Autistic and Black

by Kala Allen Omeiza

"It's time we bring forward Black autistic pain points and celebrate the triumphs of ourselves, family members, and organizations that care for these individuals. Through following the real stories of others from around the world, I hope fellow Black and autistic individuals will be empowered to realize that being Black and autistic is enough." In this powerful insight into the lives of Black autistic people, Kala Allen Omeiza brings together a community of voices from across the world, spanning religions, sexuality and social economic status to provide a deep and rich understanding of what it means to be autistic and Black. Exploring everything from self-love and appreciation, to the harsh realities of police brutality, anti-Black racism, and barriers to care, as well as amplifying the voices of the inspiring advocates who actively work towards change, protection, and acceptance for themselves and others, this book is an empowering force, reminding you that as a Black autistic person, you are enough.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction, Disability, Race, Psychology, Anthologies, African American

224 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2024

Reviews

[Kala]

Hi fellow readers, I can't believe this book is finally out in the wild today!

For those Black and autistic, I hope you feel seen. For those not, I hope you've learned something new from our stories that will help when meeting others different from yourselves.

Thanks for your interest, and happy reading!

Kala Omeiza

[Ewuramba Sackey-Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a powerful insight into the lives of Black Autistic people. I found the diverse voices sharing their journeys and experiences very profound. The author interviewed 20 individuals with diverse backgrounds across the globe, sharing their experiences of life for black autistic people. This body of work explored some of the harsh realities that Black autistic people face in their everyday lives. This is a very important body of work; the author did a great job piecing it together.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-needed and long overdue book on the experiences of Black Autistic people.

A must read for any aspiring advocate and ally of Black people, Autistic people and of course those who live at the intersection.

[Emily Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far too often, Black autistic people’s voices are not listened to or uplifted. This book is a very important read. Kala Allen Omeiza tells the stories of a variety of Black autistic people around the world, whilst presenting us with hard hitting truths: Black autistic people are less likely to receive an autism diagnosis, ‘Black and Brown autistic youth are often scolded and disciplined much more harshly than others’ and ‘to be a Black autistic male means that one’s sense of childhood is cut short, and the need to be hyper-aware of your surroundings to avoid violence and abuse is frequent’, just to name a few. This should be read by healthcare professionals, educators, autistic people, researchers and anyone involved in autism advocacy and education.

[Shanda Scherdin · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s so much happening in the understanding of neurodivergence, especially as we learn from actually autistic advocates — and amplify the perspectives and stories of those in the community who are not white, cis-gender males. (As historically, our understanding and diagnostic criteria have been informed ONLY by studying that population and turns out there’s a much broader range of autistic experience than that told us.) I’m so thankful for this collection of autistic stories from Black people around the world, spanning genders and religions and cultures. Being autistic is not just one thing, and the world will be better as more and more of us understand and value a true spectrum of autistic experience.

[Amy Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely stunning and insightful book. A must read for anyone with an interest in autism, and honestly even more of a must-read for those without (because lets face it, they probably need it even more). This book invites you in to the lives of so many people, creating a space to find shared experiences, and to recognise individual and intersectional experiences that you might never know yourself. A powerful (and much needed) addition to the autism/autistic literature, and a triumph.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope white autistics out there will read this book! Our Black neurokin have not felt welcomed into our community, and this book offers a wide variety of perspectives that can help us all understand better what Black autistics face so we can offer them the support they deserve.

[Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Autistic and Black: Our Experiences of Growth, Progress, and Empowerment, Kala Allen Omieza gives us an unprecedented book about the Black autistic experience - one that is often overlooked in autism research and literature. A well-researched text, in the literature she references and the personal narratives of her own and gathered from Black autistics across the globe. Readers become privy to how cultural differences influence Black autistic lived experiences, from their interpersonal relationships to their interactions with medical and education systems. Omieza is a natural storyteller, and Autistic and Black takes its rightful place as a piece of the autistic canon. A must read for autistic people, families, researchers, and educators.

[Clarissa]

read for uni

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and hearing from the multiple perspectives of different people sharing similar identities. I thought it was powerful that it was a collection of interviews, rather than just facts/statistics, since the experience is something personal that can't be defined by numbers. It is well written and I would recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book! Kala does such a wonderful job of exploring intersectionality of autism and other identities, such as race and gender. I love the focus on sharing people’s lived experiences.

[Larisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned a great deal about the countless research, case studies, and blog posts showing autistic individuals reporting high rates of trauma and abuse in schools and mental health problems for years to come.  

[Chrisanne (Ez) Ayers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the first book I read where I felt seen. I could relate to so many of the stories as a Black autistic person myself. It gave me hope, and I will definitely be rereading it. I’m so grateful this book exists.

[AD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review - AUTISTIC and BLACK Our experiences of growth, progress, and empowerment by Kala Allen Omeiza

If you follow my reviews you might have noticed, I sometimes find it confusing if the author uses a mixture of Identity first and person first language.

There are many nuances and I respect peoples choice. From reading this book I've come to realise that perhaps my view has been somewhat tainted by privilege.

You may have seen me mention mantras I try to live by “It shouldn't have to happen to you to matter to you” and “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

It is books like this that help me to know better. I have never read a book to capture intersectionality as well as this does. It captures many cultural differences and how they influence Black Autistic lived experience.
Most books I've read about Autism mainly reflect the experience of white Autistic people. So I feel this is an important book that everyone can learn from.

The author does a great job of portraying and accommodating different communication styles throughout the book. I found myself thoroughly engaged throughout, so much so I finished reading it in less than 24 hours. I didn't want to put it down!

I've also learned how varied peoples understanding and experiences are across the globe. More than I had even begun to understand. This reminds me how important it is to stop, think, listen to, learn and respect peoples views through a more intersectional lens.

“Intersectionality is about recognising the necessity to acknowledge everything about an identity that marginalises a person”.

I would reccomend this book to anyone looking to further understand Autism, intersectionality and Black Autistic lived experience.

[Cristan✨🪐 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book and give it a good rating, but I found the organization of it confusing and the audiobook excruciating (to listen to). Since I couldn’t find the audiobook anywhere else except on Audible, I endured the entire voiceover experience. However, it needs to be edited for sniffles, loud breathing, licking lips, and other mouth sounds that are excruciating to hear over and over (throughout the entire audiobook). This needs to be re-recorded because it triggers misophonia.

I didn’t realize this was more like a memoir from different people’s viewpoints rather than a book discussing the title topic with interviews added for context. Having sections within chapters jump back and forth between different interviews was confusing. It would have been great to hear each person separately in a dedicated chapter sharing their stories instead.

Although I found the stories inspiring, enlightening, and essential for a listener to learn from and/or relate to, other interview details didn’t need to be included to get the message across. I read this as a book of the month for an Autistic BIPOC Book Club, and unfortunately, we all felt the same way about this.

[Luci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is invaluable to the black autistic community and in helping others not only to better understand individuals with autism, but recognize that they are humans just like the rest of us and deserving of respect, education, and the proper accommodations to succeed. I related to many elements of stories in this book and am glad I happened to see it in the library and pick it up. I only gave it a 4.5 because there were some confusing elements such as certain acronyms and terms getting definitions (like HBCU and PWI) but other lesser known terms were not defined such as prosody, which I had to look up for myself. I also found myself confused at times with who was who as the stories of different people lasted only a paragraph or two before moving on to the next person's story and then back to the original person before a page or so at passed. The entire book was not like this, but there were times when it happened and I found it difficult to concentrate on and remember details from some of the stories. Other than that and times that could have benefitted from more editing, this was a great and valuable work.

[Puneet Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, this book is all about what it's like to be Black and autistic. It's got a bunch of different stories from people all over the world, and it really gets into the nitty-gritty of what it's like to be both Black and on the autism spectrum. It talks about everything from loving yourself to dealing with the harsh realities of police brutality and not getting the care you need.

The book is really well-written and it's got a lot of research behind it. It's not just about autism or being Black, but it really digs deep into how these two things come together and impact people's lives.

I think "Autistic and Black" is a must-read. It's one of those books that makes you think and feel, you know? It's not just about understanding autism or Black experiences, but about understanding how these two things can mix together in some really unique and powerful ways. If you're looking for a book that's going to make you see the world a little differently, this is definitely one to check out.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've not finished it yet, but already I'm finding this book extremely...relatable. As a biracial/Black individual, diagnosed with ADHD in my twenties, and highly suspicious of being Autistic as well, some years after, there are a lot of shared experiences that feel like looking into a mirror of my younger years. If it's as good as it has been already throughout, I'm sending this to folks. Hopefully, having studies and research involved will better communicate to the medical professionals in my family.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

my expectations going in were different, but for what this book is it was good, helpful.

