50 pages • 1 hour read
Devon PriceUnmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2022A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 6-7Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 6 Summary: “Building an Autistic Life”
This chapter focuses on the concept of creating living spaces and lifestyles that cater to the unique needs of Autistic individuals.
Price references the work of educator and Autistic peer counselor Marta Rose, who writes about designing interior spaces for Autistic individuals. Rose suggests that such spaces should reflect the actual living habits of Autistic people, without shame or judgment. Price discusses the significant impact visual clutter can have on Autistic individuals, causing sensory “noise” and disrupting focus and emotional regulation. He notes that while some Autistic people may prefer minimalistic environments, others form strong attachments to objects, making it hard to declutter. He says that Rose suggests various strategies to balance these needs, including: displaying just one item at a time from a larger collection, cataloging objects with photos, and using curtains or closed bins to manage distracting items.
The chapter also explores how Autistic individuals experience time differently from neurotypicals, often working in bursts of hyperfocus followed by periods of rest and recovery. Price cites Rose’s view of the concept of time, which she sees as a spiral rather than a linear progression. Rose believes this depiction of time challenges the traditional, industrial model of time. By reframing the concept of time, Autistic individuals can better accommodate their unique work habits and sleep-wake cycles, embracing their natural rhythms rather than conforming to societal norms.
Price highlights how Autistic people often develop unique methods to navigate everyday activities, using extensive research, digital tools, and planning strategies. These “life hacks” are necessary for Autistic individuals to manage activities that may seem straightforward to neurotypicals. Price argues that masking often involves hiding the effort that goes into these hacks, but being open about them can be a form of radical visibility and self-acceptance.
The chapter ends with a discussion of radical visibility, an approach that celebrates and emphasizes aspects of identity typically hidden or stigmatized. Price draws parallels with the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities, in which radical visibility involves reclaiming formerly derogatory terms and presenting differences as a source of pride. For Autistic individuals, radical visibility can mean openly declaring their needs and who they are, which contrasts sharply with the experience of masking. This approach encourages Autistic people to live openly and honestly as themselves, embracing their uniqueness without apology.
Chapter 7 Summary: “Cultivating Autistic Relationships”
Chapter 7 addresses the nuances of self-disclosure for Autistic individuals, cultivating authentic friendships, and creating a supportive Autistic community.
Price discusses the complexities of self-disclosing one’s Autism. If someone self-discloses to a person who only has a shallow and stereotypical view of Autism, the reaction they receive can be stigmatizing and dehumanizing. Price emphasizes that effective self-disclosure requires a respectful, trusting relationship in which continuous learning and understanding can occur.
Price shares the story of Samuel, an Autistic man who learned to identify and prioritize genuine friendships. Samuel used to push away people who were “too” warm and giving, because he associated love with hard work and people-pleasing—he was suspicious of anyone who seemed to be too nice to him. Samuel decided to make a spreadsheet of these people and denote them with emojis. In his phone contacts, he put strawberry or seedling emojis next to the names of those who were exceptionally kind or intellectually stimulating. Price points out that Autistic people tend to give every phone notification equal weight, and so by creating a system to prioritize people in his life, Sam was able to circumvent the social labor of determining how and whether to respond to a friend: Whenever someone with a strawberry or seedling emoji popped up on his phone, Sam knew to devote his energy to responding to them, and this helped him prioritize relationships that were meaningful and supportive. Price highlights the importance of distinguishing between genuine friends and those who are only responsive to Autistic individuals’ masked selves. He invites readers to reflect on who their “strawberry people” are. Price shares that, in his life, acquaintances who do not belong in the “strawberry” category are those who only engage with him superficially, and who act in harsh and overly critical ways.
Price challenges the notion that Autistic individuals are inherently poor communicators. He points out that studies show that when Autistic people communicate with each other, they can be highly efficient and connect easily. In these studies, issues arose when Autistic people were paired with neurotypical partners; in these instances, they were frequently misunderstood or dismissed. Price contends that that perception of Autistic people as poor communicators arises from communication differences rather than social deficiencies. Price encourages neurodiverse people to use more explicit and honest communication, which he says will benefit not only Autistic individuals but also others who struggle with vague or symbolic language, such as Deaf people, non-native English speakers, and people with social anxiety.
