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The Subtle Spectrum: An Honest Account of Autistic Discovery, Relationships and Identity: An Honest Account of Autistic Discovery, Relationships and Identity
Am I autistic, or is autism something I suffer from? Should I come out, to my friends, to my family, to the people I work with? Should I drop the mask? How can I explain my experience to a neurotypical world? The Subtle Spectrum offers an exploration into the postdiagnostic landscape of autism and the transformative journey of one woman, from her awareness of difference, through acceptance, to an embracing of autistic identity and beyond as she questions the cultural identity of autism. Joanna’s narrative is enriched with insights from a range of diverse contributors, creating a reflective opportunity for people to gain a better understanding of the experience of being autistic. With a focus on relationships built across a neurodiverse divide, the book considers topics as broad as mental health, work opportunities and abuse, weaving theory and research with lived experience to give true insight into the life of an autistic person, both pre- and post- diagnosis. Written with a raw and engaging honesty, this is a crucial read for anybody who identifies as autistic as an adult or teenager, or anyone looking to support somebody exploring diagnosis. It will also provide an invaluable insight for social workers, educators and relationships counsellors working with autistic people.
302 pages, Paperback
Published June 14, 2021
7 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Grace
8 books1 followerJoanna is an international Sensory Engagement and Inclusion Specialist working to contribute to a future where people are understood in spite of their differences.
Joanna grew up at sea aboard a concrete boat designed and built by her parents. Once on land her childhood and teenage years were typified by passionate interests and obsessions.
Joanna has earned a Bachelors degree in Philosophy, from the University of Hull; a PGCE, from the University of St. Mark and St. John; and a Masters in Special Educational Needs, from the University of Nottingham. She is currently a PhD candidate/researcher at the University of Southampton in the area of Identity and Belonging for people with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities.
Joanna is a Sensory Engagement Specialist, trainer, author, and TEDx speaker. She is a qualified teacher and has worked in specialist and mainstream settings with students of all ages and abilities. Outside of the classroom Joanna has inspected schools provision for children with additional learning needs, written curriculum documents for local authorities, charities and NGOs and been a registered Foster Carer providing support for children with profound special needs and their families. She has also worked within adult care supporting staff and families in their provision for people with complex disabilities and Dementia.
Joanna set up The Sensory Projects in 2010 and in them has found a passion to take her through life. The Sensory Projects work to share the knowledge and creativity required to turn inexpensive items into effective tools for inclusion. Joanna is eternally grateful to the 159 backers of her successful Sensory Stories Kickstarter project who brought The Sensory Projects into the public arena.
Joanna lives in rural Cornwall with her young son, Heath (who is also a published author!)
Joanna is autistic.
Joanna grew up at sea aboard a concrete boat designed and built by her parents. Once on land her childhood and teenage years were typified by passionate interests and obsessions.
Joanna has earned a Bachelors degree in Philosophy, from the University of Hull; a PGCE, from the University of St. Mark and St. John; and a Masters in Special Educational Needs, from the University of Nottingham. She is currently a PhD candidate/researcher at the University of Southampton in the area of Identity and Belonging for people with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities.
Joanna is a Sensory Engagement Specialist, trainer, author, and TEDx speaker. She is a qualified teacher and has worked in specialist and mainstream settings with students of all ages and abilities. Outside of the classroom Joanna has inspected schools provision for children with additional learning needs, written curriculum documents for local authorities, charities and NGOs and been a registered Foster Carer providing support for children with profound special needs and their families. She has also worked within adult care supporting staff and families in their provision for people with complex disabilities and Dementia.
Joanna set up The Sensory Projects in 2010 and in them has found a passion to take her through life. The Sensory Projects work to share the knowledge and creativity required to turn inexpensive items into effective tools for inclusion. Joanna is eternally grateful to the 159 backers of her successful Sensory Stories Kickstarter project who brought The Sensory Projects into the public arena.
Joanna lives in rural Cornwall with her young son, Heath (who is also a published author!)
