But Everyone Feels This Way

How an Autism Diagnosis Saved My Life

By: Paige Layle

Narrated by: Paige Layle

Autism acceptance activist and TikTok influencer Paige Layle shares her deeply personal journey to diagnosis and living life autistically.

“For far too long, I was told I was just like everyone else. But knew it couldn’t be true. Living just seemed so much harder for me. This wasn’t okay. This wasn’t normal. This wasn’t functioning. And it certainly wasn’t fine.”

Paige Layle was normal. She lived in the countryside with her mom, dad, and brother Graham. She went to school, hung out with friends, and all the while everything seemed so much harder than it needed to be. A break in routine threw off the whole day. If her teacher couldn't answer “why” in class, she dissolved into tears, unable to articulate her own confusion or explain her lack of control.

But Paige was normal. She smiled in photos, picked her feet up when her mom needed to vacuum instead of fleeing the room, and earned high grades. She had friends and loved to perform in local theater productions. It wasn’t until a psychiatrist said she wasn’t doing okay, that anyone believed her.

In But Everyone Feels This Way, Paige Layle shares her story as an autistic woman diagnosed late. Armed with the phrase “Autism Spectrum Disorder” (ASD), Paige challenges stigmas, taboos, and stereotypes while learning how to live her authentic, autistic life.

Critic reviews

“Paige Layle’s book will be especially helpful to provide insight for women diagnosed with autism later in life.”—Dr. Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures and Visual Thinking

“Paige’s heartfelt and honest account illustrates why first-hand storytelling is important for diving into the deep minds of autistic people.”—Jory Fleming, author of How to Be Human: An Autistic Man’s Guide to Life

“We are in the middle of a moment of self-discovery and awakening for many Autistic adults, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. Paige Layle's But Everyone Feels this Way is an important contribution to this movement, and in its pages, I am certain many Autistics in search of understanding and a place within our growing community will see themselves.”—Dr. Devon Price, author of Unmasking Autism and Unlearning Shame

"I had a hard time putting this book down and the few times I did were to nod in agreement. Paige Layle writes vividly about those parts of being autistic that aren't in any psychiatry text. The constant discomfort, the tidal wave emotions that overwhelm you at any moment. Paige's book offers a fuller picture of what autism looks like and furthermore, how to build a more accepting world for autistic people." —Eric Garcia, author of We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation

“Paige writes with incredible insight, humor, and honesty about her autism and life. Her unique experience illustrates some universal truths and, as I read about her, I also learned about myself and my own autism. I am grateful for the gift of her voice."—Kim Rhodes

“Frank and perceptive, But Everyone Feels This Way is a welcome addition to the growing autistic literary canon. I’ve long believed that autistic voices—not a single face or voice, but as many of us sharing our stories as possible—play a key role in the acceptance and celebration of autistic people. I’m very glad that Paige’s voice is among them.”—Sarah Kurchak, author of I Overcame My Autism and All I Got Was This Lousy Anxiety Disorder

"But Everyone Feels This Way is a poignant, brave, soul-baring triumph! Whether neurotypical or divergent, Paige Layle’s story will make you laugh, cry, and think - but most importantly, it will give you a new lens for seeing yourself and others."
—Wendy Walker, bestselling author of American Girl

“Genuine and heartfelt, this book will appeal to Layle’s many followers on YouTube and TikTok as well as anyone seeking insight into what it means to live as a young woman navigating autism. A candid and instructive memoir about neurodivergence.”—Kirkus Reviews

Life changing and FINALLY SEEN😭🥹

I am not even finished with this book but I had to write a review. As a later diagnosed autistic young woman I feel so seen. I was diagnosed at that same age, age 15 as Paige was. I have never accepted it. It’s making me want to go back to DBT therapy and work through my issues. I am wanting to do advocacy now and even possibly get my degree in psychology. Her education through TikTok about how autism kids can get help to navigate their autism and how to navigate it as an adult. I was suicidal for majority of school and probably thought about it from a young age. This makes me want to face my childhood trauma and remember it again because I’ve blocked it out. There are things I’m ashamed of. But she has taught me not to be ashamed and to embrace it. I can truly relate to her experience and this is just the tip of the iceberg on my journey to truly healing my childhood trauma and navigating my autism. This book came at the right time as I had to leave college on medical leave postponing my first degree another year. As another ambitious person, I want to get 3 bachelors degrees. Plus masters and e phds. Sorry. In going on a tangent. She gives me hope. And I’m also an aspiring entrepreneur. This book is helpful to hear another’s experience. And when I get to it how to get through the autism.

Relatable

As a neurodivergent human this story of finding how to live as one was very relatable. It’s a hard life and figuring yourself out is so important. It definitely made me cry

Honest, unique perspective

I appreciated Paige’s willingness to share so honestly her experiences as well as her opinions about being autistic.

an awesome book!

an incredibly valuable book adding to awareness and advocacy for the ND community. this work will help save lives.

Honnest

I loved it very much.It is to the point, honest, informative, and sensitive. Thank you. Narration is great too.

Articulate and informative

The clear-eyed and self-reflective journey of a bright young woman fumbling her way through life as an autistic person undiagnosed until the age of 13. Candid and helpful for understanding the lived experience of an autistic person, especially the social isolation and existential torment of not feeling understood by anyone, not even one's closest family members.

wow. amazing!

this is my second favorite book i’ve read this year. parts made me laugh. parts made me cry. it was a wild ride. i’m going to gift this book (probably in paperback) to whoever I think could benefit from this information. this is one of those few audiobooks where i’d consider listening again and again. top notch job :)

Mostly great

This book is fantastic when she talks about her experiences. Absolutely riveting. During the times she's lecturing, it's tiresome. Fortunately, the vast majority of the memoir talks about her life. Excellent narration also.

A lot of "But Everyone Feels This Way" is heartbreaking. If you've gone through anything similar, you want to scoop up younger her and protect her. And I suppose, by proxy, protect your younger self the way you wish someone had.

This book is one of my personal favorites on ASD, absolutely a must read!

Oh Paige, thank you SO much for writing this book on your life, trauma, and journey as an autistic individual both prior and post diagnosis. I resonate with a lot of your story and it made me feel more understood and not so alone. This perspective is so needed in the ASD community and for those that are neurotypical as well. I wish you the very best!

Paige's vulnerability and honesty was appreciated

I really appreciated the opportunity to listen to Paige's lived experiences as an Autistic female. I also really appreciated her vulnerability and honesty! I would recommend this book to any individuals looking for resources on Autism Spectrum.