Price reminds Autistic people that it is unrealistic to expect to overcome all internalized stigma and shame, noting that ableism is pervasive. Nevertheless, it helps to recognize ableism as an external cultural values system that has become internalized. Price encourages Autistic people to eschew the ableist myth of hyper-independence, allowing themselves to live an interdependent life.
Price encourages Autistic individuals to find or create communities that meet their needs. He points out that, historically, Autistic people have played central roles in organizing and participating in communities centered around niche interests, such as anime, anarchism, and BDSM. Many organizers in these communities tailor these environments to the sensory and social needs of disabled people. Price argues that these communities offer glimpses of what a more accepting and accessible society could look like.
Chapters 6-7 Analysis
In Chapter 6, Price critiques the capitalist, ableist framework that dominates societal perceptions of productivity and time management. He uses Marta Rose’s concept of divergent design to illustrate how the traditional, linear understanding of time does not accommodate the unique ways in which Autistic people experience and manage their time and energy. By advocating for an understanding of time as a spiral, Price challenges the industrial model of time that prioritizes continuous productivity and often disregards the need for rest and different rhythms of work. This perspective is an essential critique of how capitalist structures can marginalize and misunderstand neurodiverse individuals. This is part of a broader pattern in the book, in which Price situates the experience of Autism as inextricable from societal factors.
Price expands on Rose’s spiral concept of time, using vivid metaphors and analogies to illustrate the unique cognitive processes of Autistic individuals:
Because Autistic minds are all about understanding details and analyzing complex systems of information, it makes sense to think of our lives as fractal, forever expanding to new subjects and narrowing into precise focus at the same time. We’re not single-minded Marios, running across a side-scrolling level to rescue Princess Peach. We’re more like the protagonist of the video game Katamari Damacy, a freaky, colorful demigod who rolls an ever-growing ball of objects around, each step forward attracting more random items into his ball’s expanding gravitational field until it engulfs the universe. We don’t complete discrete projects. We build worlds (177-78).
In Mario, the objective is clear and singular—rescue Princess Peach—mirroring a more neurotypical, straightforward approach to tasks. In contrast, Katamari Damacy involves rolling a ball that collects an increasingly diverse array of objects, symbolizing the Autistic way of gathering and connecting a wide range of information and experiences. This game metaphor suggests that Autistic thinking is not about completing isolated tasks but about building complex, interconnected worlds of understanding. Price’s choice of Katamari Damacy as a metaphor—a game known for its quirky, unconventional nature—also subtly challenges stereotypes about Autism. It implies that Autistic thinking is not just different in its focus and breadth, but also creative, unconventional, and capable of seeing connections where others might not. The imagery of an ever-growing ball accumulating diverse objects into a unified whole encapsulates the Autistic experience of learning and understanding the world in a way that is both holistic and detailed. This perspective challenges the notion of Autistic individuals as narrowly focused or limited in their cognitive abilities, instead presenting a dynamic, expansive view of Autistic thought processes.
In Chapter 7, Price emphasizes the significance of community for Autistic individuals. Through the story of Samuel and the concept of “strawberry people,” Price illustrates the importance of identifying and nurturing relationships that offer genuine understanding and support. He discusses how Autistic individuals often face challenges in forming and maintaining meaningful connections due to societal misconceptions and communication differences. By fostering a supportive community, Autistic people can find a sense of belonging and acceptance, which is vital for their well-being and unmasking journey.
Throughout both chapters, Price further explores the theme of Challenging Stereotypes and Misconceptions About Autism. He confronts the myth that Autistic individuals are inherently poor communicators by highlighting how communication styles differ between Autistic and neurotypical individuals. Price also addresses the misconception that Autistic people do not have social needs. By illustrating how Autistic individuals actively seek and contribute to various communities, he demonstrates their desire for socialization and connection, which often goes unrecognized due to prevailing stereotypes.
