The Awesome Autistic Guide for Trans Teens

by Yenn Purkis, Sam Rose

Calling all awesome autistic trans teens! Yenn Purkis and Sam Rose want you to live your best authentic life - and this handy book will show you how!

With helpful explanations, tips and activities, plus examples of famous trans and gender divergent people on the autism spectrum, this user-friendly guide will help you to navigate the world as an awesome autistic trans teen.

Covering a huge range of topics including coming out, masking, different gender identities, changing your name, common issues trans and gender divergent people face and ways to help overcome them, building a sense of pride and much, much more, it will empower you to value yourself and thrive exactly as you are.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Transgender, Disability, Self Help

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Serena ♡]

A review from a queer nd teenager:

I received this arc in exchange for a review (thanks NetGalley)

The information in here is really good and educational, but when you’re an (cis/hetero/non-autistic) adult trying to grasp onto this new feminist wave, or even a child, the information may be objectively good but you won’t be able to use it.

Pros:
The two writers are both autistic and trans and so I was able to let my guard down and trust them on the information they gave (which is all good). But it really doesn’t go very far in depth.

Cons:
The main problem I had with this book is that it’s just too hard and too easy at the same time. It treats the reader like a child, but then proceeds to explain pretty hard terms (if you come from a community/background with a lot of internalized discrimination) with other terms that are hard to grasp.

Example:

Saying “Gender is socially constructed” is not enough of an explanation.

And one I didn’t expect to be handled so nonchalantly, since I find most people struggle with this one.

If I were still an unknowing, ignorant child I would have ended up with even more questions after reading this small book.

Of course today-year-old me knows what this particular sentence means in practice, but I don’t think many other readers will get this on their first try from reading this.

In conclusion: the information is good and honest, but the way of delivery is questionable and not fully on the level of children, teenagers or adults, but rather a mix of them which makes it hard to read for everyone.

[Sarah-Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked about this book:
• Upbeat tone
• Takes absolutely nothing for granted and anticipates questions
• Non-excessive redundancy so it's easier to pick up and use
• Offers practice scripts for some situations
• Embraces broad definitions of both autism and trans/nonbinary identity

What I didn't like about this book
• Mostly I just wanted more, more more—it's pretty brief and bare-bones

What I don't like about this world
• That we need books like this (but I'm glad they exist)
• That life is getting more hostile toward trans teens and supportive family members
• That we need a section on bullying
• That the available pronouns don't match our actual diversity
• That cis-hetero-patriarchal structures exist all over the place, sending out messages about who does and doesn't belong.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

[Harri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Awesome Autistic Guide for Trans Teens is a self help book written by autistic and trans writers. It gives a basic overview of what it means to be trans and what it means to be autistic, and everything is explained clearly and simply.

The book features activities, making it engaging for teens, with a structure that will help autistic teens get the most from it. There are helpful scripts for social situations such as coming out or encountering rude questions, which I wish I'd had when I was a teen! There are also examples of autistic and trans role models, giving trans autistic teens role models, and showing them that they aren't alone, and that they can achieve their potential.

At times, the way topics are treated with a broad overview sometimes feels a little vague, and the book expects teen to have the ability to do their own research. Obviously many will be able to, but there are varying levels of disability amongst autistic people so some teens may need more help than others. Unfortunately the vagueness is probably an unavoidable side effect of trying to make the book apply to as many geographical regions as possible, and there are some further resources provided at the back of the book.

My favourite thing about this book is that it doesn't describe autism as a negative or deficit. Instead, autism is described using positive or neutral language. 'Passionate interests' rather than restrictive, 'heightened sensory experiences', 'logical approach to life'. This is super refreshing. It's really nice to read something that doesn't pathologise autism.

Given the way that people have been attacking the trans community lately, and actively trying to stop autistic trans people from accessing transition, a book like this is a blessing.

[Aquari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4/5 stars

I rarely read non-fiction books but as an autistic non-binary teen, I was curious about the information.

I knew a lot of the information in this book but I think if you’re just starting to explore your identity this will be helpful. Immediately you know the information will be given with care because both authors are autistic and trans.

