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Life as a Late-Identified Autistic: A Collection of Essays Exploring Autism
When Jackie Schuld’s therapist suggested she might be autistic, she scoffed. She knew there was no way she could be autistic. She was in her mid-30s and ran her own therapy private practice. Everything she learned about autism in her Master’s program in mental health counseling didn’t apply to her. She could make excellent eye contact. She could engage in deep conversations. She could attend social gatherings. She could make it through abrupt changes and remain flexible.
How could she be autistic?
The more she learned about autism — how it internally impacts autistics and how it can present in women — the more she saw herself.
All those times she’d felt too much or thought too much started to make sense. She could see why she’d always felt — off .
As she talked with other autistics, read books, and studied articles, she pieced together a new picture of autism. She processed all of the information through her writing and art. This book is a collection of the essays through which she came to understand autism — and herself.
Her book explores why autism is commonly misunderstood and provides personal stories that illustrate the primary impacts of autism,
Mental characteristicsEmotional characteristicsSensory system characteristicsBody characteristicsPassions (special interests)SocializingAlthough she couldn’t see herself as autistic before, Jackie now knows without a doubt that she is autistic.
How could she be autistic?
The more she learned about autism — how it internally impacts autistics and how it can present in women — the more she saw herself.
All those times she’d felt too much or thought too much started to make sense. She could see why she’d always felt — off .
As she talked with other autistics, read books, and studied articles, she pieced together a new picture of autism. She processed all of the information through her writing and art. This book is a collection of the essays through which she came to understand autism — and herself.
Her book explores why autism is commonly misunderstood and provides personal stories that illustrate the primary impacts of autism,
Mental characteristicsEmotional characteristicsSensory system characteristicsBody characteristicsPassions (special interests)SocializingAlthough she couldn’t see herself as autistic before, Jackie now knows without a doubt that she is autistic.
194 pages, Paperback
Published January 30, 2024
49 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 7, 2024
First off, Jackie is a prolific writer, her essays are released daily often a couple at a time. The essays are always written in an approachable conversation style. This book is a compilation of many of them. However unlike many books that are crafted in this manner, Life as a Late Identified Autistic reads as a cohesive singular piece of work.
Her insights and stories of her journey and experiences paint a unique yet relatable picture of her life as an Autistic. As someone who is just recently diagnosed, I have read *many* autistic memoirs, Jackie’s book and the stories within are among my very favorites. Additionally, she is also diagnosed ADHD, which puts this book in rare company. As it stands currently I can count on one hand the books I’ve found written by someone who is AuDHD.
This book is laid out by the various autistic traits. It’s great for both those who think they might be on the spectrum and are looking for more information as well as Autistics looking for more stories to relate to.
It’s a quick read will worth your time. Highly recommend.
Her insights and stories of her journey and experiences paint a unique yet relatable picture of her life as an Autistic. As someone who is just recently diagnosed, I have read *many* autistic memoirs, Jackie’s book and the stories within are among my very favorites. Additionally, she is also diagnosed ADHD, which puts this book in rare company. As it stands currently I can count on one hand the books I’ve found written by someone who is AuDHD.
This book is laid out by the various autistic traits. It’s great for both those who think they might be on the spectrum and are looking for more information as well as Autistics looking for more stories to relate to.
It’s a quick read will worth your time. Highly recommend.
March 12, 2024
I found Jackie on Medium and felt such an immediate connection when reading her writing. I have always felt like the outside who just couldn't figure out how to make friends long term, and at 56, I figured it out. I am Autistic and it all makes sense now. This book talks about how her experiences are all her own, but incredibly similar in so many ways. Jackie writes from her heart and she is brutally honest, showing her vulnerability, which is where I feel the deepest connections. I am grateful to have figured myself out and thrilled to have found Jackie in the Autistic Community. Her writing is welcoming to all, and a great comfort to me. I highly recommend that you get this book for yourself if you are part of this amazing community or are lucky enough to care about someone with Autism. Thank you for the wise words, many laughs, and your art is lovely. ❤️
June 19, 2024
This is a great book for people with autism or people who think they have autism. I love it for three main reasons:
