4 stars
This book does an excellent job changing up the conversation around autism. This up-to-date look at ASDs gives a person-first exploration of the climate around autism, focusing of self-advocates and actual autistic people rather than solely on medical professionals and parents/families of autistic individuals. It also includes currents events such as the way COVID affected those on the spectrum and the treatment of autism in recent political campaigns.
Garcia covers a lot of ground. From giving a brief history of how autism has been treated to demonstrating the flaws in using terms like high and low functioning, the book goes a long way in breaking many of the stereotypes and misconceptions about autism. Garcia uses his own experiences to correct these misconceptions such as his interest in journalism and politics over STEM fields and his diagnosis journey as a Mexican-American. He also presents a variety of autistic experiences including those with high support needs, those diagnosed later in life, and people of color.
One aspect I found especially powerful was Garcia’s focus on exploring intersectionality. There are sections that focus on race, sexuality, and gender, helping to show that it is not just white, cisgender men that are autistic. He also provides some insight into the ways autism intersects with these other identities. Not just the cumulative experience of someone who is autistic and a woman of color but rather the experiences of an autistic woman of color.
The main focus of the book is to listen to self-advocates. It shows why the rhetoric around curing autism is flawed and why it is more beneficial to provide services and resources to make the world easier to navigate for autistic people (and others) rather than trying to “fix” them.
A powerful read that brings many aspects of the current conversations about autism into one place. A useful resource for those close to the autism community as well as those who know little about it. By centering the voices of autistic individuals, Garcia helps add to autism advocacy and offers a critical analysis of the treatment of autism in mainstream America.