(i was expecting a more thorough discussion of how being black with autism shaped the lives of these individuals on a daily basis, but this was more of a wider perspective on the specific lives of the individuals interviewed. there were one or two bios in here that fit more closely with my expectations.)

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review pending

[Sam Peeters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading Autistic and Black by Kala Allen Omeiza was an enlightening and thought-provoking experience. This book delves into the often-overlooked intersection of race, neurodiversity, and identity, offering personal stories and critical insights that challenge readers to expand their perspectives on inclusion and justice.

The book begins with a compelling introduction rooted in the concept of Ujima, a Swahili term meaning "Collective Work and Responsibility," as introduced in Kwanzaa celebrations. This principle becomes the framework for the book's call to action: improving the well-being and visibility of Black autistic individuals as a shared societal effort. Allen Omeiza masterfully ties this ethos into the narrative, ensuring that the themes of collective responsibility and solidarity remain central throughout.

The author’s personal story as a Black woman diagnosed later in life sets the tone, weaving her struggles and triumphs into a broader discussion of societal barriers and systemic inequities. Her voice is authentic and empathetic, drawing connections to other marginalized communities and emphasizing the importance of shared accountability.

The book is divided into three sections: Growth, Progress, and Empowerment, each exploring different dimensions of the Black autistic experience:

Growth focuses on personal development, with stories like Olivia Brown’s journey through trauma and self-discovery and Ndumi, a non-speaking autistic child in South Africa, highlighting the pivotal role of communication in self-acceptance. These narratives underscore how inner struggles and external challenges intertwine in the pursuit of growth.
Progress examines the layered complexities of identity, faith, and community. From reconciling autism and Ramadan to the resonant context of Black Lives Matter, this section delves into the dual marginalization Black autistic individuals often face.
Empowerment emphasizes resilience and community-driven strength. Stories such as Nicknames for Stigma and Connected and Unmasked showcase how individuals find and harness their power, not just for personal growth but to uplift their communities as well.

While the book excels in sharing impactful personal stories, there are moments where I felt the narrative could have delved deeper into the structural and historical roots of the challenges Black autistic individuals face. Additionally, the strong emphasis on individual empowerment occasionally overshadows the broader need for systemic change and collective activism. These aspects, while not diminishing the book's overall value, could have added further nuance to its arguments.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its ability to provoke reflection. As an white, male and lower middle class autistic reader, I found myself questioning my assumptions and biases, considering how I can contribute to a more inclusive society. However, the subtitle, "Our Experiences of Growth, Progress, and Empowerment," raises a critical question: Who exactly is included in "our"? The voices selected for inclusion, while impactful, may not represent the full spectrum of the Black autistic experience.

Despite these limitations, Autistic and Black is an essential read for anyone interested in the intersections of race, neurodiversity, and social justice. It offers valuable insights while urging readers to recognize the shared responsibility in fostering inclusion and equity. This book is not only a collection of experiences but a heartfelt plea for empathy, understanding, and collective action.

Kala Allen Omeiza reminds us that creating a just society requires more than policy shifts—it demands a commitment to listening, learning, and working together. This book is a step forward in that journey, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of these vital issues.

This book review appeared first in Dutch on the Belgian blog Tistje.com

[Amira Mensah · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Autistic & Black, Kala Allen Omeiza, a Pan-African Neurodiversity Advocate provides insights into the varied experiences of being both Autistic and Black. Through narrative storytelling and academic research, Kala educates readers about the Autism spectrum, diagnoses and the intersection of race and neurodiversity. This book is extremely well written and informative, I learned so much and became connected to the individuals featured this book.

[Patrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking and poignant stories of Black , autistic individuals from around the globe. Loved meeting these people through the author’s eyes and hearing their stories. Some will stay with me for a long time. Thank you for sharing their trials and their triumphs as they navigate this neurotypical world that frequently doesn’t recognize autism in nonwhite individuals.