1. It’s written by a person who has autism. Everything they share is from personal experience.
2. The essays are short and easy to follow.
3. It includes Jackie’s amazing art.
1. It’s written by a person who has autism. Everything they share is from personal experience.
2. The essays are short and easy to follow.
3. It includes Jackie’s amazing art.
August 17, 2024
Jackie Schuld, a mental health counselor who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in her mid-30s, provides insight into what life is like for a person “on the spectrum.” The essays in Life as a Late-Diagnosed Autistic are short and written in a conversational style that is approachable and often fun.
[Image: Author Jackie Schuld]
Most of the material is about Schuld coming to terms with her diagnosis and how she approaches life with her neurodivergent mind. She makes much of the strengths that autism can bring - including a natural ability for thinking outside the box, creativity, and a tendency towards productive obsession. As Mary Roach wrote in her book Spook, “All good research-whether for science or for a book-is a form of obsession.”
[Image: Author Jackie Schuld]
And Schuld is certainly obsessive in her psychology research, giving the reader a wealth of information. She also gives insight into how to manage life in a neurotypical world - Schuld herself struggles with problems common to people with ASD such as sensory overload, difficulty understanding social cues, challenges controlling her emotional expression, and becoming easily fatigued and “burnt out.” She has structured her life to support her needs, such as making plenty of time for creating art, taking naps, limiting stimulation, and connecting with her family and friends. There is much that a person with ASD can learn from how she approaches her life.
[Image: Author Jackie Schuld]
As a warning, Life as a Late-Diagnosed Autistic is written entirely for and about people who have a “high functioning” form of ASD. They have what, starting in the 1990s, used to be called Asperger’s syndrome. These are individuals who can speak, read, write, and handle basic life skills, and who never would have been deemed autistic a couple of decades ago. Autism is a spectrum and people with “classic Autism” are much more profoundly disabled. That being said, this is a good book and I recommend it.
[Image: Author Jackie Schuld]
QUOTES
“I’m not broken; my brain just functions differently. And the more I accept that I have a high flow of emotions and always will, the better I feel.”
*
“Most unidentified autistics spend the majority of their lives feeling broken and off — feeling other. They try their best to behave in ways that fit with the world around them, but they feel more and more distant from it. They sever their connection with themselves as they try to please other people so that they can belong. The unidentified autistic ends up feeling empty and lost.”
*
“...it’s okay that my brain lights up like a Christmas tree all the time. I refer to it as ‘constellation thinking’ — where one thought suddenly inspires 100 connected thoughts. There was admittedly some grief that came with my autism identification: grief that I’ll always experience some of the more challenging aspects of being autistic.”
*
“Going through these [self-help] books filled me with immense compassion for my old self. I want to hug her and say, ‘You tried so hard…You tried and tried and tried to change — and now you can try just being you.’”
*
“So I want to remind myself that my experience is valid, and at the same time acknowledge that my brain’s perspective might not be accurate. The key — at least, for me — is not to force myself to process in the moment and risk making it all worse.”
*
“It’s often said too that autistics struggle to understand humor. In fact, we can be very funny. I’ve laughed until I’ve cried with fellow autistics. Admittedly, what I find funny can be very different from the things a neurotypical might find funny.”
*
***************************************************************************
[Image: Book Cover]
Citation:
Schuld, J. (2024). Life as a late-diagnosed autistic: A collection of essays exploring autism. Jackie Schuld. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C...
Title: Life as a Late-Diagnosed Autistic: A Collection of Essays Exploring Autism
Author(s): Jackie Schuld
Year: 2024
Genre: Nonfiction - Psychology, memoir
Page count: 196 pages
Date(s) read: 8/15/24-8/16/24
Book #161 in 2024
***************************************************************************
[Image: Author Jackie Schuld]
Most of the material is about Schuld coming to terms with her diagnosis and how she approaches life with her neurodivergent mind. She makes much of the strengths that autism can bring - including a natural ability for thinking outside the box, creativity, and a tendency towards productive obsession. As Mary Roach wrote in her book Spook, “All good research-whether for science or for a book-is a form of obsession.”
