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A review by moomim
Different, Not Less: A Neurodivergent's Guide to Embracing Your True Self and Finding Your Happily Ever After by Chloé Hayden
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I was not all too familiar with Chloe Hayden before I purchased the book - and only later realized that I know her as "that girl who was bullied off social media for posting a video of herself stimming in public." Knowing that, I now feel even more respect for her.
The book is brimming with positivity. And as opposed to a lot of books written by non-autistic people, very uplifting and hopeful. I wish parents of neurodivergent children would read books such as this - I hope it would make them less fearful and learn to understand their children better. I also think it's a great fit for people who are at the beginning of their journey in terms of learning about their own neurodivergence. A work such as this is truly needed, and a beacon of light in a sea of very ableist media about autistic people.
For me personally, I didn't learn many new things, and the many Disney references and metaphors weren't for me. I love non-fiction, and I suppose I like it to be written more straight to the point. However, I didn't mind it that much and I respect that this is great for other people.
The book also functions more as a memoir than a self help book, in my opinion. A regular chapter in the book would contain her personal experiences for the most part - and then a few self-help parts here and there. Which just wasn't what I expected going into the book.
It is clear that Chloe has been through a lot - unimaginable pain. And I respect and appreciate so much that she is now successful and able to speak up for herself and the community. However - it is undeniable that she is also very privileged. A supportive environment, parents who were both present and had the resources (money, time, affection, etc) to help her succeed. Not to say that Chloe didn't work hard to come this far, of course, but some of her advice is based on these privileges, and I don't think it would work for people less fortunate in those regards. That combined with the, at times, intense positivity made the book less relatable.
Regardless, I think this book will be amazing for many people and I am glad it exists. For me personally it may be closer to a 3/5 but considering how it may help others, I think the 4/5 is well deserved.
The book is brimming with positivity. And as opposed to a lot of books written by non-autistic people, very uplifting and hopeful. I wish parents of neurodivergent children would read books such as this - I hope it would make them less fearful and learn to understand their children better. I also think it's a great fit for people who are at the beginning of their journey in terms of learning about their own neurodivergence. A work such as this is truly needed, and a beacon of light in a sea of very ableist media about autistic people.
For me personally, I didn't learn many new things, and the many Disney references and metaphors weren't for me. I love non-fiction, and I suppose I like it to be written more straight to the point. However, I didn't mind it that much and I respect that this is great for other people.
The book also functions more as a memoir than a self help book, in my opinion. A regular chapter in the book would contain her personal experiences for the most part - and then a few self-help parts here and there. Which just wasn't what I expected going into the book.
It is clear that Chloe has been through a lot - unimaginable pain. And I respect and appreciate so much that she is now successful and able to speak up for herself and the community. However - it is undeniable that she is also very privileged. A supportive environment, parents who were both present and had the resources (money, time, affection, etc) to help her succeed. Not to say that Chloe didn't work hard to come this far, of course, but some of her advice is based on these privileges, and I don't think it would work for people less fortunate in those regards. That combined with the, at times, intense positivity made the book less relatable.
Regardless, I think this book will be amazing for many people and I am glad it exists. For me personally it may be closer to a 3/5 but considering how it may help others, I think the 4/5 is well deserved.