Published on 12, July, 2020
So, my latest Autistic obsession seems to be reading the autobiographies of other Autistic people. Anyone else noticed that there has been an explosion of these since the beginning of the pandemic? It was the pandemic that forced a crescendo in the problems that lead me to a very late diagnosis too. Clearly, a lot of us have been busy spending lock down on a voyage of discovery and then writing about it. It's heartening to see so many women are coming to the fore.
To whit, I've just been reading Fern's article in the Your Autism mag...oh there we go again male Dr misdiagnoses woman with BPD ...don't get me started! Seriously though, I'm really looking forward to her book due out in Feb 23 - got my pre-order in and was just feeling the need to give it a plug here.
Meanwhile, I am noticing how many more biographers are not just narrating their personal journey but really taking on the political dimensions of autistic identity. I'd also recommend Clem Bastow's Late Bloomer and Jane McNiece's The Umbrella Picker.
What's your favourite? Anyone else got any recommendations for me I may have missed in my trawls on amazon?
I first found Fern on a series of podcasts by Sara Gibbs. Sara was late diagnosed and has interviewed about 10 people on her series of podcasts called Aut-hour. Fern is on instagram and uses the name, Fern from Bathgate. Most of the people Sara interviews are late diagnosed women, it’s so interesting how different everyone is. I’ve read Sara’s book, it’s called Drama Queen. I actually listened to it as an audiobook and Sara reads it. I thoroughly recommend it. One of the other women that Sara interviews is Laura James, her book is called, Odd girl out. Her book is brilliant. I’m in the middle of Elle Mcnicolls second book at the moment, she is also interviewed by Sara. All the interviews are very informal and more like an hour of chatting between friends with similar minds. All are autistic authors. I loved Lara’s book, living with a non autistic partner is sometimes very supportive, but can be very hard as well. Enjoy.
Sara did interviews? K. That's got me occupied tonight. Thanks