The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A Practical Handbook for Autistic Teens and Tweens (Awesome Guides for Amazing Autistic Kids)

25 reviews for The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A Practical Handbook for Autistic Teens and Tweens (Awesome Guides for Amazing Autistic Kids)

1. Jtom

   Rated 4 out of 5

   December 1, 2020

   Great book - with a major caveat

   I mostly love this book. It has an incredibly positive and upbeat approach to autism and the fact it’s written by someone who is autistic gives it a c...More

   I mostly love this book. It has an incredibly positive and upbeat approach to autism and the fact it’s written by someone who is autistic gives it a credibility not all books aimed at autistic children might have. It has made me feel so empowered to support my 10 year old son in the understanding his autistic identity. I’m really looking forward to exploring it with him - it is mostly a fantastic book.
   
   However, I dislike intensely the section on gender and transgender identities.
   
   The idea of gender is so regressive and basic - the idea that if my son likes things that are ‘female’ (really - what is that? Pink? Chocolate? Shoes?) this might make him trans is so dangerous. These sexist, regressive ideas about gender are not what we should be pushing on our young people - especially autistic young people. I want him to know that he is perfect and that nothing about him is a mistake.
   
   Happily the section on gender was easy to rip out. I did have to sacrifice a few pages on friendships but that was a price worth paying.
   
   If teens or young people need books or literature to help them explore gender dysphoria, I have no problem with that. But personally I will not expose my 10 year old to dangerous, misogynistic ideas about gender.

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   Katerina K.

   Rated 4 out of 5

   November 6, 2020

   Good for high-functioning asd people older than 12.

   This book would be useful for teenagers and adults with Asperger syndrome or high functioning ASD. It describes situations from the author’s point of ...More

   This book would be useful for teenagers and adults with Asperger syndrome or high functioning ASD. It describes situations from the author’s point of view, so they come from a personal experience. I enjoyed it, but for my son who is 10 with Asperger’s it’s hard, as he can’t put himself into other’s shoes.

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