also accounts of the
relief and contentment that come with a new (and often-empowering) chapter of
self-acceptance after identification.
Here the reader learns about the life-altering benefits of finding one’s
“Neurokin” (other Autistic people), and the very real difference that support,
self-acceptance and sensory accommodations (i.e. environmental tweaks such as
adjusting lights or noise) can make."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
