Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity

“Around people, I felt I had to censor every natural reaction, and pretend to have interests and feelings that were normal. Plus, people were so overwhelming. They were all so loud and erratic, their eyes like painful laser beams boring into me. All I wanted to do was sit in the dark and not be bothered or judged.”

Price shares a first-person narrative to convey the intense discomfort experienced in social settings. The use of the simile “their eyes like painful laser beams boring into me” effectively illustrates the acute sense of exposure and vulnerability he felt under the gaze of others. This description, coupled with his expressed desire to retreat into darkness, encapsulates the overwhelming sensory and emotional experiences that often accompany Autism.

“Despite what people believe, Autism is not defined by rudeness, masculinity, or having any kind of mathematical skill. In the scientific literature, it’s arguable whether the disability should even be defined by the presence of clear behavioral signs, such as trouble reading social cues or hesitating to initiate contact with other people. Instead of looking to the external signs of Autism that others might pick up on, it’s important that we instead focus on the neurobiological markers of the neurotype, and the internal experiences and challenges that Autistic people themselves report.”

This quote ties in with the book’s main theme of Challenging Stereotypes and Misconceptions About Autism. Price’s tone is assertive and educational, aiming to correct the widespread misunderstandings about Autism by emphasizing the need to consider its neurobiological aspects and the personal experiences of Autistic individuals. By advocating for this, Price calls for a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of Autism, one that respects the diverse realities of those on the spectrum.

“The mental health needs of white, wealthy people (and the hassle rich mentally ill people presented to their high-status families) were the primary concern of early psychiatrists. Everyone else was, at best, an afterthought, and at worse an undesirable to be purged. This history shaped how professionals saw and defined Autism from the very start, and its legacy is still with us today.”

By using the words “afterthought” or “undesirable,” Price underscores the systemic neglect and marginalization of diverse groups in the understanding of Autism. This historical context is crucial in understanding the current landscape of Autism diagnosis and treatment, revealing how deeply ingrained biases have shaped and continue to influence perceptions and care for Autistic individuals, especially those from non-white or non-wealthy backgrounds.