Reviews

Readit (May 2023) “Very affirming and helpful, especially for late diagnosed autistics who ‘mask'”

This 2022 book is intelligent, well-informed by the autistic community and academic research, and covers a lot of things that, as the author says, we wished someone had told us when we first realised we were autistic. It doesn’t shy away from the challenges and emotional trauma that late diagnosis can bring, but is upbeat and pragmatic. The book is well organised into small chapters making it easy to refer to. It is not an academic book as such, but is a reasonably demanding read. I think it’s one of the most helpful books I’ve read on the subject (and I’ve read most of them by now!) and recommend it to read yourself or lend out to friends and family (I’m going to get a second copy for this purpose). I would also recommend it to Mental Health Professionals, to improve their skills in recognising and working with masked autistic clients. Thank you Leigh this is a great book, truly a part of the evolution of consciousness around autism that is gathering momentum.

Jane (48 yrs) (2023)

The Undercover Autistic is partly an insightful journey of self-discovery and acceptance; partly a resource manual for handling a diagnosis of autism, and coping with its myriad challenges. It’s also great at explaining why my family are the way they are, which was an unexpected relief.

In the book Leigh explains her disorientation following her diagnosis and the dawning realisation that help wasn’t coming. She explains how she then managed her daily life, but also how she found peace with being autistic.

I found this an insightful guide to how someone with autism experiences life and why they do the things they do. Living with children with autism I thought I’d understand much of what I was about to read – I was wrong! I had many, many lightbulb moments reading this – various things that suddenly made so much sense. (For example, I was really surprised by the huge amount of planning and problem solving that goes into everyday life, like meeting up with a friend).

I read this in big chunks, but you could also dip in and out depending on what you are most interested in at that time.

Dr Sue Ackerley – Senior Educational Psychologist (2023)

Leigh has a fantastic writing style that is both engaging and informative. Whilst this captures her personal journey, she interlaces this with references to research and current thinking about autism. The book will resonate with so many others who have been through, or are just embarking on the diagnostic pathway, particularly women and girls.

I would also recommend the book be read by those who support autistic people both on a personal level and as professionals. The information offers great insight for anyone seeking a better understanding of autism, the impact of getting a diagnosis and practical suggestions on how these could be supported.

Banco (Amazon Review 2023)

I am retired now but as a teacher of 27 years with experience through all sectors from Primary, Middle, Secondary and 5 years in Special Education this book would have been most enlightening and should have been, at the very least on the “must read list” at some point in my B.Ed Honours degree course. I did meet and teach Autistic children during my teaching career and I’m sure if I’d read something even remotely as informative as “The Undercover Autistic”, I’d have done a much better job for those pupils and certainly at least felt I could enlightened some of my colleagues.