Life as a Late-Identified Autistic

A Collection of Essays Exploring Autism

By: Jackie Schuld

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

When Jackie Schuld’s therapist suggested she might be autistic, she scoffed. She knew there was no way she could be autistic. She was in her mid-30s and ran her own therapy private practice. Everything she learned about autism in her Master’s program in mental health counseling didn’t apply to her. She could make excellent eye contact. She could engage in deep conversations. She could attend social gatherings. She could make it through abrupt changes and remain flexible.

How could she be autistic?

The more she learned about autism — how it internally impacts autistics and how it can present in women — the more she saw herself.

All those times she’d felt too much or thought too much started to make sense. She could see why she’d always felt — off .

As she talked with other autistics, read books, and studied articles, she pieced together a new picture of autism. She processed all of the information through her writing and art. This book is a collection of the essays through which she came to understand autism — and herself.

Her book explores why autism is commonly misunderstood and provides personal stories that illustrate the primary impacts of autism, including:

• Mental characteristics
• Emotional characteristics
• Sensory system characteristics
• Body characteristics
• Passions (special interests)
• Socializing

Although she couldn’t see herself as autistic before, Jackie now knows without a doubt that she is autistic.

Very informative

This was very informative. I liked the essay set up. It’s all listed by topics. I will be listening to this one again.
It made me five stars for performance and story. It’s an automated voice and I listened to it on high speed, so I can’t really judge that. Also, it’s non fiction.

Relatable for autistic adults

While the narration can be a bit difficult to stay focused. The words of each essay are incredibly relatable. It is validating and encouraging to hear and read about other autistics who experience similar situations. Going your whole life not knowing you’re autistic is traumatic and the process to accept and heal is difficult. I’m grateful for books like these to bring awareness and normalize the reality of being autistic or a neurotypical world.

Excellent Coverage of Issues We Face

This book is a collection of essays on most issues faced by autistic adults. The information is accurate and personal enough that it is easy to identify with. I would happily have any of my loved ones read this book to gain insight into me. Each essay is enough information to inform but not so much as to overwhelm. It is easily accessible by non-scientists or neurotypical people. I recommend reading it essay by essay with some time to process in between. Read, digest, and then move on.

Text to speech has dramatically improved compared to a few years ago. The narration is pleasant and adequate for a book that creates its dramatic effect with its content and not with the acting chops of the narrator.

interesting and personal insights

I loved this book. Thank you. I would like to read more by the author.

AI narrator sucks!

AI mispronounces words & pauses in weird places in sentences. Intonation horrible! Book is good. Just hard to listen too. It bothers my Autism.