jdisarray's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Addiction
jessicaleza's review against another edition
5.0
“Communication via objects was safe.” (p. 14)
“In the company of others my sense would cut off, and I would become so numb that, in order to experience something, I had to push myself to extreme limits.” (p. 28)
“The problem with my hearing was obviously one of a fluctuation in the awareness of sound. … it was as though awareness were a puppet, the strings of which were set firmly in the hands of emotional stress.” (p. 47)
“I could say what I thought, but the problem was I could not say what I felt.” (p. 52)
“My behavior puzzled them; but theirs puzzled me, too.” (p. 66)
“Everything outside of me told me that my survival was to rest on my refining the act of acting normal. On the inside I knew that by definition this meant that whatever and whoever I was naturally was unworthy of acceptance, belonging, or even life.” (p. 75)
“... it was this acceptance which raised my self-esteem and motivated and inspired me more than anything else.” (p. 109)
“In the company of others my sense would cut off, and I would become so numb that, in order to experience something, I had to push myself to extreme limits.” (p. 28)
“The problem with my hearing was obviously one of a fluctuation in the awareness of sound. … it was as though awareness were a puppet, the strings of which were set firmly in the hands of emotional stress.” (p. 47)
“I could say what I thought, but the problem was I could not say what I felt.” (p. 52)
“My behavior puzzled them; but theirs puzzled me, too.” (p. 66)
“Everything outside of me told me that my survival was to rest on my refining the act of acting normal. On the inside I knew that by definition this meant that whatever and whoever I was naturally was unworthy of acceptance, belonging, or even life.” (p. 75)
“... it was this acceptance which raised my self-esteem and motivated and inspired me more than anything else.” (p. 109)
mckenzierichardson's review
4.0
This is excellent reading for anyone involved in the autism community. At times, it is emotionally difficult to read as Williams recounts various instances of abuse and neglect from family and romantic partners/friends, while showing little emotion towards the events. But the journey through Williams' struggle to find herself and her place in 'the world' is extraordinary.
Williams describes very good examples of stim behavior, generalization problems, and dietary intolerance affecting behavior. While she emphasizes how different each individual living with autism is, she explains her logic when addressing certain situations which may be similar to other cases and would be beneficial in gaining insight into how someone living with autism may see the world.
At one point, a parent of a child living with autism remarks, "We think it is we who have to teach the autistic person... Now I see it is us who have so much to learn from them." This beautifully emphasizes Williams' efforts to understand herself and validates her experiences to find a balance between 'us' and 'them'. This is truly a remarkable opportunity to learn more about one woman's existence of living with autism.
Williams describes very good examples of stim behavior, generalization problems, and dietary intolerance affecting behavior. While she emphasizes how different each individual living with autism is, she explains her logic when addressing certain situations which may be similar to other cases and would be beneficial in gaining insight into how someone living with autism may see the world.
At one point, a parent of a child living with autism remarks, "We think it is we who have to teach the autistic person... Now I see it is us who have so much to learn from them." This beautifully emphasizes Williams' efforts to understand herself and validates her experiences to find a balance between 'us' and 'them'. This is truly a remarkable opportunity to learn more about one woman's existence of living with autism.
val_halla's review
4.0
**Some people have called the author's autism diagnosis into question, claiming she actually suffers from dissociative identity disorder, which does make sense. Do not read this book as one of your first autism memoirs**
This is an incredible story of a woman with autism learning how to function in neurotypical society, and an intriguing look at the personal experiences of Autism Spectrum Disorders. I'll admit, though, that for anyone uninterested in autism, this memoir may fall flat, because there isn't a main theme or narrative to the story otherwise.
This is an incredible story of a woman with autism learning how to function in neurotypical society, and an intriguing look at the personal experiences of Autism Spectrum Disorders. I'll admit, though, that for anyone uninterested in autism, this memoir may fall flat, because there isn't a main theme or narrative to the story otherwise.
clairekeating's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.5