My older daughter is a smart, talented, gregarious, compassionate, hard-working adult.
But as she grew up, I had to watch (and try, as best I could, to alleviate) all the horrible experiences she had to go through, simply because she was autistic. She has come out stronger from these experiences; I have come out much, much angrier.
My new book, What Today Withholds: Autism and Human Rights in the United States, examines the still precarious state of autistic people’s human rights in the United States. I look at dehumanizing language, potentially dangerous early interventions, limited educational opportunities, discrimination in the job market and in housing, poor medical and mental health care, and victimization, by outsiders and family members alike. The most important feature of the book, though, is its focus on what autistic people themselves have to say about their experiences, and on the brave actions autistic people have taken to defend their rights.
In order to write the book, I have not only extensively examined scientific research on the topics discussed. I have also subscribed to nearly 200 blogs, followed dozens of Twitter feeds, participated in a multitude of discussions on Reddit, Wrong Planet, and other sites, all by #actually autistic people. As a neurotypical writer, I humbly acknowledge that only neurodivergent people really understand what their lives are like, and it is for me to learn from them.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction
II. On Autistic Humanity
III. Early Intervention
IV. Education
V. Employment and Housing
VI. Physical and Mental Health
VII. Horrors and Heroes
You can read some passages from the book in the section of this website called Excerpts from What Today Withholds.
You can see more material from the book on my blog: