JUNE BOOK SUMMARY

Unmasking Autism by Devon Price

ABOUT UNMASKING AUTISM from Penguin Random House:

“A deep dive into the spectrum of Autistic experience and the phenomenon of masked Autism, giving individuals the tools to safely uncover their true selves while broadening society’s narrow understanding of neurodiversity

‘A remarkable work that will stand at the forefront of the neurodiversity movement.’—Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP, author of Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism

For every visibly Autistic person you meet, there are countless “masked” Autistic people who pass as neurotypical. Masking is a common coping mechanism in which Autistic people hide their identifiably Autistic traits in order to fit in with societal norms, adopting a superficial personality at the expense of their mental health. This can include suppressing harmless stims, papering over communication challenges by presenting as unassuming and mild-mannered, and forcing themselves into situations that cause severe anxiety, all so they aren’t seen as needy or “odd.”

In Unmasking Autism, Dr. Devon Price shares his personal experience with masking and blends history, social science research, prescriptions, and personal profiles to tell a story of neurodivergence that has thus far been dominated by those on the outside looking in. For Dr. Price and many others, Autism is a deep source of uniqueness and beauty. Unfortunately, living in a neurotypical world means it can also be a source of incredible alienation and pain. Most masked Autistic individuals struggle for decades before discovering who they truly are. They are also more likely to be marginalized in terms of race, gender, sexual orientation, class, and other factors, which contributes to their suffering and invisibility. Dr. Price lays the groundwork for unmasking and offers exercises that encourage self-expression, including:

• Celebrating special interests
• Cultivating Autistic relationships
• Reframing Autistic stereotypes
• And rediscovering your values”

About Dr. Price

“Devon Price, PhD, is a social psychologist, professor, author, and proud Autistic person. His research has appeared in journals such as the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, and the Journal of Positive Psychology. Devon’s writing.”

PREVIOUS BOOK SUMMARIES

Always Only You by Chloe Liese:

Main character is the social media coordinator for a professional hockey team and the star player has secretly been in love with her since she joined the team but she is oblivious. She finally gets a new job and will no longer be working for the team which is when Ren makes his move……. Think slow yearning romance.

Author Bio for Chloe Liese, taken from her website.

Chloe writes romances reflecting her belief that everyone deserves a love story. Her stories pack a punch of heat, heart, and humor, and often feature characters who are neurodivergent like herself. When not dreaming up her next book, Chloe spends her time wandering in nature, playing soccer, and most happily at home with her family and mischievous cats. As a late-diagnosed autistic woman, [she] seeks to destigmatize neurodiversity and to break down ableist barriers that view the neurodiverse and particularly autistics as less capable, human, and worthy of opportunity, independence, and love.

POETRY BOOK SUMMARY

For Your Safety Please Hold On by Kayla Czaga:

For Your Safety Please Hold On is an incredible first poetry collection from Kayla Czaga. As said on the Good Reads website, her poetry “tests the line between honest humour and bitter reality in a sophisticated, incisive manner that tugs at the gut and feels true. The irrepressible energy of the poems in “For Your Safety Please Hold On,” paired with their complex balancing act between light and dark, humour and melancholy, innocence and danger, make this collection an extraordinary first offering.”

Author Bio for Kayla Czaga (taken from Chapters/Indigo here).

Kayla Czaga grew up in Kitimat and now lives in Vancouver, BC, where she recently earned her MFA in Creative Writing at UBC. In 2016, she received the Emerging Writer Award from the Canadian Authors Association. Her poetry, non-fiction and fiction has been published in The Walrus, Best Canadian Poetry 2013, Room Magazine, Event and The Antigonish Review, among others. For Your Safety Please Hold On is her first book. Her debut book, For Your Safety Please Hold On, was shortlisted for the Governor General”s Literary Award (2015), the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize (2015), and the Debut-litzer Prize (2015), and it won the Gerald Lampert Memorial Award (2015).