While I knew a lot of the information getting in I believe this book could be incredibly helpful to kids just starting to question their gender identity, parents that want a little more insight into what their teen is going through, or people who just want to learn more about being trans and autistic. There are many helpful terms and explanations, as well as some organizations you can reach out to. I do believe it might leave you with more questions in the end but I do think this is a good place to start.

Overall, I think the book is helpful and I definitely recommend it.

[iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing I reccomend to any autistic trans teens, or just anyone in general. it was an easy read and good to just pick up and put down whenever, and had some really good tips. Many people I know plan on reading it soon and I think it's really nice to see a book representing people

[sunflowers and storms (Sofia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

First, I would like to thank the possibility to read this book! As someone questioning their gender, this book was somewhat helpful and was another piece to add to my inner discourse surrounding gender presentation and neurodivergency. I would like to start by acknowledging the tone of the book. At first, I thought it might have been too soft, not addressing the kind of discrimination and trauma that both autistic people and trans people face. But then, I understood that I was doing that thing that adults do, the “I’m only preparing them for the violence of the real world” and I stepped back. Now, I believe the tone is brilliant! Autistic trans kids deserve kindness, softness and a moment of silence and since this guide will also be read by parents, educators and practitioners, it models this kindness in their treatment. It's interesting the things you discover when reading. Continuing with the positives, I adore the idea of a coming out script and the scripts for answering questions. First, it should be indispensable in neurodivergent non-fiction and self-help to have them. Second, they are so helpful and kind, focusing on respect. The only thing I would include is non-verbal scripts, for non-speaking or overwhelmed autistics. I’m aware you said we don't have to answer but sometimes the answer should be told non verbally. Now for the things I wish to comment on. One of the resources you used Genderbread, while an amazing concept and incredible tool, seems a bit incomplete due to the lack of androgynous or neutral alignments and intersex options. But I still applaud the use of this type of tool, because I have used it in the past and found it incredibly important but it is still important for it to be inclusive. The second thing is while I like the idea of activities, maybe it shouldn't include numbers. As an autistic, it can induce anxiety when I don't know all of the answers and this might be the case for more people. Perhaps, just a line for answering would be preferable and a square for you to cross if you feel you need to research the topic more. That way if the guide and the activities are used in the classroom, there is space for continuous learning or possible project touching on these activities. Another thing is the enumeration of bipolar disorder as a mental illness when bipolar is a neurodivergency. This connects to a point missed relating to self-awareness of other neurotypes in case the reader has a hybrid neurotype. Awareness of how our brain works is essential to calm anxiety. The last thing I would like to write about is something that I wished was included in the book. The guide talked about hormones, pronouns, names and gender dysphoria but missed one huge topic for autistics. Clothes, concerning gender expression and sensory differences. Masking through clothes would have to be discussed, and while the readers may be a bit young to deconstruct their masking, the knowledge would be valuable. The chapter could also discuss passing and how a change in wardrobe needs to be a compromise between ideal self-expression and sensory differences. Overall, this is a really good book and I hope it changes many people’s lives. This is a kind of book that its own existence makes the world richer and better. Thank you, authors, for making it!

[Kevvie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of The Awesome Autistic Guide for Trans Teens by Yenn Purkis and Sam Rose in exchange for an honest review.

This may come as a surprise to some people, but autistic people are significantly more likely to be trans than neurotypical people. There is a huge portion of the trans community that is neurodivergent. I think a book like this, the Awesome Autistic Guide for Trans Teens, is an excellent resource for young people who may be just discovering their own neuro- and gender-divergence.

The Awesome Autistic Guide for Trans Teens is a straightforward read, easy to understand for someone first learning about trans and autistic identities. It is concise and to the point, and could easily be read in a single sitting. Acting as a starting point, or a first resource for its intended audience, this book contains a plethora of definitions for various identities and labels, and even repeats them in a glossary in the back for easy access.

I appreciate that this book acknowledges the discourse surrounding identity-first and person-first language. Many large organizations, such as @utism $peaks (which is a hate group by the way, trying to eradicate autism rather than support autistic people), preach that we must use person-first language: person with autism rather than autistic person. However, all of the autistic people I personally know say they prefer identity-first language, because their autism is a part of their identity, just like their gender or sexuality. This book explains this distinction, and encourages the reader to choose for themselves which they prefer.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the list of trans and/or autistic celebrities and notable figures. Having a list like that is important for an introductory text like this, so that the reader can know about specific other people like them and that they are not alone. It gives them people to look up to that they otherwise might not have known about.

