08151991j's review against another edition
3.0
It seems as if this book wasn't written for adults on the spectrum. It seems to be written for parents and educators more. There are some helpful tips and behind the scenes job descriptions. Duffy and Grandin advises people not to major or seek employment in several areas though. That contradicts their advice on using your strengths to progress in your career and educational goals though.
bajoranjay's review against another edition
3.0
Good for what it is- a career exploration book aimed at youth on the autistic spectrum and their allies. I think it's too simplistic for many adults.
A few specific notes-
Chapter 6 is unique in how it classifies autistic patterns into Visual thinkers, music/math thinkers, and nonvisual/more-verbal thinkers. I think this taxonomy is a useful starting place, but is overstated. In the autistics I know, including myself, often there are bits and pieces of 2 or all three.
I have a few cautions and possible fixes for some-
1. The disclosure section is one approach of many, which I believe is unnecessarily discouraging of disclosure.
2. Grandin mentions olfactory sensitivity and allergies, but fails to mention No Scent policies or accommodations as effective ways to manage these and make the workplace safer for everyone.
3. I wish Grandin used different, more community-based terminology in several places, for example deconstructing the use of "high"/"low" functioning labels and using "meltdowns" rather than "tantrums."
4. Grandin states in lists and narratives at many points (i.e. p. 43-44) that success depends on three factors, the last of which is "proper medication to help manage their sensory, anxiety or depression problems (Note: some individuals do not need or choose not to use medication)." I appreciate the parenthetical statement as well as the more extensive section on medication p.23-25. However, it strikes me as odd that Grandin who has pioneered one of many sensory integration techniques doesn't say something more general like "finds effective ways to manage or reduce their symptoms of sensory, anxiety, or depression" or mention other ways to do this at any point in her book.
5. Grandin at times devalues the gifts of people she labels as low-functioning, as well as
caving in to ableism rather than giving people tools to critique and change workplace cultures.
In summary, this book is a useful starting place, but needs a heavy dose of autistic community critique and anti-ableism to make it more useful for adults and youth.
A few specific notes-
Chapter 6 is unique in how it classifies autistic patterns into Visual thinkers, music/math thinkers, and nonvisual/more-verbal thinkers. I think this taxonomy is a useful starting place, but is overstated. In the autistics I know, including myself, often there are bits and pieces of 2 or all three.
I have a few cautions and possible fixes for some-
1. The disclosure section is one approach of many, which I believe is unnecessarily discouraging of disclosure.
2. Grandin mentions olfactory sensitivity and allergies, but fails to mention No Scent policies or accommodations as effective ways to manage these and make the workplace safer for everyone.
3. I wish Grandin used different, more community-based terminology in several places, for example deconstructing the use of "high"/"low" functioning labels and using "meltdowns" rather than "tantrums."
4. Grandin states in lists and narratives at many points (i.e. p. 43-44) that success depends on three factors, the last of which is "proper medication to help manage their sensory, anxiety or depression problems (Note: some individuals do not need or choose not to use medication)." I appreciate the parenthetical statement as well as the more extensive section on medication p.23-25. However, it strikes me as odd that Grandin who has pioneered one of many sensory integration techniques doesn't say something more general like "finds effective ways to manage or reduce their symptoms of sensory, anxiety, or depression" or mention other ways to do this at any point in her book.
5. Grandin at times devalues the gifts of people she labels as low-functioning, as well as
caving in to ableism rather than giving people tools to critique and change workplace cultures.
In summary, this book is a useful starting place, but needs a heavy dose of autistic community critique and anti-ableism to make it more useful for adults and youth.
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