Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity

The 2022 book Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Devon Price offers a fresh and insightful perspective on Autism. Part self-help book and part educational text, the work is grounded in the principles of the neurodiversity movement and challenges conventional views of Autism. Drawing on his experiences as a social psychologist and Autism self-advocate, Price combines personal narrative and academic research to provide a comprehensive exploration of Autism, emphasizing its diversity and the need for societal change to embrace this diversity.

This guide refers to the 2022 Kindle edition published by Harmony Books.

Content Warning: The source text and this guide reference sensitive topics like disordered eating, racism, and trauma.

Note: This guide uses identity-first language when discussing Autism, in keeping with Price’s deliberate use of identity-first language (e.g., “Autistic” or “Autistic person”). As Price explains in the text, this approach expresses that being Autistic is intrinsic to the identity of an Autistic person. Many Autism self-advocates prefer this use of language. Price also capitalizes “Autism” similar to the way the Deaf community capitalizes the word “Deaf,” in order to convey that Autistic people have their own history, culture, and community. This guide reflects that choice.

Summary

Price begins with his personal journey, detailing his struggles with social interaction, sensory overwhelm, and the process of discovering he was Autistic. He didn’t realize that he was Autistic after he began graduate school and his well-being started to suffer as he became more and more isolated. He recounts how a cousin of his was assessed for Autism, and how this sparked a journey of self-discovery for Price, spurring him to research Autism and eventually connect with the Autistic community both online and in-person. Price also reflects on the process of masking—concealing Autistic traits to fit into societal norms—and its profound impact on mental health and self-identity. He shares how masking impacted his own life, and how liberated he feels today having more fully embraced his Autistic identity. He declares that he wants all Autistic people to be able to feel just as free as he does, and to feel empowered to embrace their Autistic traits as a revolutionary act of justice and self-love.

Price tackles the misconceptions surrounding Autism, particularly the stereotypical image of Autism as predominantly affecting young, white, male individuals from wealthy, upper-class, or middle-class families. He argues that this narrow view overlooks the diversity within the Autism spectrum and fails to recognize how societal factors, like gender, race, and class, influence the diagnosis and experience of Autism. The book emphasizes that Autism is not limited to specific behaviors or interests and should be instead understood through neurobiological markers and personal experiences.

A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the concept of masking. Price explains how Autistic individuals often hide their difficulties to conform to societal expectations, leading to a range of mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. Masking can result in a double bind where Autistic individuals are either perceived as too disabled or not disabled enough, complicating their experiences in employment and social interactions.

Price explores how intersectionality affects the experiences of Autistic individuals. He discusses the additional challenges faced by Black and brown Autistics, highlighting how systemic racism in healthcare and society leads to disparities in diagnosis and treatment. The book also touches on the complexities of being Autistic and belonging to other marginalized groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community.

Unmasking Autism delves into the human need for belonging and how this manifests in Autistic individuals. Price discusses how Autistic people are susceptible to eating disorders, high-control groups like cults and religious organizations, and the tendency toward fawning behavior (See: Index of Terms). These coping mechanisms often arise in response to the challenges Autistic people face when it comes to finding belonging and acceptance. He emphasizes the importance of finding genuine connections and supportive communities for Autistic individuals.

An essential theme in the book is the idea of reframing and reclaiming Autistic traits. Price encourages readers to see characteristics often labeled as deficits (like intense focus or deep interest in specific topics) as strengths. He suggests that embracing these traits can lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Price contrasts the medical model of disability, which views disabilities as individual deficits that need treatment, with the social model of disability, which recognizes that societal barriers and attitudes create disability by failing to accommodate the needs of diverse individuals. He advocates for the social model of disability, suggesting that it offers a more inclusive and just perspective, especially for neurodiverse individuals.

The book calls for legal and social changes to better accommodate neurodiverse individuals. Price criticizes current laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for not going far enough to support Autistic people. He proposes broader social norms, public education on neurodiversity, universal health care and basic income, the abolishment of the carceral system, and systemic changes to create a more inclusive society.

In the Conclusion, Price draws parallels between his experiences as a masked Autistic individual and being in the closet about his gender and sexual identity. He describes unmasking as a gradual but worthwhile process of integrating various aspects of oneself. Price views unmasking not just as a personal journey but as an act of activism that contributes to building a more neurodiverse and accepting society.

Throughout Unmasking Autism, Price combines personal anecdotes, psychological research, and social commentary to provide a comprehensive and empathetic view of Autism. His work is a call to action for society to reevaluate its perceptions of neurodiversity and to create environments where Autistic individuals can thrive without having to mask their true selves.