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.
Introduction-Chapter 1Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Introduction Summary: “Alienation”
In the Introduction, Price recounts his own journey of self-discovery. At age 21, Price moved from Cleveland to Chicago to begin graduate school. At the time, he thought of himself as a serious person who believed in living a self-sufficient life, with no need for social connections. Until this point, Price had excelled academically, but had grappled with an eating disorder and gender dysphoria. His outer achievements masked his inner turmoil. Despite struggling to initiate conversations and engage socially, Price was lauded for his intellectual prowess and academic achievements, and school became his primary focus.
Once he entered graduate school, this solitude transformed into a debilitating isolation. Sensory input and interactions with people felt overwhelming. Price led a life confined mostly to school and the internet, with rare social outings. Overwhelmed, Price began to think of himself as fundamentally flawed.
A turning point came in 2014 during a family vacation, when a conversation with a cousin, who had recently been assessed for Autism, sparked a realization in Price: Autistic traits seemed prevalent in their family. Price initially resisted this thought, since he viewed Autism as a shameful condition.
However, upon returning, Price delved into extensive research about Autism, doing so privately and without informing his partner. As he read more about Autism, he recognized himself in his research. He began to recall childhood experiences of when he was shamed for his special interests or labeled too “weird.” He realized that, over time, he had been conditioned to dial down all the traits that made him seem strange or intense; in other words, he had learned to become less of himself. He had also developed a deep interest in social norms, which led him to get a PhD in social psychology.
A year after Price started learning about Autism, he found the Autistic self-advocacy community, a community that argues Autism should be seen as normal part of human diversity. As Price met other Autistic people within this community, he noted common coping mechanisms among those who had only realized they were Autistic later in life: Many had learned to tone down their personalities and rely on their talents or intellect for acceptance, and many had also struggled with substance abuse and self-harm.
Price observed a pattern among these “stealthily Autistic” people, including women, transgender individuals, people of color, those from impoverished backgrounds, gay and gender nonconforming men, and older people: They all experienced “masked” Autism—a camouflaged presentation of Autism often overlooked by researchers and mental health providers (5-6).
Masked Autism, Price says, deviates from the typical media portrayals and diagnostic criteria, which predominantly identify young, white, upper-middle-class boys with conventionally masculine interests as being Autistic. Price links this stereotype to the concept of “female Autism,” a term used by psychologists and psychiatrists to describe Autism in women; “female Autism” is supposedly a presentation of Autism that appears milder and more socially appropriate than “typical” Autism (7). Price critiques this concept as a societal bias rather than a biological difference. There is no such thing as “female Autism,” he argues. The traits of this supposed condition are found across all genders, and moreover, marginalized individuals are often forced to mask their Autism to fit neurotypical standards, due to their position in society. What is considered “mild” is determined by the neurotypical gaze, and seemingly milder presentations of Autism are often due to the self-protective act of masking.
Price shares that he now embraces his visibly Autistic traits, seeks accommodations for his Autism, and, overall, feels more authentic and alive. He wants every Autistic person to experience this same relief and freedom. He asserts that refusing to conform to neurotypicality is an act of disability justice and self-love.
Chapter 1 Summary: “What Is Autism, Really?”
In this chapter, Price provides a comprehensive exploration of the nature of Autism, debunking stereotypes and delving into its neurological basis.
Price begins by dispelling the misconceptions that Autism is only found in young boys and that it is always visible. Autism is commonly associated with “rudeness, masculinity” and “mathematical skill” (19), but Price argues that it is important to understand Autism through its neurobiological markers and the internal experiences reported by Autistic individuals. The book challenges the stereotype of “typical” Autism, often associated with white, upper-middle-class boys, and explains how masking is more necessary for those who are undiagnosed due to gender, race, or socioeconomic status.
Autism is largely inheritable, multiply determined (it has no single cause), and is considered a developmental disability. Price explains the neurological aspects of Autism: Autistic brains exhibit unique connection patterns, with some regions being hyperconnected and others under-connected, relative to neurotypical brains. This affects the way Autistic individuals process sensory data, often leading to hyperreactivity to stimuli and a focus on details. Price describes Autistics as methodical decision-makers who process information carefully, in a bottom-up fashion, which differs from the top-down processing approach of allistic (non-Autistic) individuals.