[Image: Author Jackie Schuld]
And Schuld is certainly obsessive in her psychology research, giving the reader a wealth of information. She also gives insight into how to manage life in a neurotypical world - Schuld herself struggles with problems common to people with ASD such as sensory overload, difficulty understanding social cues, challenges controlling her emotional expression, and becoming easily fatigued and “burnt out.” She has structured her life to support her needs, such as making plenty of time for creating art, taking naps, limiting stimulation, and connecting with her family and friends. There is much that a person with ASD can learn from how she approaches her life.
[Image: Author Jackie Schuld]
As a warning, Life as a Late-Diagnosed Autistic is written entirely for and about people who have a “high functioning” form of ASD. They have what, starting in the 1990s, used to be called Asperger’s syndrome. These are individuals who can speak, read, write, and handle basic life skills, and who never would have been deemed autistic a couple of decades ago. Autism is a spectrum and people with “classic Autism” are much more profoundly disabled. That being said, this is a good book and I recommend it.
[Image: Author Jackie Schuld]
QUOTES
“I’m not broken; my brain just functions differently. And the more I accept that I have a high flow of emotions and always will, the better I feel.”
*
“Most unidentified autistics spend the majority of their lives feeling broken and off — feeling other. They try their best to behave in ways that fit with the world around them, but they feel more and more distant from it. They sever their connection with themselves as they try to please other people so that they can belong. The unidentified autistic ends up feeling empty and lost.”
*
“...it’s okay that my brain lights up like a Christmas tree all the time. I refer to it as ‘constellation thinking’ — where one thought suddenly inspires 100 connected thoughts. There was admittedly some grief that came with my autism identification: grief that I’ll always experience some of the more challenging aspects of being autistic.”
*
“Going through these [self-help] books filled me with immense compassion for my old self. I want to hug her and say, ‘You tried so hard…You tried and tried and tried to change — and now you can try just being you.’”
*
“So I want to remind myself that my experience is valid, and at the same time acknowledge that my brain’s perspective might not be accurate. The key — at least, for me — is not to force myself to process in the moment and risk making it all worse.”
*
“It’s often said too that autistics struggle to understand humor. In fact, we can be very funny. I’ve laughed until I’ve cried with fellow autistics. Admittedly, what I find funny can be very different from the things a neurotypical might find funny.”
*
***************************************************************************
[Image: Book Cover]
Citation:
Schuld, J. (2024). Life as a late-diagnosed autistic: A collection of essays exploring autism. Jackie Schuld. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C...
Title: Life as a Late-Diagnosed Autistic: A Collection of Essays Exploring Autism
Author(s): Jackie Schuld
Year: 2024
Genre: Nonfiction - Psychology, memoir
Page count: 196 pages
Date(s) read: 8/15/24-8/16/24
Book #161 in 2024
***************************************************************************
March 19, 2024
Jackie is a wonderful writer. She talks about the highs and lows of late diagnosed autism. Her perspective is fresh and I could totally relate to everything she said. When she talks about owning so many books about overthinking, and then she realized that’s what autistic people do, I had to laugh. It’s refreshing to see yourself in these pages. Jackie is brilliant, funny, and this book is a great read.
March 23, 2024
I’m not alone.
Jackie Schuld shines a light onto her experiences coming to a late diagnosis of autism with grace, generosity and heart. Going through my own self-diagnosis, I’ve found a kindred in these pages. After loving 48 years feeling alone in this world, it’s an amazing thing to understand I’m not. And that Jackie lets us in with such openness and a desire to help others find connections and understand ourselves better, I cannot thank her enough!
Jackie Schuld shines a light onto her experiences coming to a late diagnosis of autism with grace, generosity and heart. Going through my own self-diagnosis, I’ve found a kindred in these pages. After loving 48 years feeling alone in this world, it’s an amazing thing to understand I’m not. And that Jackie lets us in with such openness and a desire to help others find connections and understand ourselves better, I cannot thank her enough!
