Book Reviews
Jess Birchall, Autism clinician and special educational needs consultant shares her reviews of recommended books addressing the themes and challenges of autism.
SEND IN THE IDIOTS | By Kamran Nazeer
This book looks at the lives of a group of Autistic children who turn into Autistic adults and the lives they are leading now. Kamran Nazeer himself is now a political speech writer and it is a fascinating insight written in manageable short stories. Nazeer brings up an insightful point about the nature of labels. Autism doesn’t predispose an individual to anything, and really a label at the end of the day should result in support needed for if someone is struggling enough to get a diagnosis in the first place.
THE PATTERN SEEKERS | By Simon Baron-Cohen
What kind of brain type do you have? This book not only delves into the systemizing vs empathising brain types we can have, but offers a complete history on neuro-diversity. Baron-Cohen argues with feeling and conviction that society must “scale up supported employment, not just for the benefit it will bring to society, but because employment greatly improves the mental health of autistic people.”
I have worked with students on the spectrum to get them work experience and fight for paid employment which gives fulfillment, a sense of purpose and most importantly independence. We need to nurture our inventors of the future (chapter 9) by placing in early support with a focus on independence.
THE GIRL WHO THOUGHT IN PICTURES | By Dr Temple Grandin
Temple Grandin was one of the most well known Autistic women in the world. She revolutionised the cattle herding industry and declared herself diagnosed at exactly the right time. Temple's mother was her true advocate and made sure that Temple was able to live her life to her full potential. This book is an autobiographical picture book that offers an authentic visual representation of Temple Grandin’s mind and how it works. It is worth remembering how important visual thinking is to Autistic people.
M IS FOR AUTISM | by the students of Limpsfield Grange and Vicky Martin
What a read!
Autistic girls wrote this book alongside Vicky Martin, a creative writer and author. It is about a teenage girl going through school who gets a diagnosis of autism. It brings up difficult conversations about bullying, wanting to be “normal” and dealing with extreme anxiety which is a profile of autism.
For autistic people that are able to talk and express what they want to do with their life; working, holding down a job and feeling like a valued member of society is something I hear a lot. We need to start adapting work environments to make them accessible to autistic people.
EXPLAINING HUMANS | By Dr Camilla Pang
Dr Camilla Pang was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of eight, and struggled to understand the world around her and the way people worked. Looking for her own solution, Camilla asked her mother if there was an instruction manual for humans that she could consult. Through this book, Camilla uses science to create a set of principles that can be applied to social situations.
One of my favourite bits in this book is the decision tree which I use with clients to help think through options and how to prepare for situations that they might find overwhelming. By working through scenarios, we can help autistic people prepare for changes and give them a visual structure as a scaffolding to support through every day life.
DRAMA QUEEN | By Sara Gibbs
This book is a wonderful memoir of a woman who has had a late diagnosis. Sara makes it clear that she grew up Neurodiverse in a Neurotypical world.
Sara is articulate, funny and also gives a lot of perspective on the challenges that an Autistic woman can face especially around jobs and social situations.
Well worth a read - you will laugh out loud, but also this book comes with a serious mascara warning.
