I hate being autistic

Yes definitely. I'd say I've hated it throughout my life, and have never truly accepted myself for who I am. But I also know that there are positive qualities about myself that I would not have if I wasn't autistic. Music is a special/intense interest I have, and currently I'm a working musician, getting paid gigs and absolutely love performing, and so I most likely would never have gotten into music if it wasn't for my autism/special interests. Yes, there are things I really struggle with (social interactions, trouble making friends, slower processing of info etc.), so I totally get it, but for me personally I do feel it has led me down/is leading me down a pathway to success, and I'm sure that you have certain characteristics that make you talented (even if you don't realize it!) that you can take advantage of, and that make you yourself! You're not alone  

Yes definitely. I'd say I've hated it throughout my life, and have never truly accepted myself for who I am. But I also know that there are positive qualities about myself that I would not have if I wasn't autistic. Music is a special/intense interest I have, and currently I'm a working musician, getting paid gigs and absolutely love performing, and so I most likely would never have gotten into music if it wasn't for my autism/special interests. Yes, there are things I really struggle with (social interactions, trouble making friends, slower processing of info etc.), so I totally get it, but for me personally I do feel it has led me down/is leading me down a pathway to success, and I'm sure that you have certain characteristics that make you talented (even if you don't realize it!) that you can take advantage of, and that make you yourself! You're not alone  

When my nephew was first diagnosed with autism, our whole family felt overwhelmed. The endless questions, the uncertainty, and the fear of the unknown weighed heavily on us. Doctors gave us a clinical definition, but what we needed was understanding, guidance, and most importantly—hope.

That’s when we found Beyond the Label by Oliver Emily. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect. We had already read so many resources that were either too technical or too detached from real life. But this book was different.

From the very first pages, it felt like someone finally understood. Oliver Emily doesn’t just explain autism—he brings it to life with compassion and clarity. He goes beyond the diagnosis, beyond the stereotypes, and shows the beauty, challenges, and unique strengths that come with living on the spectrum. What struck me most was how empowering it was. Instead of focusing only on limitations, it gave us strategies, encouragement, and a perspective that helped us see autism in a new light.

Slowly, our family shifted from feeling lost to feeling equipped. We began to embrace my nephew’s individuality, celebrate his progress, and support him in ways that actually made sense. Beyond the Label didn’t just give us information—it gave us hope and direction.

If you or someone you love is navigating the world of autism, don’t settle for cold definitions or outdated advice. Beyond the Label is more than a book—it’s a guide to understanding, acceptance, and seeing the person, not just the diagnosis.

Thanks for your honesty. It's hard when it's fundamentally what has caused and continues to cause issues. Yeh there's been good times and I get it about having positives too like you say about being a musician but for me currently,  I hate it.