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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

A book on autism which pushes the trans rights agenda

137 replies

CatFeet · 05/10/2024 12:42

I saw a thread on MN asking for book recommendations for autists. I looked up one that sounded good called Unmasking Autism, I’ve included the blurb from the publisher which is very misleading. Thankfully I read the reviews, and I’m deeply disturbed. The book is mainly devoted to promoting the author’s transgender ideology while trying to pass itself off as a helpful resource for autistic people.

Here is one review to give an idea:

’This could be a phenomenally helpful book, but the author has decided to use it as a platform to talk about their transgender agenda. Could have been so helpful, ended up as tremendously dull listening to their soap box.’

And another:

’I was enjoying this book, and I found myself trusting the thoughts, ideas and referencing. However, I am in new territory and so was building my trust in the author. It is my view that this author misrepresents JK Rowling in this book, and pointlessly, without any thorough referencing, and therefore, my trust has been undermined. I wanted to read about unmasking autism, and I was not looking to hear someone's views on the current gender/sex debates. I'll be returning the book.’

What on earth does JK Rowling have to do with Autism?

A book on autism which pushes the trans rights agenda
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CatFeet · 05/10/2024 14:07

RapidOnsetGenderCritic · 05/10/2024 13:59

I don't think it's unreasonable to say that you are probably on the autism spectrum but undiagnosed. This applies to me; I don't see much point in being assessed at my advanced age, as I've learned to live in a society that looks at life differently from me. The problem is when someone says they are autistic without having a diagnosis, and when they extrapolate from their own experience to other people's.

I think there’s a big difference to saying ‘I identify as Autistic’ v ‘Suspected Autistic but undiagnosed’. I totally get not going through the assessment process, and personally I don’t think anyone should feel pushed to get one. It’s not an easy nor pleasant process, especially for those with anxiety disorders for example, and also it’s well documented that women still fall through the cracks (Autism UK talks about this). But using the word identifying really gives me the creeps. It’s like it’s a fun little role-play or something.

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RapidOnsetGenderCritic · 05/10/2024 13:59

titchy · 05/10/2024 13:54

I think identifying as ND is quite the thing these days sadly, you've only got to look at the number of MN posts which talk about someone or themselves as having non-diagnosed ADHD or ASD (quite often once they've been trounced in AIBU...).

I don't think it's unreasonable to say that you are probably on the autism spectrum but undiagnosed. This applies to me; I don't see much point in being assessed at my advanced age, as I've learned to live in a society that looks at life differently from me. The problem is when someone says they are autistic without having a diagnosis, and when they extrapolate from their own experience to other people's.

titchy · 05/10/2024 13:54

I think identifying as ND is quite the thing these days sadly, you've only got to look at the number of MN posts which talk about someone or themselves as having non-diagnosed ADHD or ASD (quite often once they've been trounced in AIBU...).

Freda69 · 05/10/2024 13:51

My 68 year old brother is autistic and he has had a really hard and lonely life. Autism wasn’t recognised when he was at school and my parents did very little about it until he was sectioned. I find the idea that anyone would even think about self identifying as autistic is both ridiculous and disgraceful. Sorry for ranting, but many people don’t understand the true reality of being ‘neurodivergent.’

CatFeet · 05/10/2024 13:44

Hoardasurass · 05/10/2024 13:39

It has been for quite a while it goes hand in hand with the autism is a super power bs and being trans is a part of being autistic unfortunately. Most if not all asd charities and support groups are completely captured

Why did this happen? What does being trans-identifying have to do with autism? I’m in my 40s now so growing up the trans movement didn’t exist, so I couldn’t be indoctrinated into it as an impressionable youth. Have the TRAs targeted the autistic community as an ‘easy target’?

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CatFeet · 05/10/2024 13:40

RunsWithDinosaurs · 05/10/2024 13:23

I’ve seen diversity monitoring questions that ask whether you “identify as neurodiverse”. It seems so insulting. It’s not something you can identify into and out of willy nilly. Would have made my life a lot easier if I could. Same with “do you identify as LGB”.

It’s not something you can identify into and out of willy nilly. Would have made my life a lot easier if I could.

Exactly!!

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Justme56 · 05/10/2024 13:40

I think if you look at the author’s wiki page (with accompanying references to their books), it is apparent that they are very much into self identifying autism and also seeing it as a ‘social’ identity. That’s not to suggest they don’t have a clinical diagnosis themselves, but yes I can understand your concerns.

Hoardasurass · 05/10/2024 13:39

CatFeet · 05/10/2024 12:59

Ugh I hope ‘identifying’ as autistic doesn’t become a ‘thing’ for NT people. It’s caused me so much hardship in my life. I’m not saying that directed specifically at this author as I don’t know them whatsoever, but using the word identifying is a red flag and massively eye-rolly.

It has been for quite a while it goes hand in hand with the autism is a super power bs and being trans is a part of being autistic unfortunately. Most if not all asd charities and support groups are completely captured

RunsWithDinosaurs · 05/10/2024 13:23

CatFeet · 05/10/2024 12:59

Ugh I hope ‘identifying’ as autistic doesn’t become a ‘thing’ for NT people. It’s caused me so much hardship in my life. I’m not saying that directed specifically at this author as I don’t know them whatsoever, but using the word identifying is a red flag and massively eye-rolly.

I’ve seen diversity monitoring questions that ask whether you “identify as neurodiverse”. It seems so insulting. It’s not something you can identify into and out of willy nilly. Would have made my life a lot easier if I could. Same with “do you identify as LGB”.

Theeyeballsinthesky · 05/10/2024 13:13

CatFeet · 05/10/2024 12:59

Ugh I hope ‘identifying’ as autistic doesn’t become a ‘thing’ for NT people. It’s caused me so much hardship in my life. I’m not saying that directed specifically at this author as I don’t know them whatsoever, but using the word identifying is a red flag and massively eye-rolly.

I hope so too - it must be so incredibly frustrating

Unfortunately every organisation I’ve come across for people with autism is completely captured :/

CatFeet · 05/10/2024 12:59

Theeyeballsinthesky · 05/10/2024 12:55

Dr Devon identifies as autistic. I don’t know if they identify as autistic in the same way they identify as being male

Ugh I hope ‘identifying’ as autistic doesn’t become a ‘thing’ for NT people. It’s caused me so much hardship in my life. I’m not saying that directed specifically at this author as I don’t know them whatsoever, but using the word identifying is a red flag and massively eye-rolly.

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Theeyeballsinthesky · 05/10/2024 12:55

Dr Devon identifies as autistic. I don’t know if they identify as autistic in the same way they identify as being male