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Someone Like Me: An anthology of Autistic gender-diverse and women writers
While the ‘ nerdy white man’ stereotype of Autism dominates in media and popular culture, other Autistic people miss out on seeing themselves, their unique experiences, their hardships and their triumphs. In Someone Like Me, edited by Clem Bastow and Jo Case, twenty-five Autistic gender-diverse and women writers explore their experiences – and explode stereotypes. This groundbreaking anthology ranges from sex, living room dance parties and the natural world to eating disorders, all-encompassing passions and religion. Autistic people of all kinds are invited to find company in these pages – and maybe even see themselves, too. Contributors include Fiona Wright, Sara Kian-Judge, CB Mako, Jess Ho, Kay Kerr, Khadija Gbla, Adele Dumont, Erin Riley, Shadia Hancock, Amanda Tink, Tash Agafonoff, Kai Ash, Anna Whateley and Kate Gordon.
320 pages, Paperback
Published March 4, 2025
31 people are currently reading
532 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 15, 2025
This was so good yay happy autism awareness month! The last chapter was my fav I’m glad they put it at the very end.
May 2, 2025
YAYAYAY AUTISTIC AUSTRALIAN WRITERS WHO ARE GENDER DIVERSE AND WOMEN!!!!!!!!!! THIS FELT LIKE THE WARMEST OF GROUP HUGS AND IM SO THANKFUL TO HAVE THIS BOOK BECAUSE WE NEED MORE AUTISTIC VOICES!!!
Seriously though, cannot stress reading this enough, I’ve never felt more seen in my life.
Seriously though, cannot stress reading this enough, I’ve never felt more seen in my life.
June 13, 2025
Dimi’s bookclub pick!! Different but interesting, 3.5 stars.
August 24, 2025
I loved this book. I am lost for words. What a captivating, insightful and validating experience this book was! I have come away with so much warmth and lots to read up on and research. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the weird, wonderful, vulnerable and raw array of experiences and thought processes throughout the book.
Here are my thoughts on each story (spoilerish - I mention the content of some essays so don’t read if you don’t want any themes or content of the essays) :
1 - wow wow wow. To not belief you have the illness. Mic drop. The highlight of treatment doing the opposite of whats needed. It is a terrible thing to be unseen and I am so glad it is getting less and less. So insightful.
2 - “..autistic folk are encouraged to work on fitting in, with less thought given to our own sense of belonging..”
yes just yes. Imposter across talking and listening.
3- wow what a snack of an essay. So true and so interesting. A thought provoker. My brain is now wurring.
4- eye opening, insightful, inspiring and a reminder of appreciation.
5 - what a beautiful and gentle piece about change. Really captured both the difficulties and the possibles.
6- ‘maybe “the point” isnt to live more in the literal sense.. but rather to be more alive in any given moment’. Crip time. I need to fail better. I love people like Rita and Tom, when a home and their being and way of life slows you down. What beautiful reflections. I need to make that bread and read James Odell’s work and Josef Peiper.
7 - YES!! “a bad timekeeper and a stickler for time” - seen. Never heard of Crip time until I read this book. The idea of having autistic heritage and ancestors did something for me.
8 - I want to go stargazing now. Beautiful, full of wonder and informative!
9 - my first graphic novel experience. What a fun way to read about a really relatable and validating experience. Art getting through the bad and burnout.
10 - an essay i never knew I needed. This spoke to me. Kerr is right why throw the baby out with the bathwater. I love dancing.
11- powerful and thought provoking. Empowering.
12- oh. Okay. Oops.
13 - interesting. It felt a bit of me in the end but the start went over me a bit and felt a bit repetitive and wordy.
14- I need to look into monotropism theory more and celebrate 4th March weird pride day.
15 - a different journey to my own. Very insightful and good reminder.
16 - i love nature and animals. What an insightful essay.
17- what a beautiful and painful essay. I wish we were friends at school.
18- i loved the writing style. Would have read more. Sads.
19- another interesting take of an essay. For some reason I always see the literature about a high sex drive and haven’t read the opposite so its interesting to hear another perspective. Go you.
20 - creme de la creme. Just yes
21- another interesting coming of autism story. I liked the focus on hair.
22- validating and made me reflect on my journey and processes.
23 - I’ve said it before but insightful and thought provoking.
