Girl Unmasked
The Sunday Times Bestseller: How Uncovering My Autism Saved My Life
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Octopus Publishing Group
Published:28th Mar '24
Should be back in stock very soon
Emily's Girl Unmasked is a powerful memoir about her journey with undiagnosed autism, exploring struggles, resilience, and self-acceptance.
In Girl Unmasked, Emily offers a deeply personal account of her journey through adolescence as a girl grappling with undiagnosed autism. She presents her experiences with remarkable honesty, detailing the internal struggles that made her feel different from her peers. As she navigates the complexities of school life, Emily reveals how her love for books and imagination provided a much-needed escape from the overwhelming anxiety and pressures she faced daily. The memoir captures the essence of feeling lost in a world that often overlooks the nuances of mental health and neurodiversity.
At the age of 16, Emily finally receives her diagnosis, marking a pivotal moment in her life. This revelation serves as both a relief and a challenge, as she reflects on the years leading up to this point. The memoir does not shy away from the darker aspects of her journey, including the impact of OCD and the failures of a system that was ill-equipped to support her. Through her narrative, she highlights the importance of understanding and compassion in addressing the needs of autistic individuals, making her story a crucial read for mental health professionals and those seeking to better understand autism.
Ultimately, Girl Unmasked is a testament to resilience and the power of self-acceptance. Emily's journey is not just about her struggles but also about the support she found in her family and friends. As she transforms her pain into purpose, becoming a mental health nurse, Emily inspires readers to embrace their differences and strive for understanding in a world that often feels isolating. Her story is a reminder that with the right support, it is possible to thrive and find one's authentic self.
Emily's Girl Unmasked is a welcome addition to the literature on Autistic masking and unmasking that I'm sure will bring so many readers self-recognition and comfort. For far too long, Autistic gender minorities, women, and other marginalized groups have had to hide our differences -- by celebrating hers and baring her story, Emily helps empower a growing movement of unmasked Autistics to better accept themselves -- Devon Price
Emily's moving book is a powerful testimony that shines a light on the continued failure of health services to provide any kind of meaningful improvement for autistic people. Should be essential reading for mental health professionals and anyone with autism in their lives. -- Fern Brady
Vulnerable, affecting and deeply personal, this book will go from a message in a bottle to a rallying cry for many autistic women, girls and young people. We are not alone. We have never been alone. A beautiful testament from one of our most amazing young advocates. -- Elle McNicoll, bestselling author
Emily has produced a magnificent read which manages to be informative, engaging, sad and uplifting all at the same time. Whether you're discovering that you're autistic yourself or you simply want to understand autistic people better, this is a must-read. Emily's story shows both the potential tragedy of being unrecognised as autistic in a world that's not designed for us and the revelation that understanding you're autistic can be, and she has been brave enough to talk about her experiences to help others. -- Cathy Wassell, CEO Autistic Girls Network charity & author of Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person.
A brilliant, thorough exploration of autistic experience, delivered with humanity, compassion and vivid clarity. -- Pete Wharmby, author of Untypical
The book I wish I'd been able to read when I was younger -- Sara Gibbs, author of Drama Queen
ISBN: 9781800961395
Dimensions: 218mm x 142mm x 30mm
Weight: 400g
288 pages