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A review by arialovegreen
Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Devon Price
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I really don't know what to say. This book is life-changing.
At the prologue of alienation, I related so much to Dr. Price's description of his own life up to the point of discovering he is autistic that it brought me to tears. I laughed at the quotes from the interviewees, delighted by their view of the world and how similar it is to my own. I re-thought my previous behaviors and patterns of thinking through entirely new lenses. And I cried again at ending as it tied everything back full circle with the opposite of alienation: integration. But this time out of joy.
It's safe to say I smiled, cried, processed, and re-considered a *lot* while taking in this book.
Unmasking Autism is an essential read for everyone, in my opinion. Especially, of course, for autistic people and the people that love them. This book has utterly shifted my perspective on myself and my career. It has shifted my view on the world, the social systems and backgrounds of disability.
Dr. Devon Price is an excellent writer in structure and voice. He synthesizes research with lived experiences to paint a beautiful and expansive portrait of neurodiversity and what the world could be if we lived its values and ideas. He openly engages in critical thinking and self-reflection as he helps guide the reader through each informational point. His candor shines as he speaks on his own experiences and opinions regarding the information he reviews.
Okay. Maybe I *did* know what to say. But honestly, this review feels like small chops compared to how impactful the experience of this book was to me. My life is better for reading this book.
Dr. Price, if you're reading this by some strange chance: thank you. Thank you for writing this. I doubt you hardly need such confirmation, but this book has made my life infinitely better for having read it. Even if only for the sheer fact that it made me feel immensely seen and heard. It is a stark reminder that I am not alone in my experiences. And hopefully it will reach even further as I incorporate it into my interactions with others, both personally and professionally.
At the prologue of alienation, I related so much to Dr. Price's description of his own life up to the point of discovering he is autistic that it brought me to tears. I laughed at the quotes from the interviewees, delighted by their view of the world and how similar it is to my own. I re-thought my previous behaviors and patterns of thinking through entirely new lenses. And I cried again at ending as it tied everything back full circle with the opposite of alienation: integration. But this time out of joy.
It's safe to say I smiled, cried, processed, and re-considered a *lot* while taking in this book.
Unmasking Autism is an essential read for everyone, in my opinion. Especially, of course, for autistic people and the people that love them. This book has utterly shifted my perspective on myself and my career. It has shifted my view on the world, the social systems and backgrounds of disability.
Dr. Devon Price is an excellent writer in structure and voice. He synthesizes research with lived experiences to paint a beautiful and expansive portrait of neurodiversity and what the world could be if we lived its values and ideas. He openly engages in critical thinking and self-reflection as he helps guide the reader through each informational point. His candor shines as he speaks on his own experiences and opinions regarding the information he reviews.
Okay. Maybe I *did* know what to say. But honestly, this review feels like small chops compared to how impactful the experience of this book was to me. My life is better for reading this book.
Dr. Price, if you're reading this by some strange chance: thank you. Thank you for writing this. I doubt you hardly need such confirmation, but this book has made my life infinitely better for having read it. Even if only for the sheer fact that it made me feel immensely seen and heard. It is a stark reminder that I am not alone in my experiences. And hopefully it will reach even further as I incorporate it into my interactions with others, both personally and professionally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Racism, and Police brutality