Christine McGuiness: Unmasking my autism

I watched this last night. I waited until I had the spoons to properly take it all in and allow time for reflection afterwards. What an important program and very well presented too. I’m hoping that between this and the Chris Packham episodes, awareness and understanding will start to build.

In pursuit of understanding from those in the outside world, I have used these shows as a way of explaining my experiences of the world. On reflection, I feel this may be a somewhat flawed strategy though. Whilst these shows can serve to highlight some of the invisible challenges I face on a daily basis, saying things like “my experiences lie somewhere between person a and person b” when discussing how the shows apply to me is perhaps doing my individuality a disservice, as well as a disservice to the people being spoken about. Something to work on perhaps. Or maybe an indication that there is scope for more to be done. I think we could all do well, as a society, to listen to each other a little bit more.

Anyway, back onto the topic at hand. I really respect what Christine has done here and thank her for sharing in such a relatable way for so many of us.

I've just finished reading her book too, 'cos I am obsessed with reading the bios of other autistic people.  I find them affirming.  Christine's book gives a great perspective on the vulnerability of autistic women, as well as being and autistic parent of autistic kids.

I've just finished reading her book too, 'cos I am obsessed with reading the bios of other autistic people.  I find them affirming.  Christine's book gives a great perspective on the vulnerability of autistic women, as well as being and autistic parent of autistic kids.