Unmasking Autism

Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity

De: Devon Price PhD

Narrado por: Devon Price PhD

A deep dive into the spectrum of Autistic experience and the phenomenon of masked Autism, giving individuals the tools to safely uncover their true selves while broadening society’s narrow understanding of neurodiversity

“A remarkable work that will stand at the forefront of the neurodiversity movement.”—Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP, author of Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism

For every visibly Autistic person you meet, there are countless “masked” Autistic people who pass as neurotypical. Masking is a common coping mechanism in which Autistic people hide their identifiably Autistic traits in order to fit in with societal norms, adopting a superficial personality at the expense of their mental health. This can include suppressing harmless stims, papering over communication challenges by presenting as unassuming and mild-mannered, and forcing themselves into situations that cause severe anxiety, all so they aren’t seen as needy or “odd.”
 
In Unmasking Autism, Dr. Devon Price shares his personal experience with masking and blends history, social science research, prescriptions, and personal profiles to tell a story of neurodivergence that has thus far been dominated by those on the outside looking in. For Dr. Price and many others, Autism is a deep source of uniqueness and beauty. Unfortunately, living in a neurotypical world means it can also be a source of incredible alienation and pain. Most masked Autistic individuals struggle for decades before discovering who they truly are. They are also more likely to be marginalized in terms of race, gender, sexual orientation, class, and other factors, which contributes to their suffering and invisibility. Dr. Price lays the groundwork for unmasking and offers exercises that encourage self-expression, including:

• Celebrating special interests
• Cultivating Autistic relationships
• Reframing Autistic stereotypes
• And rediscovering your values

It’s time to honor the needs, diversity, and unique strengths of Autistic people so that they no longer have to mask—and it’s time for greater public acceptance and accommodation of difference. In embracing neurodiversity, we can all reap the rewards of nonconformity and learn to live authentically, Autistic and neurotypical people alike.

*Includes a downloadable PDF of exercises, tables, lists, and a graph from the book

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Unmasking Autism is at once a most deeply personal and scholarly account of the damage caused by autistic (and all) people leading masked lives, and how unmasking is essential to creating a self-determined, authentic life. It provides a unique and revealing perspective on the sensory and social-cognitive experience of autism. It provides practical guidance and exercises for neurodivergent people to learn to be comfortable in their own skin and dramatically change their own lives, and it details the necessary changes that society needs to make to honor neurodiversity. This is a remarkable work that will stand at the forefront of the neurodiversity movement.”—Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP, Visiting Scholar, Brown University, author of Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism

“Reading this felt like being at home—I didn’t realize how much I masked. What an incredible book that I know will be re-read many times over.”—Dr. Camilla Pang, author of An Outsider’s Guide to Humans

“Price’s accessible and compassionate writing shines, and readers will feel encouraged to embrace a new understanding of themselves. Its potential to help masked autistic adults, especially those from systemically marginalized backgrounds, makes this book essential for most collections.”—Library Journal, starred review

Amazing

This book is the holy grail of got your diagnosis or looking for one and now what. The much needed book on Autism and masking

Necessary reading for everyone

If you are diagnosed autistic, think you could be autistic, or have autistic people in your life: Please read this. Dr. Price provides a concise summery of current knowledge and dialogue around autism and other forms of neurodivergence, before breaking down many of the ways that living as a autistic person interacts with our current society. Compassionate, honest, and very necessary.

A revelation!

I found this book at age 50 after being forced to leave a job or sign a document that characterized symptoms of my undiagnosed ASD (eye-rolling, interrupting, raised voice, etc.) during a high-pressure and challenging meeting as insubordinate and unprofessional behavior. I have never had anything but the kindest intentions toward any of my co-workers and it was traumatic to be accused of causing them harm by intolerant neurotypicals who I suspect just wanted to get rid of me despite a record of good work,
Dr. Price’s book clarified a lifetime of struggle and I am now pursuing official diagnosis with the hope of better advocating for myself and others. I hope that by learning more about what ASD is and how it manifests in so many undiagnosed adults that we can help society better accommodate disabilities in all facets of life.

Just wow… (In a great way!)

I cannot recommend this book enough to those in my life/influence. I’ve struggled for years with things I thought were just me being a bad human. Turns out, that’s not the case! The author is the narrator and the way they convey their story is almost as amazing at the content of the book. Soothing voice, influxes where needed, and you can really tell they had passion in this piece. 10/10 would recommend to neurodivergents AND neurotypicals.

highly relatable

i went into listening based on a recommendation from my therapist after questioning about autism. i didn't expect to relate to so many points and feel so validated.