I Will Die on This Hill

Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World

By: Meghan Ashburn, Jules Edwards, Morénike Giwa Onaiwu - foreword, Nathan McConnell - illustrator

Narrated by: Meghan Ashburn, Jules Edwards, Jillian Nelson

Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

A call-to-action for anyone involved in the autism community - especially autistic people and non-autistic parents - to learn from one another and achieve more together.

There is a significant divide between autistic advocates and parents of autistic children. Parents may feel attacked for their lack of understanding, and autistic adults who offer insight and guidance are also met with hostility and rejection.

Meghan Ashburn, a mother of two autistic boys, and Jules Edwards, an autistic parent, were no strangers to this tension and had an adversarial relationship when they first met. Over time, the two resolved their differences and are now co-conspirators in the pursuit of disability justice.

This book unites both perspectives, exploring the rift between these communities and encouraging them to work towards a common goal. It provides context to dividing issues, and the authors use their experience to illustrate where they've messed up, where they've got things right, and what they've learned along the way.

©2023 Meghan Ashburn, Jules Edwards, Morénike Giwa Onaiwu (P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Please everyone read this.

I started crying as soon as I started the book. I felt so seen throughout this book.

I can’t stop thinking about how so many of the doctors, teachers, providers, specialists and professionals who work with neurodivergent / autistic people haven’t read or listened to those who are neurodivergent/ autistic. It breaks my heart.

I also appreciate the tips that were easy to read and understand and usable.

Of course this is a must read for everyone but especially a must read for anyone who loves, cares, teaches, provides, etc for an autistic person as a great starting point but also at any part of your journey. Also, I am AuADHD who is the caregiver of neurodivergent kiddos, and *I* really needed it.

Thank you again.

I *loved* the change in voices/people throughout the book. I really enjoyed listening, thank you again.

comforting, discomforting, and informative.

I am an ADHD parent with 2 autistic kids and this book was certainly a rollercoaster of emotions for me. if you have kids or not, if your neurotypical or neurodivergent it is a great book to read. I hope you choose to read it!

An amazing book!!

Must read for everyone. Especially if you're a parent of an autistic child but not necessarily. I think everyone can learn from this book about disability studies and inclusivity.

Go on, start listening

A must listen !!

This is such an important book! I can’t wait to recommend it to all the parents and other therapists I work with !

Great direction for a parent

I started with this book to help me learn for my child. it was informative and led me to a lot of other resources

What families need to hear.

Real, practical ways you can help your child for the rest of their live. I especially love the sections that talk about bridging the gap between autistic adults and parents of autistic children.

I also love that the book is read by the authors. It was great hearing how much this book means to them.

Such a great book!

I just finished this book with a great dedire to reaf it again. An eye-opening book about the autistic community.

I needed to hear this!

When my twins were diagnosed with autism at 2-years old, support was…lacking. Everything was doom and gloom, 40 hours of ABA, nothing good will come of this.

Not what I wanted or needed to hear. It took a few years to find folks who refused to see autism as purely negative. It took a little longer to find autistic adults who were open to answering my questions, and sharing their experiences. It truly makes a difference!

Listening to this was like a taking a weight off my shoulders- I’m not the only person who did these things, or thought like that, or made this mistake. If we listen to our gut, and find new resources, and learn and grow and never take ‘No’ for an answer, our kids will be ok.

I’m glad I waited for the audiobook on this one, it was cathartic, and moving, and just exactly what I needed.

Inclusive, uniting the neurodivergent community with

Fantastic stories of growth, self-reflection, and changing the narrative around what it means to be autistic and neurodivergent. I really enjoy the inclusion of so many members of the neurodivergent community from non-speaking to those who are not autistic, but wanting to change the tragedy narrative.

Thank you for challenging society, myself, and the communities we belong to,

The most encouraging and practical book on autism I’ve ever found

So useful to get both perspectives; of the parent AND the autistic adult. So many resources. Each chapter ends with them.