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Am I Actually Autistic?: Your Guide to Processing the Identity Shock of a Late Autism Discover & Living Unmasked
When You Learn You're Autistic, Everything Changes.Late identification comes with grief, relief, and a thousand replays of your past. This is the identity shock no one warned you about. You’re not broken. You’re not alone. And this book is here to help you make sense of it all.
Written by Dr. Angela Kingdon, a late-diagnosed Autistic woman and host of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Am I Autistic? offers a powerful, affirming alternative to clinical gatekeeping. With humor, heart, and razor-sharp insight, Dr. Kingdon walks you through the signs of autism, the experience of identity shock, and the real challenges of impostor syndrome—all from inside the culture.
Inside, you’ll Clear, affirming steps to recognize and confidently confirm your Autistic identityPractical insights on defeating impostor syndrome, recognizing masking behaviors, and understanding co-occurring conditionsBrand new original research that definitively shows self-identification of Autistic traits is as accurate and valid as medical autism diagnosis.The top ten traits of Autistic culture that may finally explain your “too much-ness” and why embracing your Autistic identity can dramatically improve your mental, emotional, and physical health101 inspiring reasons to celebrate being Autistic, featuring beloved topics from The Autistic Culture PodcastWhether you’re formally diagnosed, self-identified, or still unsure, Am I Actually Autistic? will help you recognize yourself, reclaim your truth, connect with a culture that finally makes sense, and live the life you truly deserve.
Autistic Joy Starts Here.
If you would like to read or listen to this book for free, or get a printed copy for the price of printing and shipping, join my substack at AutisticCulture.substack.com. You can also buy the book at a reduced price on Books.by/AutisticCulture
Written by Dr. Angela Kingdon, a late-diagnosed Autistic woman and host of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Am I Autistic? offers a powerful, affirming alternative to clinical gatekeeping. With humor, heart, and razor-sharp insight, Dr. Kingdon walks you through the signs of autism, the experience of identity shock, and the real challenges of impostor syndrome—all from inside the culture.
Inside, you’ll Clear, affirming steps to recognize and confidently confirm your Autistic identityPractical insights on defeating impostor syndrome, recognizing masking behaviors, and understanding co-occurring conditionsBrand new original research that definitively shows self-identification of Autistic traits is as accurate and valid as medical autism diagnosis.The top ten traits of Autistic culture that may finally explain your “too much-ness” and why embracing your Autistic identity can dramatically improve your mental, emotional, and physical health101 inspiring reasons to celebrate being Autistic, featuring beloved topics from The Autistic Culture PodcastWhether you’re formally diagnosed, self-identified, or still unsure, Am I Actually Autistic? will help you recognize yourself, reclaim your truth, connect with a culture that finally makes sense, and live the life you truly deserve.
Autistic Joy Starts Here.
If you would like to read or listen to this book for free, or get a printed copy for the price of printing and shipping, join my substack at AutisticCulture.substack.com. You can also buy the book at a reduced price on Books.by/AutisticCulture
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 4, 2025
11 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 24, 2025
Endearing & Briiliant! A MUST READ if you are in the Autistic Closet!
This is a brilliant personal inquiry into whether or not you have Autistic traits. It reframes Autism as a multi-dimensional spectrum, but more importantly, it gives you a sense a Autistic pride.
Angela's authentic sharing of the challenges with being undiagnosed reshapes your thinking of autism. She shifts your thinking from a cold-hearted mental prognosis to a warm inquiry into powerful & emboldened aspects of yourself.
Most of all, she takes special care to honor, protect & care for this extraordinary community. Wonderful book.
This is a brilliant personal inquiry into whether or not you have Autistic traits. It reframes Autism as a multi-dimensional spectrum, but more importantly, it gives you a sense a Autistic pride.
Angela's authentic sharing of the challenges with being undiagnosed reshapes your thinking of autism. She shifts your thinking from a cold-hearted mental prognosis to a warm inquiry into powerful & emboldened aspects of yourself.
Most of all, she takes special care to honor, protect & care for this extraordinary community. Wonderful book.
January 1, 2026
3.5/4 ⭐️
If someone is new to the concept of "late identified", this is a pretty good introduction. I would have preferred more of a deep-dive into the DSM-5, but there are other books that fully explain the spectrum of ways the criteria can manifest. I was also a little back and forth on the "101" list. I'm sure it's meant to exemplify how Autistic culture is shared/ exists in modern society, but it kind of implies that some of the list items are definitely made by Autistic creators or that the person being mentioned is Autistic. They were sort of mixed together.. and are somewhat misleading. Overall, good as an audible book other than the inconsistent microphone quality.
If someone is new to the concept of "late identified", this is a pretty good introduction. I would have preferred more of a deep-dive into the DSM-5, but there are other books that fully explain the spectrum of ways the criteria can manifest. I was also a little back and forth on the "101" list. I'm sure it's meant to exemplify how Autistic culture is shared/ exists in modern society, but it kind of implies that some of the list items are definitely made by Autistic creators or that the person being mentioned is Autistic. They were sort of mixed together.. and are somewhat misleading. Overall, good as an audible book other than the inconsistent microphone quality.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews