My relationship with masking has changed fundamentally since my diagnosis, although I would have to say that it is still evolving. Often these appear to have been honed over many years of experience, particularly since learning about her Autistic identity, and finding supports within the Autistic community. There are probably a lot of adults who may be having the same thoughts and feelings you were when considering exploring an autism diagnosis.

Professor Sandra Thom-Jones is an autistic woman, and the very proud mother of two autistic adult sons. What if autism wasn’t the explanation for my difference and challenges, and I was just a flawed neurotypical? All that personal confusion has now been put to rest, yet without surprise, the challenges persist in our community: are we listening to one another? Growing in to Autism is a wonderfully affirming book; a really enjoyable read, which came with many ‘I’m not alone moments’. The “social” me, albeit predominantly social in online groups that didn’t involve face-to-face contact, was obsessed with doll collecting, knitting, country music, and living in a world where everything was pink.

It is also packed full of useful information including facts and suggestions to help make the lives of Autistic people easier. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and looked forward to reading about Thom-Jones' experiences as an Autistic woman. This is the best book I’ve read by an autistic author who is explaining what autism means for them in their everyday life. I hope that the book gives non-autistic readers some insight into what it is like to be an autistic person. This provides an illuminating juxtaposition of Autistic versus non-Autistic experiences throughout the book, particularly those centred on social communication.

I know that growing up I would have been much more comfortable being referred to as “autistic” than the terms regularly used by my peers to describe me -words like weirdo, freak, and others I wouldn’t want to put into print. This was a profound awakening - throughout her life she had been masking her true self and this effort had come at great physical, mental and emotional cost.

I thought that’s what everybody did – or at least everybody who, like me, didn’t seamlessly move through life getting everything right. Growing in to Autism is a must-read book for anyone who is autistic, thinks they might be autistic or knows someone who is autistic. You will find yourself wanting to know more, and for this the author includes References and Resources at the end of the book.

Both of my sons were clients of the same psychology practice, the ASD Clinic, which had been recommended to me as the experts in autism when we moved to Melbourne in 2014. Jones' writing itself is very fun and descriptive as well; I never felt bored by what I was reading. This will also be a great book for non-Autistic people who would like to learn more about autism, particularly about the experiences of Autistic adults and how to support them.

When tropes such as the above are utilised, they tend to refer to societal and capitalistic standards of success, which emphasise career, family, and so forth. Deciding on the structure of the book was difficult and I must’ve changed my mind dozens of times about the right structure.

First, your undiagnosed autistic child will not be protected by the absence of a diagnosis: the labels other people will give them to explain their differences will be far worse.The second, which is reflected in the title, is that we need to move away from the harmful myth that children grow out of autism; and replace it with the knowledge that, with the right supports, they can grow IN to their authentic autistic selves. Even if you do not have autism, you will see bits of yourself or someone you hold dear in this book. She discusses how she has learnt when and where it is appropriate to unmask and be herself, particularly as she has grown into her Autistic identity over a number of years.