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A review by laynepetrie
Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum by Jennifer Cook O'Toole
slow-paced
0.5
I really wanted to like this book. Sadly, I hated it. What bothered me most:
1. The author’s indirect comparison of herself to Sojourner Truth and also to Barbie.
2. Her “correction” of what a semicolon tattoo should *really* mean.
3. The author’s repetitive overgeneralized statements about autistic people, and their traits.
4. Her borderline diagnostic statements about people who might be driven, organized, particularly skilled at something, etc.
5. The way she sort of “blames” autism for putting up with an abusive relationship.
6. The statement that anyone with an eating disorder should be evaluated for autism.
7. The Christian undertones and shaming of men’s sexuality/desires/behaviors but wild showmanship of her own.
8. The strict binary view of gender and identity. It’s very cis/hetero heavy.
Autism diagnoses in non-male individuals needs further exploration, but this book missed the mark, to me.
1. The author’s indirect comparison of herself to Sojourner Truth and also to Barbie.
2. Her “correction” of what a semicolon tattoo should *really* mean.
3. The author’s repetitive overgeneralized statements about autistic people, and their traits.
4. Her borderline diagnostic statements about people who might be driven, organized, particularly skilled at something, etc.
5. The way she sort of “blames” autism for putting up with an abusive relationship.
6. The statement that anyone with an eating disorder should be evaluated for autism.
7. The Christian undertones and shaming of men’s sexuality/desires/behaviors but wild showmanship of her own.
8. The strict binary view of gender and identity. It’s very cis/hetero heavy.
Autism diagnoses in non-male individuals needs further exploration, but this book missed the mark, to me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent and Cultural appropriation