Throughout the book there were activity pages, encouraging the reader to do some self-reflection about the subject of the chapter. If utilized, these will help the reader to better understand their own identities.

One thing I wish this book had touched on was the prevalence of self-diagnosis in the autistic community. Self-diagnosed autistic people are embraced by the autistic community for many reasons. Getting a diagnosis can be difficult, especially when many of the guidelines for diagnosis are discriminatory against women and people of color. There are a lot of autistic kids out there who go undiagnosed, and this would be a great tool for them, if they knew self-diagnosis was valid.

Overall I think The Awesome Autistic Guide for Trans Teens is a book that will potentially help a lot of people, and I am glad that it is being published. Thank you NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the advanced reader copy.

[Chloe Ritchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The awesome autistic is two peoples take on autism and gender identity. The novel packs a punch and gives you a lot of knowledge, but also integrates the human impact and experience of being trans and autistic.

I like the language used, how it explains the terminology effectively without the language being overly complex. I enjoyed reading about queer, gender divergent famous people, as it gives pupils idols that they can look up to, that they can also relate too.

Because this is a book targeted at young people who are trans and autistic, throughout the novel it emphasised lots of  posivity surrounding autism and gender diversity which I really enjoyed seeing.

This book is really informative, but it isn't boring. However, I only rate this book 3.5 stars because although I enjoyed it, and leant a lot from it. I found this book a bit painstaking and although it's useful for beginners who want to learn about the LGBTQIA+ community as well as about people with autism. I already knew quite a lot of the information discussed within the book, and therefore didn't engage with it as greatly.

[Shilo Quetchenbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really great starting point for people just learning about autism and gender diversity. It does a good job explaining complex terms in a simple and easy-t0-grasp way. Most people who have done even a little reading about gender diversity will know most of what is covered in this book, but as a starting point I think it works well for adults and teens.

However some of the terms are defined *too* simply or breezed past which can lead to confusion. I definitely wouldn't recommend this as the *only* source of information. As a starting point and supplement to the journey, it works well. I am even thinking of giving it to my mom as a way to help her understand me better (even though I am an adult instead of a teen).

I found the second half of the book less interesting and helpful for me mostly because I am not a teen. If I were a teen just beginning to explore my gender identity then the information about hormones and how to access therapy and how to come out would be very helpful. In fact, if I had had this as a teen it would have been amazing and saved me a lot of stress and confusion during high school and college.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for providing an e-arc for review.

[Samara Matson wartes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far too subjective in my opinion along with an odd, disconcerting lack of sources. Almost felt to me as if the authors are attempting to convince the reader of the information being presented in a factual way rather than in a curious/questioning way. Watching one of my autistic kiddos question her gender identity and grasping at labels for herself, essentially boxing herself into one social construct or another, has been difficult. I don't like to see her holding herself back with narrow-minded thinking in general, which I hope does not come across as "I don't want her to hyperfixate". I was looking for a book to read with her that not only answers questions, but also poses just as many to the reader in terms of introspection. Instead, I am feeling left with "this is how it is and this is how it will always be". It seems to me there are more perspectives that are just as meaningful, just as correct, and just as poignant.

That being said, I do appreciate the positivity and respect the views of the authors. I'm glad this work exists. My guess is that it has helped many and interested more.

Tl;dr
This book is not for me and I personally don't like how the information is being presented. Still a book, and books have merit.

[A.R. Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book for autistic transgender and gender diverse young people who are getting to know themselves and their gender identities. Some of the advise in this book would be really helpful for autistic trans people and can give strategies to help them improve their wellbeing and understanding of themselves. There are a couple of places where terms could be better defined (the phrase “living in the closet” is used but never defined) as this is clearly intended for those who are still new to LGBTQ+ terms and figuring out their gender identities. This book is a great option for transgender, gender diverse and gender questioning young people. I would recommend this book specifically for upper middle grade and lower YA readers aged 10-15.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an important book for teens! It goes into autistic and gender variant terminology, breaks down autism in bite sized pieces, and is so easy to read.
I wish some of the suggestions were a bit more detailed and incorporated solutions that lean on autistic positives, for example something they suggest is "learning to like and value yourself" for good mental health, but it's pretty vague. This would have been a good opportunity to segue into positive stimming, special interests, or sensory seeking. I loved the focus on gender divergence but it lacked some of the specifics of autism that can be utilized in a positive way.

[jessclub_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Awesome Autistic Guide for Trans Teens is an informative and enjoyable read that I think would be very useful for young people and would make a good addition to the school library and books available from the wellbeing office. I particularly liked that the authors have included practical advice for what to say or do in situations that gender diverse young people may find themselves in and the language is inclusive and affirming. At the end of each section, there are workbook style questions for readers to complete which some readers may need help with. I would recommend this for students/schools and parents/carers.

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute little guide! It's quite short and a bit basic for me, but for a kid or teen who is just starting to question their gender, this could be really helpful. Statements were pretty straight-to-the-point which is definitely something I appreciate about this book and kept it short and sweet. Especially with trans kids under attack in legislatures at the moment, this book could be really important for someone who is learning to cope with ableist and transphobic structures.

[Celadon Phoenix · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first nonfiction book I’ve read about trans autistic identity and sadly it was far from helpful. I can see how The Awesome Autistic Guide for Trans Teens could be used in an elementary school setting for people 7–10 ish but it is just too rudimentary for anyone older to use.

It starts by fleshing out what autism is, some common traits, and then continues to describe gender expansive identities in the same fashion. The following chapter dives deeper into the gender diversity front, talking about some ways people identify and what pride is. Personally, I have a pet–peeve with the term “gender divergent/divergence”. It upholds the harmful construct of gender in ways that make any identity other than “male” or “female” something that is deviating from the norm. It wasn’t terrible but still present. Other than that, I was hoping this book would address the fact that even reproductive organs and hormones exist in a wide universe of possibilities in the section about puberty.

The part I thought was most interesting was Chapter 3 which showcases autistic people, gender expansive people, and then people who intersect both categories. It was nice to hear about familiar faces and to look up autobiographies from the people listed.

The only thing I felt was severely lacking was information that informed and acknowledged specific troubles autistic people have. I never felt like it dealt solely with autism as it does with trans identities. Along with that, the intersection of autism and gender diversity was lightly touched upon, and that was an issue since I was reading it explicitly with that purpose in mind.

I will reiterate that this book could be utilized wonderfully in a schooling environment or with younger children to teach them the very basics of neurodiverse and gender expansive identities. It was also great in having a bunch of resources and books to continue your research with. It just didn’t contain the depth that I needed.

[Dearbhla She-Her · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short and succinct book about the intersection of autism, gender identify and teenagers. I would say that it is written for the younger end of teenagers, or even pre-teens.

It is written with very clear and straightforward language. Written by autistic, gender-divergent people for teens who may, or may not, identify as either autistic or gender-divergent. I say "or may not" deliberately, because in the book the authors encourage the reader to consider whether or not descriptions of autism and gender are true for them and does not exclude them if they don't fully resonate with all or some.

I think the book suffers a little from the tall order that it has set for itself. It attempts to deal with three spectrums: gender identity, autism and age. Other authors might have given up before even starting on the basis that it will be impossible to hit the mark that encompasses this trifecta of spectra (couldn't resist - though I probably should have!). So I have to give kudos to the authors for putting this out there. It's a great introduction - part of why I think it's for early or pre-teen age group. It's an important book and I'm very glad it exists. I'll be recommending it to parents of trans and/or autistic teens that I know.

[Mr.Rainbow.Pages · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hi everyone, Its Christopher the reader here and the book we are here to talk about tonight is The Awesome Autistic Guide for Trans Teens. I want to say a huge thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review. I first read the book in April and it took me a day to finish reading. I am now going to talk about some of the book's details. It was rated for readers aged 12-18, and is going to be published on the 21st of June in 2022. The book had 7 chapters. All together the book had 93 pages (not including the blank and link pages)


- I liked on the introduction page that we got to know some facts about the writers of this guide a little. We discover that both of the writers are autistic and as well as trans which I loved. I also liked the message that It gave us, which was its never too late to discover who you are in life. I thought the layout was pretty good. I liked the little illustrations that it had at the start of chapters and that it explained a few gender identities but it didn't explore that many. I liked that most of the Statements were straight to the point but I would have liked for the Statements to have been linked to sources to back it all up. I do feel that some parts was not best explained as other parts were within the guide. This was a pretty short read, For me I would have liked for it to have been a little longer.

This is really more of a guide about coming out instead of it for both being out. It did have a light script to what to say to people if they asked questions and it talked a bit on how to deal with people who are being ablest and also to though who are being transphobic which I thought could be pretty helpful to some people. To be honest I did think that there was going to be more tips as well as more activities included. Maybe a section with some tips for people who choose that they want to appear more passing and how to do it safely so it gives the reader a bit more knowledge on why it's important to stay safe if they choose to do stuff like bind. I just don't feel like it went very far in-depth that I would have liked. After reading this book I can say that I would have probably loved this as a teen when growing up, I think that it would have been pretty helpful for me when I first started to explore my identity.

- I did like that at the ending that it left some links that could be helpful to some support organizations.


For each book that I read, I rate it out of 10, so for this I'm going to give it 6.0. Remember this was what I thought about the book personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an autistic adult who considers themself to be gender-neutral, I was happy to get my hands on a copy of this book to review.

'The Awesome Autistic Guide for Trans Teens' is a decent educational book that more or less does what it says on the can. The authors cover topics such as gender diversity, identities, coming out and the challenges surrounding being trans for a younger audience - and do so fairly well.

However, it does have some pros and cons.

The book comes from the perspective of two trans autistic writers so they know what they're talking about.
Yet we don't hear about their own experiences at all and the book comes across as very impersonal and reads like the leaflets you'd find in your guidance counsellor's room. Some anecdotes from them or other trans autistics could have helped in giving examples to scenarios and giving a sense of connection to the reader.

A bit of a bugbear for me was the thin line between what was actual scientific facts and what was subjective, especially when much of the writing was presented as factual with no sources to back it up.

One instance early on is a list of autistic characteristics. Some of these are traits that are used in the diagnostic criteria for autism and are pretty well known (meltdown/shutdowns, heightened sensory experiences, special interests, struggling to read facial expressions). But there were others on the list which have no real connection to autism and depends on the person (creative, honest, love for animal, more likely to be trans or gender divergent). Again, no sources.

Overall, the book would be a good starting point for a young autistic teen (possibly pre-teen) who is starting to question their gender identity and using it as a stepping stone towards more in-depth books on the same topic.

[This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.]

[Nessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

let's get something out of the way. Would this book have helped me when I was younger and struggling with who I were? Yes. I would have been able to pull hope and reassurance from this, an explanation of why everything seemed wrong in a time i could not accept myself. However, it would also have confused me. Remembering myself as the confused child I was, a lot of the terms here would have left me only more confused. I would have needed more explanation, apart from just statements, and I feel like that may be this books downfall.
It does not seem to know what it wants to be, a beacon of explanation and information? If that is the case, I would have loved to see the authors dive into that more, truly explain what is going on, but that leaves wanting. Does it want to be a self help book? it gives exercises and thoughts that could indicate this, but it never commits to this either. it is possible to combine these two concepts, but not in a book as short as this.

I don't want to rag on this book too much because it clearly tries hard to cover its grounds, and it does a decent job, but something else I want to bring up is that it falls into some traps that books written by adults for bullied/critisised youths tend to fall in. The examples it gives are fine, but if this was me, an autistic person to booth, would try to follow the advice on what to say when someone is disrespectful, the examples given would leave me with a massive "now what" situation, that I would not have been equipped to deal with at the time (and would still struggle to, to be honest!).

Regardless of this, I think this is the kind of book any library ought to have. A resource for those struggling to find their footing in the world. It plays that job well, and this is something we desperately need more off. I commend this book for that, and will recommend it too.

[Ella Styles · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an autistic and gender divergent person, I was ecstatic to read this book. It did not disappoint! I think that this book is going to do a lot of great things for autistic and trans teens. I know that I would have loved to have seen this book on the shelves when I was younger because I never was able to see myself reflected in what I was reading. All of the "guides" being advertised to teens were things I couldn't relate to, and this would have made my life so much easier. I love how easy this book was to read (I read it in one sitting), as well as how accessible the information was. The use of real-life examples and also the presentation of solutions and resources for problems was great.