24- sad and empowering. Encouraging to hear change can happened and people do listen but it is always too late or at a cost.
25 - What would I say to past me. Very impactful! Thought provoking and interesting to read someone elses story.
26- validating and helpful reminder.
27 - thought provoking and weird.
28- writing well sounds like a good goal. What fun thoughts to read.
29 - really interesting. I like the idea of relating to words more.
30 - my brain couldn’t fathom sadly. So I couldnt fully appreciate. Enjoyed the passion though.
31- kindred spirits is a beautiful concept. I loved the break down of the relationship and back stories I had never read into before. More for me to read up on!
Rating: 4.75/5
Overall I really really enjoyed this collection! This needs to be read by everyone. So grateful to Verve Books for sending me an eARC.
Here are my thoughts on each story (spoilerish - I mention the content of some essays so don’t read if you don’t want any themes or content of the essays) :
1 - wow wow wow. To not belief you have the illness. Mic drop. The highlight of treatment doing the opposite of whats needed. It is a terrible thing to be unseen and I am so glad it is getting less and less. So insightful.
2 - “..autistic folk are encouraged to work on fitting in, with less thought given to our own sense of belonging..”
yes just yes. Imposter across talking and listening.
3- wow what a snack of an essay. So true and so interesting. A thought provoker. My brain is now wurring.
4- eye opening, insightful, inspiring and a reminder of appreciation.
5 - what a beautiful and gentle piece about change. Really captured both the difficulties and the possibles.
6- ‘maybe “the point” isnt to live more in the literal sense.. but rather to be more alive in any given moment’. Crip time. I need to fail better. I love people like Rita and Tom, when a home and their being and way of life slows you down. What beautiful reflections. I need to make that bread and read James Odell’s work and Josef Peiper.
7 - YES!! “a bad timekeeper and a stickler for time” - seen. Never heard of Crip time until I read this book. The idea of having autistic heritage and ancestors did something for me.
8 - I want to go stargazing now. Beautiful, full of wonder and informative!
9 - my first graphic novel experience. What a fun way to read about a really relatable and validating experience. Art getting through the bad and burnout.
10 - an essay i never knew I needed. This spoke to me. Kerr is right why throw the baby out with the bathwater. I love dancing.
11- powerful and thought provoking. Empowering.
12- oh. Okay. Oops.
13 - interesting. It felt a bit of me in the end but the start went over me a bit and felt a bit repetitive and wordy.
14- I need to look into monotropism theory more and celebrate 4th March weird pride day.
15 - a different journey to my own. Very insightful and good reminder.
16 - i love nature and animals. What an insightful essay.
17- what a beautiful and painful essay. I wish we were friends at school.
18- i loved the writing style. Would have read more. Sads.
19- another interesting take of an essay. For some reason I always see the literature about a high sex drive and haven’t read the opposite so its interesting to hear another perspective. Go you.
20 - creme de la creme. Just yes
21- another interesting coming of autism story. I liked the focus on hair.
22- validating and made me reflect on my journey and processes.
23 - I’ve said it before but insightful and thought provoking.
24- sad and empowering. Encouraging to hear change can happened and people do listen but it is always too late or at a cost.
25 - What would I say to past me. Very impactful! Thought provoking and interesting to read someone elses story.
26- validating and helpful reminder.
27 - thought provoking and weird.
28- writing well sounds like a good goal. What fun thoughts to read.
29 - really interesting. I like the idea of relating to words more.
30 - my brain couldn’t fathom sadly. So I couldnt fully appreciate. Enjoyed the passion though.
31- kindred spirits is a beautiful concept. I loved the break down of the relationship and back stories I had never read into before. More for me to read up on!
Rating: 4.75/5
Overall I really really enjoyed this collection! This needs to be read by everyone. So grateful to Verve Books for sending me an eARC.
September 15, 2025
A gorgeous anthology of non-fiction from a variety of different autistic gender-diverse & women writers 🤍
This book includes a huge amount of different experiences, I felt so seen and I learnt so much.
I would recommend this for both for other autistic people, but also for those wanting to understand what it can be like being autistic a little bit better.
This book includes a huge amount of different experiences, I felt so seen and I learnt so much.
I would recommend this for both for other autistic people, but also for those wanting to understand what it can be like being autistic a little bit better.
July 12, 2025
21,000 stars. Thank you to contributors and editors for making this and putting it into the world.
Want to read
March 2, 2025This sounds like it’ll be an incredible read!
March 11, 2025
Absolutely fantastic to hear from so many and such a diverse range of voices. I think this should be one of the first books anyone - autistic or not - reads to understand more about autism.
May 20, 2025
In April 1970, Bernard Rimland, Ph. D., a psychologist and autism researcher, declared April as Autism Awareness Month. Dedicating a month to raising awareness, celebrating and advocating for inclusion of autism was long overdue. Currently Australia is home to a rich and diverse Autistic and autism community, with more than 290,900 individuals identifying as autistic; as the authors in “Someone Like Me” point out stereotypes are still often represented in the media.
In their introduction the editors Clem Bastow and Jo Case state that the aim of this collection is to challenge stereotypes; they certainly do that! The 25 autistic contributors to this collection, by sharing their personal experiences and intimate insights into their inner and outer worlds, demonstrate that there isn’t one way to be autistic. Despite several of them receiving their diagnosis after childhood, they all reveal a great self-awareness and often a belated understanding of their younger self.
For those wishing to gain a greater understanding of the complexities of Autism and neurodiversity, this book is an excellent source. The contributors give the reader an insight in their diverse life’s experience and their desire for acceptance by the community for their differences.
Articles in this anthology make the reader aware that some work is still to be done in training of the practitioners, who operate within our educational and medical systems; readers will be saddened and troubled by the school experiences of the writers.
reviewed by Nan van Dissel for Bluewolf Reviews and University of Queensland Press
In their introduction the editors Clem Bastow and Jo Case state that the aim of this collection is to challenge stereotypes; they certainly do that! The 25 autistic contributors to this collection, by sharing their personal experiences and intimate insights into their inner and outer worlds, demonstrate that there isn’t one way to be autistic. Despite several of them receiving their diagnosis after childhood, they all reveal a great self-awareness and often a belated understanding of their younger self.
For those wishing to gain a greater understanding of the complexities of Autism and neurodiversity, this book is an excellent source. The contributors give the reader an insight in their diverse life’s experience and their desire for acceptance by the community for their differences.
Articles in this anthology make the reader aware that some work is still to be done in training of the practitioners, who operate within our educational and medical systems; readers will be saddened and troubled by the school experiences of the writers.
reviewed by Nan van Dissel for Bluewolf Reviews and University of Queensland Press
September 23, 2025
3.75⭐️
First of all, I would just like to thank Verve Books for my lovely finished copy of “Someone Like Me” in exchange for an honest review.
When I saw that advanced reader copies were available for this anthology, I leaped at the chance to request one. As an autistic writer myself- or even just an autistic person- I have yet to see myself reflected in words on a page. Have yet to feel myself read a line from a book that perfectly captures the neurodivergent experience and think, “This is perfectly articulated and exactly like me.”
This anthology finally provided me with the opportunity to think those words.
Every essay in this anthology is important and interesting in its own way. But here are a few of my personal favourites- the ones that really captured how I feel and have always been unable to put into words:
- “When Everyone Else Has a Conversation” by Anna Whateley & Kate Gordon
- ”Recently I Was Diagnosed As Autistic” by Lauren Metzler
- “A Shamelessly Autistic Guide to Romantic Longing” by Jerico Mandybur
- “Fish Girl” by Lucy Rose
This is such an important and pertinent anthology. To see myself represented, and to read about others like me honestly nearly brought me to tears. It’s so refreshing to know you’re not alone, and that there isn’t something wrong with you, despite what you’ve been told all your life. That you’re just different.
Even if you aren’t autistic or neurodivergent, I think there is value to be found in these words for everyone. You might even learn something that you hadn’t considered before.
First of all, I would just like to thank Verve Books for my lovely finished copy of “Someone Like Me” in exchange for an honest review.
When I saw that advanced reader copies were available for this anthology, I leaped at the chance to request one. As an autistic writer myself- or even just an autistic person- I have yet to see myself reflected in words on a page. Have yet to feel myself read a line from a book that perfectly captures the neurodivergent experience and think, “This is perfectly articulated and exactly like me.”
This anthology finally provided me with the opportunity to think those words.
Every essay in this anthology is important and interesting in its own way. But here are a few of my personal favourites- the ones that really captured how I feel and have always been unable to put into words:
- “When Everyone Else Has a Conversation” by Anna Whateley & Kate Gordon
- ”Recently I Was Diagnosed As Autistic” by Lauren Metzler
- “A Shamelessly Autistic Guide to Romantic Longing” by Jerico Mandybur
- “Fish Girl” by Lucy Rose
This is such an important and pertinent anthology. To see myself represented, and to read about others like me honestly nearly brought me to tears. It’s so refreshing to know you’re not alone, and that there isn’t something wrong with you, despite what you’ve been told all your life. That you’re just different.
Even if you aren’t autistic or neurodivergent, I think there is value to be found in these words for everyone. You might even learn something that you hadn’t considered before.
September 22, 2025
The diversity within diversity
—
In this wide-ranging and varied collection, you’ll read and meet female and gender diverse autistic folks from around the world, each of whom has their own individual and original voice that opens up their worlds to you. In the introduction, the editors remind us that, ‘if you meet one Autistic person — you’ve met one Autistic person.’ Being Autistic, or if you prefer, neurodivergent, means being your own particular person, being one particular way, but the whole person is uniquely different from the next individual.
This UK edition includes additional contributions from six Autistic writers from the UK, Ireland and the USA, which helps to round out an already diverse collection of pieces in different forms and genres of non-fiction writing, with a hefty inclusion of medical terminology and other triggers, which the book warns of from the off.
The book shows the ways in which broader society (‘neurotypical’ and purposefully in quote marks) stigmatises Autistic people for being themselves, when there is no such thing as a standard way of thinking or acting or being. We are all neurodivergent from each other, and as soon as we start making social adjustments for that, the world might start improving for anyone who is being othered for being who they are.
Four and a half stars
—
In this wide-ranging and varied collection, you’ll read and meet female and gender diverse autistic folks from around the world, each of whom has their own individual and original voice that opens up their worlds to you. In the introduction, the editors remind us that, ‘if you meet one Autistic person — you’ve met one Autistic person.’ Being Autistic, or if you prefer, neurodivergent, means being your own particular person, being one particular way, but the whole person is uniquely different from the next individual.
This UK edition includes additional contributions from six Autistic writers from the UK, Ireland and the USA, which helps to round out an already diverse collection of pieces in different forms and genres of non-fiction writing, with a hefty inclusion of medical terminology and other triggers, which the book warns of from the off.
The book shows the ways in which broader society (‘neurotypical’ and purposefully in quote marks) stigmatises Autistic people for being themselves, when there is no such thing as a standard way of thinking or acting or being. We are all neurodivergent from each other, and as soon as we start making social adjustments for that, the world might start improving for anyone who is being othered for being who they are.
Four and a half stars
June 27, 2025
Someone Like Me edited by Clem Bastow and Jo Case
(No rating as it’s an anthology)
love love love! I was lucky enough to attend a panel at the #melbournewritersfestival for this and it was the most heartwarming, funny event with fab community turnout ❤️
These are the stories that have historically been erased from conversations about autism. The authors in this anthology all identify as autistic, as well as female or gender-diverse (many are Aussie). Contrary to popular media: not all autistic humans are men.
There is so much diversity within this pages which makes it extra meaningful and impactful. We hear from a range of support needs (no functioning labels here), cultures, age, sexual and gender identities. Some stories are funny and lighthearted, others are deep, poetic or illustrated, some focus directly on autism and some are less obvious. One of my favourites was ‘Autism Dark’, about how not every autistic person is innocent and palate-able; sometimes autism is gritty, ‘dark’, & challenging.
We are a diverse community (more diverse than non autistic people) and tired of being put into boxes that feel more like cages. This anthology captures that diversity brilliantly. I’m proud that a collection like this exists, to amplify the voices of those who have so much to say, but who have often been unheard.
Highly recommend to anyone. It’s a great book for autistic people but also to learn from the experiences of .those who may not be like yourself.
(No rating as it’s an anthology)
love love love! I was lucky enough to attend a panel at the #melbournewritersfestival for this and it was the most heartwarming, funny event with fab community turnout ❤️
These are the stories that have historically been erased from conversations about autism. The authors in this anthology all identify as autistic, as well as female or gender-diverse (many are Aussie). Contrary to popular media: not all autistic humans are men.
There is so much diversity within this pages which makes it extra meaningful and impactful. We hear from a range of support needs (no functioning labels here), cultures, age, sexual and gender identities. Some stories are funny and lighthearted, others are deep, poetic or illustrated, some focus directly on autism and some are less obvious. One of my favourites was ‘Autism Dark’, about how not every autistic person is innocent and palate-able; sometimes autism is gritty, ‘dark’, & challenging.
We are a diverse community (more diverse than non autistic people) and tired of being put into boxes that feel more like cages. This anthology captures that diversity brilliantly. I’m proud that a collection like this exists, to amplify the voices of those who have so much to say, but who have often been unheard.
Highly recommend to anyone. It’s a great book for autistic people but also to learn from the experiences of .those who may not be like yourself.
October 19, 2025
The more memoirs and autobiographical stories I read written by autistic women, the less I feel connected to the autistic community. I still haven't come across someone whose experience I really, truly click with. Perhaps it's due to the contradictory blend of strengths and quirks that my AuDHD gives me? Perhaps it's a thorough dose of privilege? Anyway, I enjoyed most of the essays in this anthology (Alison Sampson's, Adele Dumont's and LT's experiences were most interesting to me) but I'm still looking for "someone like me".
September 2, 2025
I enjoyed reading all the different experiences of the autistic writers. Some essays felt relatable to me, while others talked about things I had no knowledge off, but gave me hope that everyone can find a place to be accepted.
I won’t publicly pick out my favourites because it’s not fair to the people I won’t mention.
I think everyone should read this as it covers a lot more ground than the main autism symptoms that you will find online, showing just how complex autism can be.
I won’t publicly pick out my favourites because it’s not fair to the people I won’t mention.
I think everyone should read this as it covers a lot more ground than the main autism symptoms that you will find online, showing just how complex autism can be.
June 20, 2025
This diverse set of stories was comforting, validating, inspiring, and creative. It was really nice to read experiences from all over that reflected my own, that celebrated the (sometimes life-long) journey so many of us go on to understand our brains and bodies, and that helped expand my knowledge as well.
December 6, 2025
I really enjoy anthologies like this that give voice to a range of different experiences and perspectives on the ‘same’ issue. Deepened my understanding of people’s experiences of living with autism and gave me some insights into different ways of being. Well selected and edited too, I really liked the diversity of genre and style in the writings.
March 29, 2025
I read it in a day - one of the first books to include POC voices into the mix. Like the editors, I hope, that there are more anthologies like these. I also hope there are even more diverse voices in future anthologies, especially, across class/social/professional status.
November 22, 2025
A very good book indeed. My wife is Autistic and she passed this to me afterwards.
If I am honest, I think in some ways this is a bit of a niche market for a book hence the 4 star, but it is very, very good still and defo is a book to jump in and out off.
If I am honest, I think in some ways this is a bit of a niche market for a book hence the 4 star, but it is very, very good still and defo is a book to jump in and out off.
July 14, 2025
It's a very important book!🩷💚
August 24, 2025
they girlbossed, gaslit, gatekept? inspired me to immigrate to Australia despite them banning Autists or whatever
September 14, 2025
I need more books like this one but less sugar-coated.
October 28, 2025
3.5 stars
December 18, 2025
A tricky book to rate because it is a collection of work from different authors. Some I really resonated with and some I didn’t, but that’s really the point of the book, to find “someone like me”.
July 9, 2025
AVOID THE AUDIOBOOK
Given that many autistic people don't like change/surprises, are detail-focused, and have sensory issues, I cannot fathom why somebody made the decision to have the majority of this Australian book narrated by Americans. I found it entirely off-putting, especially the repeated mispronunciations of place names and other Australianisms. The American narration also ruined the tone of many of the chapters; where the text itself is clearly sarcastic or self-deprecating, the American voices tend to sound more humourless and self-aggrandising. Very disappointing.
Given that many autistic people don't like change/surprises, are detail-focused, and have sensory issues, I cannot fathom why somebody made the decision to have the majority of this Australian book narrated by Americans. I found it entirely off-putting, especially the repeated mispronunciations of place names and other Australianisms. The American narration also ruined the tone of many of the chapters; where the text itself is clearly sarcastic or self-deprecating, the American voices tend to sound more humourless and self-aggrandising. Very disappointing.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews