April Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month! Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability that affects 1 in 100 people in the world. It is characterized by issues with socialization and communication, repetitive behaviors and interests. To celebrate Autistic people and their caregivers, we have gathered a list of books and resources we can use to educate ourselves and understand the Autistic community and its unique members.
Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity is written by social psychologist and author Dr. Devon Price. He provides a deep explanation of common Autistic behaviors and demystifies the phenomenon known as masking. He explains that for every visibly Autistic person, there are many more masking their Autistic traits to appear as neurotypical in a world that often ridicules and stereotypes Autistic people. Dr. Price shares his own personal experience with masking and unmasking and lays out the steps he took in his unmasking journey and invites readers to do the same. He shares exercises made to break down masking behaviors and invite in self-expression and authenticity. Dr. Price calls on readers to live in their truth and imagine a world that better understands autistic needs to make the exhausting behavior of masking unnecessary.
Women and girls on the autism spectrum: understanding life experiences from early childhood to old age Sarah Hendrickx writes about the significant differences being female makes to the Autism diagnosis, life, and experiences. The latest research is combined with personal stories from girls and women on the autism spectrum to show their feelings, thoughts, and experiences at each stage of their lives. Discussing the impact for autistic women and girls throughout their lifespan, Hendrickx explores everything from diagnosis, childhood, education, adolescence, friendships, and sexuality, to employment, pregnancy, parenting, and aging. The second edition provides up-to-date content on masking, late diagnosis, and a focus on trans and non-binary voices. It also dives deep into specific health and well-being comorbidities such as menopause, PCOS, Hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos, autistic burnout, and alexithymia. This is an excellent guide for both professionals and for women with autism to better understand the female autistic experience.
Sensory: Life on the Spectrum is a graphic novel anthology edited by Bex Ollerton. The graphic novel includes 53 colorful and eclectic comics exploring experiences of people living on the Autism Spectrum. 30 autistic creators come together to share their stories of living in a world that can struggle to understand or accept them. From life pre-diagnosis to practical tips on how to explain autism to someone who isn’t autistic and suggestions on how to self-soothe when you are feeling overstimulated, this anthology has something to learn for everyone.
College success for students on the autism spectrum: a neurodiversity perspective by S. Jay Kuder is a practical guide to navigating college life for students on the autism spectrum. The authors discuss key tips for navigating issues such as transitioning from college to career readiness and finding support services. This guide is helpful for students, faculty, and staff to better understand how college life can impact people on the spectrum as well as how they can best cope with their changing landscape.
Check out these books and more in the Oxford College Library or online with Overdrive.
Below, we will share some resources you can browse to learn more about Autism and Autism Advocacy efforts:
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Autistic Women and Non-binary Network