I only had two criticisms for this book, and in the long run they aren't that important. First, at some points when the authors were quoting celebrities they used the celebrities' first names, which authors aren't supposed to do unless they have a personal relationship with the person they are writing about. I also thought that the book could have spoken more about the autistic side of being trans and autistic, as well as more about the intersection between being trans and autistic. It talked more about being trans and didn't offer much in the way of support for being autistic besides a few sentences. It also didn't talk about ableism at all. However, I think this book will still be incredibly helpful to trans and autistic teens!

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

my mum picked this up from the library she works at because she was curious as to what i would think of it. i was just going to flick through it but as it's only about 90 pages i ended up reading it all in one go. i'm not 100% sure what i think, but i'm glad this book exists as i'm sure it'll be great for younger readers.

i'm definitely too old and experienced for this to really teach me anything, but this book obviously wasn't written for me. i knew this going into it, so i'm trying not to let that sway my opinion!

i did struggle with the tone as i feel like it's written for a very young audience - as much as the book feels welcoming and kind, it comes across a bit patronising in its writing style. i'm not a teenager, so maybe i'm wrong, but i feel like 15 year old me would not find the age level appropriate. it also tries to explain quite difficult topics and concepts, so i feel like the writing style and the level of what it was trying to explain didn't quite match up.

i also feel like some ideas are much more in depth than others - overall, i don't think 90 pages is enough to do what the book is aiming for. i felt like it was a bit brief and it also didn't really feel like a 'guide'. maybe i was unaware of what the aim of the book is, but i don't think it really gave much of a guide to life or many tips other than seeking help when things get rough, which is very generic advice.

however, i do really appreciate the positive view this book has on both autism and trans identities - i love how the list of autistic characteristics included several positive things, and how the 'benefits' of being autistic and trans were mentioned. younger me (and even present-day me) could really benefit from being told that. being trans and autistic are definitely cool and good things, and it was nice to hear someone reaffirm that there's absolutely nothing wrong with being one or both of those things!

overall, i'm glad the book exists as i'm sure it will be very beneficial for younger readers, but in general i think it could have done with a bit more work and a few more pages.

[Em (Diversify Your Shelf)]

*please note that while I am neurodivergent, I am not trans (and thus my thoughts should be deprioritised to people who are both autistic and trans)*

I am thrilled a book like this exists! More and more research is coming out about the overlap of being neurodivergent and not cisgender, so it is excellent to have that discussed all in one place. I started to write a detailed paragraph on all the things that make me terribly pleased with this book, but I decided perhaps a list would be more logical.

- Terms accessibly explained (easy to understand/pick apart without being demeaning)
- Inclusive illustrations (multiple skin tones + includes disabled people)
- Discusses the inclusive pride flag + highlights Marsha P Johnson
- Explains how Indigenous cultures can have their own unique gender identities (and how they are NOT for people outside that culture)
- The conversation guidelines (on how to explain being trans and/or autistic) are well done

Honestly I have no negative things to say about this book. It could have included a discussion on the overlap of autism/trans/disabled but I am not going to penalise for that since the diagrams are inclusive and the book states its priority is autistic trans teens.

[Lee Hulme · Rating 5 out of 5]

First the usual preface: I haven't been a teen in a good few years, however I am trans, and have some undiagnosed but pretty clear autistic traits. I know many folk who are both trans and autistic - and of course the discussion about whether this is correlation or causation or both continues apace. What's clear, it that many teenagers are both trans and autistic. But there is a severe lack of information and support available for these folk. This book exists to try and redress that balance.
It's a good book to read. Even being two decades out of my teens doesn't mean I can't learn both something new for me, and something new about the folk around me.
The authors do a really good job of bringing the issues and questions trans and autistic teens might have into the light, and looking at them properly. For all that it's a fairly short book, it covers a lot of territory.
That does mean it can't cover things deeply, but that's not a fault. It aims to be a jumping off point, and that's exactly what it provides.

The Awesome Autistic Guide for Trans Teens was released on 21st June 2022. You can pick it up at Amazon UK or US, or your favourite bookseller or library.

[Alex Townley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a trans non-binary Autistic (though admittedly not a teen for some time!), this book spoke to me on several levels. To have this kind of resource available for my younger self would have been such a dream, and I hope it really helps many trans Autistic teens and young adults.

