Understanding Autism

Understanding Autism: Discover the many ways autistic minds work Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Understanding Autism book cover

This newsstand magazine (it’s vaguely book-shaped, so it’s a BOOK and so this is a valid BOOK REVIEW) was solidly a 2/5 at the beginning. I felt obliged to give it a 3/5 by the end. It’s still a 2/5 in my heart.

[One-month-later update: Nope, frick that. If 21 Things is getting a 2/5, this is getting a 2/5 too. 3/5 means “I liked it” and I did not “like” it, so 2/5 it is. (I haven’t even started writing the review for 21 Things yet)]

Why am I reading this? I don’t think I’m autistic, but I thought I could benefit from some of the strategies. (The outdoors can be scary for a girl of the internet, and I have had intense and specific interests for as long as I can remember.) As you can see on the cover, it’s supposed to include “methods to minimize feeling overwhelmed” as well as “tools & advice.”

FIRST OFF: Autism Speaks. Literally on Page 0, above the tiny font disclaimer, it lists Autism Speaks as one of the three charities “ready to support” you “if you, or anyone you know, is affected by autism.” Lovely. (that was sarcasm.)

Some of the articles are formulaic. Maintaining relationships First paragraph: Maintaining relationships can be hard! Second paragraph: Maintaining relationships can be especially hard for autistic people! Third: But let’s not generalize, because it’s not hard for ALL autistic people. It would be unfair and ableist to conclude that.

While it’s important to note that every autistic person is unique

While it’s important to remember that not every autistic person masks

However, because autism is such a broad spectrum, not all autistic people need routines in the same way

ok ChatGPT. Fourth: And anyway, if autistic people did have relationship struggles, it’s not because they’re worse at relationships. It can be a good thing, actually, sometimes-but-not-always, and you can accommodate them by…..

Here are the bits I found useful:

  1. Designate more space in your schedule for transition times, because they are when routine disruptions are likely to happen.
  2. Mentally practice common scenarios, for example chatting to a cashier in a supermarket, before you do them. “Do you have a Points Reward card with us?” “No thank you.”
  3. Don’t be afraid to ask for things. For example, “a desk where [you] can’t see the photocopying machine.”
  4. break annoying tasks into small steps, yes, but also include checkboxes for a sense of pride and accomplishment.
  5. Keep a sensory journal of things that affect you, for reflection purposes

I feel apprehensive about posting this review. It’s insanely hard to write about autism without offending someone. Especially if you’re not diagnosed (or self-diagnosed, depending on the circle). Wow look, I’m hedging just like the magazine. Give me a 2/5 too.

Some of my more controversial thoughts:

Explaining you’re happy to do things […] but you need someone to break down what that entails step by step, means you develop a new skill, and the task gets done, which benefits everyone

this reminds me a bit of that emotional labor comic. Or “learned helplessness,” stereotypically in men, like when your boyfriend asks you how to do the laundry. Where is the line?

For his autism-friendly shows, he makes sure that the sound is turned down […], no flashing lights, quiet zones inside and out

This is a good thing, absolutely. Options are better than no options. But I think it’s definitely not something that should ever be mandated or even expected.

Suppose I hate birds but like watching things. It shouldn’t be on the Society of Birdwatchers to make sure they have a version for insect lovers. Even if I love their atmosphere, sense of community, the places they go, good vibes, and the lunches.

What are those limits? When does something fundamentally change? I don’t know.

Also, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for a second opinion if the meeting doesn’t go how you had hoped.

There’s a point to be made here about diagnosis shopping. But I’m not going to make it. I suspect the magazine fully intended to be vague.

Anyway, the next review won’t be nearly as controversial.