Autism is presented as a distinct type of functioning, differing from the neurotypical norm. It affects how individuals move through the world and navigate various practical and social challenges. Price notes that Autism is not just a behavioral difference but a cognitive and sensory divergence that touches every aspect of life. Autism can manifest in behavioral differences—one common example of this is repetitive self-stimulatory behavior, also known as “stimming” (See: Index of Terms). The chapter also highlights the heightened risk of violence and negative health outcomes that Autistic people face, underscoring the importance of understanding and support.
In reviewing the terminology he uses throughout the book, Price explains that he capitalizes “Autistic” as a sign of identity and pride, likening this choice to the way the members of the Deaf community capitalize “Deaf.” This choice, he says “signal[s] Autistics have our own culture, history, and community” (46). He also says that he refers to Autism as a disability, not in a negative sense, but to acknowledge how the world disables individuals by failing to provide necessary accommodations. Further, he explains that he uses identity-first language (“Autistic” or “Autistic person”) rather than person-first language (“person with Autism”) because, like many other Autistic self-advocates, he sees Autism as integral to, and inseparable from, an individual’s identity.
Introduction-Chapter 1 Analysis
Price begins with a powerful introduction that uses personal anecdotes to share his journey of self-discovery and struggles with Autism. This personal narrative approach makes the book relatable and accessible, allowing readers to connect with Price's experiences on a human level. Price’s descriptions of his time in graduate school establish a tone of vulnerability and honesty, inviting readers into the intimate aspects of his life. He shares:
By winter of that year I’d turned into a lonely, isolated wreck. I’d spend an hour sitting in the shower while the hot water rained down on me, lacking the will to stand up […]. At night bone-shaking sobs of despair and overwhelm would overtake me, and I’d pace around my room, whimpering and striking myself in the temples with the heels of my hands (2).
This quote shows Price’s personal struggle and emotional turmoil. The imagery of sitting under the shower and the physical manifestation of distress through “bone-shaking sobs” and self-harm powerfully conveys a sense of deep despair and helplessness. This moment of vulnerability highlights the intense sensory and emotional experiences often faced by Autistic individuals. Price’s use of descriptive language not only invites empathy but also challenges the stereotypical perceptions of Autism, showing the complex inner world and emotional depth that may not be immediately apparent to others. The candid portrayal of his mental state serves as a poignant entry into the book, setting a tone of honesty and introspection that underpins his exploration of Autism. By sharing these personal struggles, Price effectively sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Autism, making the book not just informative but also emotionally engaging.
Throughout these early chapters and in the rest of the book, Price employs “I” and “we” pronouns, creating a sense of solidarity and community among Autistic individuals. This inclusive language fosters a connection between the author and the reader. Price addresses the reader with the understanding that they either already identify as Autistic or are on a journey of discovering whether they are Autistic. The use of “we” emphasizes a collective experience, while Price’s first-person narration provides vulnerable insights that ground the discussion in real-life experiences. This is not just a stylistic choice but a strategic one, reinforcing the idea that Autism is a shared experience and that individuals are not alone in their journeys.
Price frames unmasking as an act of social justice and self-love, a theme that is evident in his explanation of why he capitalizes “Autistic” and uses identity-first language. He declares, “Throughout this book, I capitalize ‘Autistic’ for the same reason members of the Deaf community capitalize ‘Deaf’—to indicate it as part of my identity I am proud of, and to signal Autistics have our own culture, history, and community” (46). The use of identity-first language, as opposed to person-first language, emphasizes that Autism is an integral part of an individual’s identity, not something separate to be fixed: “I almost always will use ‘Autistic’ and not ‘person with Autism.’ […] Autism is not a thing that is added on to a person—it’s integral to their life and cannot be removed from who they are” (47). This perspective connects to the book’s theme of Challenging Stereotypes and Misconceptions About Autism, since stereotypes about Autism portray it as something shameful, a disorder or deficit that holds a person back. Conversely, Price views Autism as a pervasive experience that shapes an individual’s identity, resulting in unique traits: “[I]t is a cognitive and sensory difference that affects every areas of life […]. [I]t affects almost every aspect of a person’s body and brain” (25). This framing encourages Autistic individuals to embrace their identity, advocating for acceptance and recognition rather than conformity.
In the first chapter, Price uses clear, explanatory language, backing up his points with academic studies and statistics while still avoiding the dense style of writing common to academia. This approach makes the book accessible to a wider audience, ensuring that the information is understandable without sacrificing depth or accuracy. Price’s ability to distill complex neurological and psychological concepts into understandable terms demonstrates his skill as an educator and advocate. This approach not only educates but also empowers readers by providing them with the knowledge they need to understand Autism beyond stereotypes and misconceptions.
