An Author’s Review: Unmasking Autism by Devon Price, PhD
As an author interested in topics related to Autism, but not Autistic myself, I’m always looking to learn more about the Autistic experience. Learning from writers who are Autistic themselves has helped me to be more understanding, knowledgeable, and, I hope, a better writer.
One of the best books I’ve found lately has been Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Devon Price, PhD. This book is intensely personal, as Dr. Price is a proud Autistic person himself, as well as an author, professor, and social psychologist. It’s also chock full of facts and research. There’s so much to learn here!
Unmasking Autism takes a deep dive into what it means to be Autistic. It also addresses masking and how costly it can be. A mask can be heavy, but it’s not always easy or safe for Autistic folk to unmask. Dr. Price shines a light on the challenges faced by those who are so often marginalized: Autistic women, folk who are non-gender-conforming, and people of color.
Dr. Price shares true stories of actually Autistic people he knows, and explores the many characteristics of Autism, masking, and the process of unmasking.
This book looks at new ways to think about Autism, for example, changing the way we think about so-called Autistic stereotypes. Rather than calling someone distractible, let’s call them perceptive. Autistic people notice and perceive so many fascinating details that the rest of us might miss. Instead of describing an Autistic person as stubborn, why not say they are assertive and persistent? We all want our children to grow up able to be assertive when needed. And rather than saying that someone is loud, let’s say that they are enthusiastic and zestful. I value enthusiasm over apathy, don’t you? The characteristics that many of us share don’t need to be used as negative labels when applied to Autistic folk.
Dr. Price offers wise counsel for building your authentic Autistic life. This life should be based on our values, strengths, and needs. No one should feel like they have to “perform” a “normal” life just to make other people happy or comfortable. This book gives us a map for becoming “radically visible” rather than hiding behind a mask. Dr. Price describes radical visibility as both self-expression and self-advocacy. To help people undertake this daunting challenge, he suggests forming meaningful Autistic relationships as well as Autism-friendly relationships with people who are allistic (not Autistic).
In his book, Dr. Price shares a dream of creating a neurodiverse world where Autistic folk would not feel that they have to mask to survive. Such a world would have broadened social norms, sensory-friendly public spaces, and a plan for everyone to get their needs met. We could do away with the medical model of disability that implies that there is something “wrong” or “abnormal” about being Autistic. There is nothing wrong with Autism.
There is so much valuable content in this book, I cannot begin to mention every topic that Dr. Price covers so effectively. I strongly recommend that you read this book. You will be so glad that you did.
One of my favorite quotes from this book is:
“To unmask is to lay bare a proud face of noncompliance, to refuse to buckle under the weight of neurotypical demands. It’s an act of bold activism as well as a declaration of self-worth. To unmask is to refuse to be silenced…Together we can stand strong and free…with the recognition that we never had anything to hide.” ~Devon Price, PhD, Unmasking Autism
Unsolicited review written by Wendela Whitcomb Marsh