It was really important to me to be sure that this book was written by own-voices authors, and they are able to fully articulate the experiences so many of us share in enlightening and positive ways. The activities and tone of voice really helps to bring joy into the reading, where so many of us have previously felt invisible or non-existent.

The topics covered and the way in which the different aspects are explored will be helpful to anyone reading, regardless of age, gender or neurotype, and anyone outside of the direct target audience would still benefit from reading and learning from these authors and stories. Overall I hope this book goes on to create really positive changes for young trans Autistic people.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC - all opinions here are my own, honest, and freely given.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read this out of curiosity for what kinds of resources could have been around to support me in my childhood. I used to carry around "(gender)'s Guide to Life" books all the time, intensely studying them in the hopes that they would help me understand why I was so different and change something for me. Reading this as a trans autistic adult with my teen self in mind, I think I would have benefitted from having access to a book like this. Purkis focuses much on what I would've been most concerned on as a teen: how to navigate a trans and autistic identity. There are guides for how to have a coming out conversation, and how to build a network of support. My biggest wish for this book was that it would have been longer and had more 101 details. I appreciated the resources at the end but felt that it was really in need of a references section. It also felt as though it was missing a section on autistic coming out, or the sexuality dimension of identity. On the whole, it's a great introduction for a teen who is aware of their autistic identity but figuring out their trans identity.

[Sam Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The audience of this book are teens who are trans and autistic, and the writing style is particularly aimed at younger teens. So I am confused as to why certain things are defined (such as what autism is) and why certain things aren’t (‘gender is a social construct’). There was strange information that was considered as a fact (such as “More likely to be trans/queer” and “love for animals” being call characteristics of autism) without any sources to actually prove those points. In fact, there weren’t any sources at all, which was strange to say the least. Certain parts also felt like they should have been moved around, such as the ‘what is transphobia’ section, which should have appeared earlier in the book before transphobia had already been mentioned. Despite this issues, I did appreciate the trans identities mentioned in this book and enjoyed learning about new ones I hadn’t heard before. Unfortunately, that just doesn't save this book for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Kate Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a secondary school teacher, I always like to read books like this. It allows me to support my pupils if and when issues like this would arise.

This book is really well done. Firstly, I didn't know until reading this book that people on the autistic spectrum are 7 times more likely to be trans or gender divergent. I never knew that, and think its a fascinating statistic, and makes this book incredibly important!

I also feel like this book would be useful to any young person experiencing confusion over their gender identity. Of course there are specific chapters that focus on autism and gender specifically, but I do think a lot of young people will get a lot from it.

I really like how the book has some journalling prompts, and the helpful responses are brilliant. Specific scripted responses are super useful, and can really imagine some of my autistic pupils finding this a real life saver.

This book should be in all school libraries!!

[✰ baby t ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an aspiring gender and sexuality-focused therapist, so I am always looking for books to keep in my future office to reference for clients. This book seemed wonderful, and it will definitely be on my shelf when the day comes that I have my own office!
I love that both authors of this book are trans and autistic! It's so great that this book exists because so many gender-diverse people are also autistic, and vice-versa; this book is needed! I think this book will be a great starting point for autistic teens who may be beginning to question their gender identity, or those who are already confident in their trans identity and have recently learned they are also autistic! I do wish the scientific information was cited and differentiated, but the general information is great!

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an important and needed book. It's going to have an impact and is very informative in a simple, easy-to-understand way without being condescending or repetitive.

I'm not a teenager, so I'm not the targeted audience of this book, and as such it did read as a little too simplistic for me but that's partially because I already knew most of the things talked about and am older than the target audience but I can still see how great of a resource this book is. It covers a lot of different topics in a forthright way that is easy to read and comprehend.

This is a great book and I'm so glad it exists. It's much needed.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this in exchange for an honest review.

[Danielle Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could see this being used as part of a comprehensive health program for autistic teens. On its own however, I'm not sure how useful it would actually be for most teens. The writing style and tone are very introductory level, but the content, terminology used, and context could have used a lot more exploration than they are given here. And, frankly, I'm not sure how useful this book will be for the majority of autistic queer youth who are non-white and living in unsafe environments.

I do really appreciate that this book exists and I think the information that is presented is very good. I appreciateNetGalley and the authors offering a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.