Camouflage
The Hidden Lives of Autistic Women
Sarah Bargiela author Sophie Standing illustrator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Published:21st Mar '19
Should be back in stock very soon
This graphic book provides a deep dive into autism in women and girls, highlighting the need for understanding and supportive environments. Camouflage is a valuable resource.
In Camouflage, readers are invited to explore the often overlooked condition of autism in women and girls through an engaging and beautifully illustrated graphic format. This expertly researched work serves as an essential resource for those seeking to understand the unique challenges faced by autistic females. The book emphasizes the importance of creating safer and more accommodating environments, showcasing how gender plays a crucial role in the experience of autism.
The narrative delves into the complexities of autism as it manifests in women and girls, a subject that remains widely misunderstood and frequently misrepresented. By incorporating real-life case studies, Camouflage offers invaluable insights into the daily lives and thoughts of autistic women. The illustrations beautifully complement the text, guiding readers through the intricacies of social interactions, friendships, and the significance of special interests.
With a blend of fun, sensitivity, and informative content, this graphic novel stands out as a remarkable resource. It not only sheds light on gender’s interaction with autism but also provides practical guidance on fostering supportive and inclusive environments for women on the spectrum. Overall, Camouflage is both an enlightening and visually captivating read that aims to broaden understanding and acceptance of female autism.
As a medical comic, an educational comic, it's really well done, imparting knowledge with ease, simple, clear, effective. Using comics for this (and make no mistake, this is, definitely, a comic), is a perfect fit, getting factual information through to many who simply either wouldn't be able to, or more likely, wouldn't wish to, access it through plain text... When it comes to autism, no matter how aware we think we are, there's always more to discover. Which is just what Camouflage does very well, breaking down the subject with a clarity and simplicity, yet without sparing any factual details or the personal experiences of women with autism. I guarantee that you'll finish Camouflage with a better understanding of an important issue. And in that sense, Camouflage is a hugely successful thing... Hopefully, this will be something that will be embraced by schools, libraries, medical practices, and should be an essential read for anyone with autism, or anyone affected by autism.
And frankly, given that we're all on the spectrum somewhere, you will, definitely, know someone affected by autism. Isn't it time you knew a little more?
Using a combination of intriguing science facts and moving personal accounts, psychologist Bargiela explains why doctors more rarely identify autism in women than in men. Beginning with the history of autism research, Bargiela shows that studies don't focus enough on the differences between men's and women's brains and skills, such as women's greater talent for 'social mimicry,' and therefore miss the ways autism manifests in women. Bargiela ensures that the medical information is understandable, and when potentially confusing terms arise, quick and concise footnotes are provided. She includes interviews with three autistic women, in which she asked each the same four questions about her life experiences. The responses are revealing; one woman says her assumption that her romantic partners are truthful makes her vulnerable to those who want to take advantage of her. Standing's art is subtle, enhancing the information being shared without distracting from the subject matter. The artwork is reminiscent of art deco, with distinct illustrations and a calming color palette. This informative work has insights for those familiar with or new to autism studies, and readers will feel the interviews add an important perspective. -- Publishers Weekly
A fantastic, easy-to-digest book for anyone hoping to understand how we can create a safer, more accommodating environment for women on the spectrum. -- Bonnie Gifford * Happif
ISBN: 9781785925665
Dimensions: 236mm x 174mm x 10mm
Weight: 260g
48 pages