Though a neurotypical myself, I’ve made recent efforts towards better understanding a colleague at work who is on the autism spectrum. I did so with the hope of learning to deal with future colleagues who might come from similar perspectives. I work in software development, which is targeted as a potential career path with less interaction with neurotypicals. So I expect more interactions with future co-workers on the spectrum. I’ve read several works on autism, and Devon Price’s book surpasses them all with its depth in research and in modern psychological concepts. Anyone seeking to understand someone on the spectrum, whether a friend or themselves, will benefit from Price’s wisdom and knowledge.
Of note, Price considers themselves autistic. Further, they acquired a PhD in psychology to understand how to help fellow autistics with life. Autism’s prevalence seems only to be increasing in America, and common understanding among the rest of us – so-called “neurotypicals” – needs to increase. Price makes a convincing case that expecting those with autism to conform to unnatural modes of living is inhumane and inefficient. They also makes a strong case against applying a medical model of disease alone. The personalities and personhood of neurodiverse people need to be considered more by educators and healthcare workers.
Although this book stands out in excellence, I have two specific criticisms. First, Price’s definition of the autistic condition is highly subjective; they seem to allow almost anyone to identify with it. The inclusion criteria are quite wide, and the exclusion criteria are almost non-existent. While this breadth is helpful in counseling situations, wider life presents many situations, like health insurance or accessing educational services, where some firm labeling is needed. Of course, many situations relating to mental health fall into the same camp; this problem is not unique to autism or Price.
Second, Price’s suggestions to make a world more friendly to neurodiversity seems a bit idealistic and naive. While I agree that Americans tend to overwork in attempts to be productive, the need to work is important to embrace for us all as individuals and society. Particularly because I’m reading this for co-workers, I’d like to hear more specifics about how to work together for the common good. Future writings might need to be done by someone with more distance from individual psychotherapy and more business experience.
Despite these concerns, overall, this book taught me a lot. I haven’t found a better resource yet, period. We all have to unmask from social expectations to some degree, and I learned how I can be less oppressive towards others. I still have plenty more to learn, but I now have a better foundation to work with. While this book is aimed towards those with autism and neurotypicals near those with autism, it deserves an even wider audience. We all need to learn to make the world a better place for neurodiversity. I suspect that books like this will only provide a beginning for a decades-long effort, but it persuades that we’ll improve our common lot through the work.
Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity
By Devon Price
Narrated by Devon Price
Copyright (c) 2022
Random House Audio
ASIN B09BBM2WQJ
Length: 9:51
Genre: Psychology, Autism
Sponsored link to www.amazon.com