Joanna is autistic.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 1, 2023
Thank you JoAnna for this book. I have only recently, at 46, have been given a formal diagnosis of autism. While I have suspected as much for some time, I still struggle to accept it. Not that I don't want to be autistic, but that I look at myself and don't believe it. Reading your story, so full of contradictory feelings on the subject has allowed me to accept that just getting a diagnosis doesn't silence the voice in my head that tells me that I can't really be autistic.
That's the personal bit. For everyone else, this book chronicles the author's personal journey through her autistic identity. Her mind reminds me of mine, meandering this way and that, thoughts coming, but then veering off on another trajectory, and yet still maintaining a focus. This will not be to everyone's liking, but it makes sense to me.
And not everyone will be happy with the way she balances the good and the bad, wending her way through the subtleties of autism and neurodiversity as they weave into the neurotypical world. It's not about who is better or worse, or who is more capable or not. It's about learning to understand our differences, accepting these as actual differences and not just people being awkward. Learning to listen and learning that we can't always fix things. The world is a messy place, especially relationships, but for someone who is autistic, that's what makes life hard. But if we don't accept this, we can't make our peace with the world.
Having said all that, this book has definitely resonated with me. I had some real moments of clarity when I felt like I understood myself better. She takes the time to explain things not only from her own viewpoint, but giving other people the chance to share their stories and academics the chance to explain how an autistic brain works. She is well educated and this book is well researched. She includes a good reference section with loads of footnotes. As a post graduate student myself once, I have a love affair with footnotes, however, I do tend to get lost in them.
For anyone who is trying to understand their own autism, I recommend this book. Just remember, be gentle to yourself. Maybe one day the autism identity will come into focus and we will find solid ground on which to build our identity. Until then, we live in a subtle spectrum indeed.
That's the personal bit. For everyone else, this book chronicles the author's personal journey through her autistic identity. Her mind reminds me of mine, meandering this way and that, thoughts coming, but then veering off on another trajectory, and yet still maintaining a focus. This will not be to everyone's liking, but it makes sense to me.
And not everyone will be happy with the way she balances the good and the bad, wending her way through the subtleties of autism and neurodiversity as they weave into the neurotypical world. It's not about who is better or worse, or who is more capable or not. It's about learning to understand our differences, accepting these as actual differences and not just people being awkward. Learning to listen and learning that we can't always fix things. The world is a messy place, especially relationships, but for someone who is autistic, that's what makes life hard. But if we don't accept this, we can't make our peace with the world.
Having said all that, this book has definitely resonated with me. I had some real moments of clarity when I felt like I understood myself better. She takes the time to explain things not only from her own viewpoint, but giving other people the chance to share their stories and academics the chance to explain how an autistic brain works. She is well educated and this book is well researched. She includes a good reference section with loads of footnotes. As a post graduate student myself once, I have a love affair with footnotes, however, I do tend to get lost in them.
For anyone who is trying to understand their own autism, I recommend this book. Just remember, be gentle to yourself. Maybe one day the autism identity will come into focus and we will find solid ground on which to build our identity. Until then, we live in a subtle spectrum indeed.
December 28, 2021
This book was vulnerable and brave. An honest account of someone trying to muddle through a late diagnosis while not afraid to admit their own internal ableism and confusion over what it means to be autistic. This makes this book refreshing and insightful and often charming. I felt the author fiercely many times and appreciated how she showed her own growth both through her knowledge of autism and what this means to her personally as she navigates the many challenges in her personal and professional life.
Worth the read particularly for autistic women who don’t often have the opportunity to see themselves in print
Worth the read particularly for autistic women who don’t often have the opportunity to see themselves in print
March 14, 2022
Truly an honest account. It felt authentic and educational. I learnt so much about autistic people and myself from this book that I've booked an assessment for myself in April. I really feel as though JoAnna is me and I, am JoAnna.
July 31, 2022
A very brave book by Joanna Grace. Seeking to understand her innermost workings, something that few of us are able or willing to do, whether neurodivergent or neurotypical. An interesting and revealing read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews