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daniofthewood's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Racism, Transphobia, and Homophobia
panickedhonking's review
challenging
informative
fast-paced
3.0
My opinion of this book slammed shut about 75% of the way through when Walker said with her whole chest "tame autistic" without irony to refer to people like Temple Grandin who gained approval (a dubious claim) from neurotypical society.
I think a lot of the underlying ideas are great, but ultimately Walker hypocritically employs a somewhat prescriptive view of how people are allowed to see autism. I do agree with the premise of neurodiversity as she outlined in the book, however I also think that it's an issue to say that anyone who employs any pathologizing self-identification is simply oppressed and their opinions by extension are invalid.
As a final note, she sure employs race as a comparison a whole lot for a white person while talking at length about who's allowed to speak for autistic people in academia, a category which does not include all autistic people.
I think a lot of the underlying ideas are great, but ultimately Walker hypocritically employs a somewhat prescriptive view of how people are allowed to see autism. I do agree with the premise of neurodiversity as she outlined in the book, however I also think that it's an issue to say that anyone who employs any pathologizing self-identification is simply oppressed and their opinions by extension are invalid.
As a final note, she sure employs race as a comparison a whole lot for a white person while talking at length about who's allowed to speak for autistic people in academia, a category which does not include all autistic people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
kittyonfire's review against another edition
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Ableism
gloriabyrd's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
2.0
This book was extremely repetitive and difficult to understand at points, being very scholarly. As someone going into psychology and as a neurodivergent person myself, I disagree with some of the author’s points.
Some of the text is extremely condescending without explanation, and I think some of it is actually doing harm to neurodivergent people.
I understand some of the hate toward ABA therapy, but it is not always harmful and can, especially in cases of self-injurious behavior, help people.
The author did make some great points and is a great theorist, but the clarity of the writing was terrible.
Some of the text is extremely condescending without explanation, and I think some of it is actually doing harm to neurodivergent people.
I understand some of the hate toward ABA therapy, but it is not always harmful and can, especially in cases of self-injurious behavior, help people.
The author did make some great points and is a great theorist, but the clarity of the writing was terrible.
readingwithsierra's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
amanda_jorkips's review
5.0
As a late diagnosed autistic person, mother of two autistic children I was blown away with this book.
I mostly talked to neurotypical parents and was set in the pathological paradigm, without even knowing it.
This book opened my eyes, made me rethink my views and showed me valuable insight. I reframed my point of view, changed my language and interactions. Realizing the why and how was life changing.
This is a book I would recommend to all who come to know or interact with anyone who is neurodivergent.
I mostly talked to neurotypical parents and was set in the pathological paradigm, without even knowing it.
This book opened my eyes, made me rethink my views and showed me valuable insight. I reframed my point of view, changed my language and interactions. Realizing the why and how was life changing.
This is a book I would recommend to all who come to know or interact with anyone who is neurodivergent.