March 13, 2024
I am a self-identified autistic therapist in the UK and have read loads of autistic biographies. This one is by far my favourite. It is an easy read and identifies lots of the subtleties of autism in women. It explains traits and the lived experience of being autistic in everyday life so simply. I identified with so much of the book and highlighted sections to re-read and also share with my clients in my private practice. I'm going to put this book on my recommendation list for clients. I love how it explores topic areas such as food, migraines, digestive issues - topics that are not often explored in other books by autistic writers.
(I would have liked the removal of the word 'essays' in the chapters as it felt a bit like the author had taken essays and stitched them together from their online essay writing, but that would be my only criticism).
(I would have liked the removal of the word 'essays' in the chapters as it felt a bit like the author had taken essays and stitched them together from their online essay writing, but that would be my only criticism).
March 20, 2024
Lots of interesting stories about autism and everyday consequences. Would read again sometime.
June 21, 2025
so many thoughts, experiences, and feelings that I hadn't been able to put into words
October 18, 2025
Easily relatable and quick to read. Looking forward to her next book!
March 13, 2025
I positively loved this collection of short, meaningful essays by a fellow auDHD woman. I can't say I've read any of the books about living as ND that felt so comforting and validating as Jackie's - and I have read a *lot* of the ND lit. Partly why I enjoyed reading her essays is because they are short and sweet, easy reading, but definitely not fluff: she gives us a lot to ponder as we attempt to make sense of our life experiences. And for any of our NT allies out there, she describes what it's like to live as an ND/auDHD in a NT world. Naturally, she can't and couldn't describe what it's like for all of us, but so much that she writes puts into words so perfectly many of the ways I struggle and wish I could tell to the NT people in my life. She doesn't deliver in a way that's overwhelming or triggering at all: she describes just enough. Which is hard to do for those of us who routinely over-explain. Her book (volume 1) is really reassuring, and gave me so much hope for living in a way that is self-defined. She has been busy writing other books since this one was published, and I am hopeful that she'll continue with other volumes.
March 26, 2024
As soon as I got the book in the post I could 'feel' a kindred spirit with stickers all over the parcel just like I do. I opened the book not planning to read straight away but was pleasantly invited to do so by what I read. I could feel her energy and had tears of recognition by page 2 or 3. I loved reading the experiences and could relate to so much of it. I've read a few books on autism but there felt like a barrier and a cold detachment. With this book I felt deeply connected and an energetic resonance. I can't wait to reread it. It's a beautiful book with art woven through it.
March 26, 2024
Jackie Schuld created a tremendous work in “Life As a Late-Identified Autistic!” A quick read- I finished it in two sittings- this is one of the most honest, most transparent reads I’ve accessed where the true experiences of folks with autism are concerned. I am grateful to have read and digested Jackie’s perspectives, as I know this collection of essays will undoubtedly benefit my counseling practice as I work with and support clients who identify as neurodivergent. Thanks for sharing yourself and your experiences, Jackie- our community is better for it!
March 26, 2024
There’s precious little writing about the high-functioning, late diagnosed autistic experience. Those of us who are, often wrangle a complex history of interpersonal and related trauma and a sense that we also have a very special and unique way of experiencing the world. Jackie’s writing about her own experiences helps elucidate what daily life as a late-diagnosed woman autistic is actually like. She offers hope, guidance, and community for those finding ways to thrive amidst the unique challenges of being autistic.
July 9, 2024
This is a great book for people with autism or people who think they have autism. I love it for three main reasons:
1. It’s written by a person who has autism. Everything Jackie shares is from personal experience.
2. The essays are short and easy to follow.
3. It includes Jackie’s amazing art.
1. It’s written by a person who has autism. Everything Jackie shares is from personal experience.
2. The essays are short and easy to follow.
3. It includes Jackie’s amazing art.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews