Almost 80% of autistic people have a co-occurring mental health condition, and this powerful book puts their voices front and centre, showcasing the human experience beyond the medicalised language and diagnoses. This poignant essay collection shines a light on voices that often go unheard in our society. Covering a range of experiences from multiple ages, genders and backgrounds, discussions include trauma, relationships, masking, healthcare, intersectionality and more.
The essays are structured along the topics of hurt (personal experiences and how they shaped the contributor), help (the tools and tips which have helped on their personal journeys), and hope (looking forward to the future). At times touching, humorous, and also enraging, this book offers a frank and honest depiction of the challenges autistic people face and the knock-on effect on their mental health. A challenge to change how our society treats and values one another.
Introduction; WHO AM I? By Mair Elliott; I DON'T REALLY WANNA FIGHT NO MORE, By Morénike Giwa Onaiwu; HURTING, HELPING, AND HOPING... FROM LEARNING, TO DIAGNOSIS AND CONTENTMENT, By Paul Statham; FEELING ALIEN IN A WORLD THAT REJECTS YOU - THE DISCOVERY OF SELF THROUGH NEURODIVERSITY, By Suzy Rowland; TO BE LEFT ALONE, By Emma Wishart; BEING AUTISTIC AND MANAGING ANXIETY, By Robert Joyce; HOYO'S (MUM) AND INANKEEDII (SON) JOURNEY FROM HURT TO HOPE WITH AUTISM, By Nura Aabe; BIG BRAIN TREES AND SUPERPOWERS - A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY, PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING, By Emma Cobb; MY JOURNEY TO A PLACE OF HOPE - AUTISM AND SCHIZOPHRENIA, By Yenn Purkis; A PARTICLE OF MY EXISTENCE, By Casey Chonily; THRIVING THROUGH WORDS: FINDING YOUR NICHE IN A NEUROTYPICAL WORLD, By Jess/Jai White; Conclusion; Reference List; About the Authors
