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Untypical
- How the World Isn’t Built for Autistic People and What We Should All Do About It
- Narrated by: Pete Wharmby
- Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins
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Summary
It’s time to remake the world – the ground-breaking book on what steps we should all be taking for the autistic people in our lives.
The modern world is built for neurotypicals: needless noise, bright flashing lights, small talk, phone calls, unspoken assumptions and unwritten rules – it can be a nightmarish dystopia for the autistic population. In Untypical, Pete Wharmby lays bare the experience of being ‘different’, explaining with wit and warmth just how exhausting it is to fit in to a world not designed for you.
But this book is more than an explanation. After a late diagnosis and a lifetime of ‘masking’, Pete is the perfect interlocutor to explain how our two worlds can meet, and what we can do for the many autistic people in our schools, workplaces and lives. The result: a practical handbook for all of us to make the world a simpler, better place for autistic people to navigate, and a call to arms for anyone who believes in an inclusive society and wants to be part of the solution.
Critic reviews
"A wonderful, compassionate, important book, exploring the many faces of neurodivergence, and offering ways for everyone to make life kinder for those who are wired differently." (Joanne Harris)
"Pete eloquently and passionately explains the the challenges of having to navigate our round-hole world as square peg and therefore is a comforting and validating read for anyone who is Untypical. Rectangle, parallelogram, rhombus, whichever neuro-shape you are, this book can help us all to create a more inclusive society." (Dr Meg Arroll)
"A wonderful book about achieving better awareness and a more inclusive society for people on the autism spectrum." (Roger Clark)
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- Antoinette
- 22-09-23
It helped me
This book helped me understand my daughter- aged 33. I wish this book had been written 30 years ago.
Now a real conversation can begin between me and my daughter.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Occasionalreader
- 13-06-23
Validating
Incredible and validating to hear so much of my life on a page as a late-diagnosed autistic person.
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- Elise Stirling
- 16-07-23
Can I give it more stars please?
I would (and regularly do!) recommend this book to absolutely everyone, autistic or otherwise, to get the most realistic, accurate and heartfelt account of autistic life ever put into words. I'm also an autistic/ADHD teacher, and to hear specific and relatable anecdotes of personal and professional experiences just felt so affirming and permission-giving. I wish everyone could understand this, so read the book!
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- Mark Rostron
- 21-01-24
Enlightening and simple truth
As an late diagnosed autistic person this for me is the most useful text I have ever read in my entire life. Thank you Pete for sharing your experince, thoughts and hopes. Your book has shone a light on my lifetime of suffering in a neurotypical world which gives me hope for my future and for those I share it with. 🙏
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- The Lit Doctor
- 23-03-23
Clear, Informative, and Compelling
This book is a masterclass in explaining the autistic experience, and why you should care. The narrative is clear, concise, and while not pulling any punches, never veers into the gratuitous.
Many clear descriptions are provided regarding how our society is letting down autistic people, and the terrible harm that is occurring as a result.
This is a book that should be read by all employers, teachers, police officers, mental health professionals, parents, and politicians. I am autistic, and throughout the narrative, I saw myself, my situation, my experience, and the monumental difficulties I face dealing with a world seemingly determined to reject me. I know many other autistic people reading it will feel the same. But it’s vital that this book is read outside the bubble of the autistic community, particularly by those who can exert power and influence over the direction our society takes. If you’re not autistic, and you only ever read one book about autism, this is probably the book for you.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Lily
- 02-07-23
Excellent
As a fellow late diagnosed autistic I found this account an extremely accurate portrayal about some of our struggles and how our society and people around us exacerbate them. Required reading for anyone looking to be more accommodating
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- M.A.TAYLOR
- 18-03-23
This book is up there with the best!
Congratulations to the author!
I am a 60 year old autism sufferer and lets face it unless we’re fortunate to live in the correct environment we do suffer. I was bullied incessantly, ignored at school and failed miserably academically until by a stroke of luck I was accepted into the RAF. I had a good selection of honest friends and partners who made me consider my behaviour. I learnt somewhat haphazardly the social norms. Each one of us has a different individuality of autism the same way neurotypical types are individuals.
Once you know that you are autistic and accepting it can be a tough ask for some, you can manage yourself much better although it’s like groundhog day most days, personally I can forget everything I’ve considered the very next day! It’s a slow process.
The perceived model of autism needs to change, there is so much difference between those on the spectrum that we all get incorrectly grouped together. Some of course need more help than others but we all need the compassion of understanding.
I think we can all agree that schools, secondary rather than primary fail to support and understand autism. Until we adapt our schools to be more aware of autism and to cater for them we’ll keep churning out pupils who are out on a limb once schooling has finished.
1 hour a week teaching and discussing different social structures and how to accept others would go a long way for a start.
Until something happens in our education system many will continue to struggle unnecessarily.
Thankfully we’re moving in the right direction.
Good luck to everyone on the spectrum and remember we’re not all creative or mathematical geniuses!!!!
Love to you all x
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- Katherine
- 05-01-24
Outstanding
I’ve known my whole life I was different. I fit perfectly into the mummy ago has kids with special needs box and found out I’m ADHD and Autistic a few years ago. I found this book a fantastically written and read summary of all the problems I’ve faced in the world. I’m roughly the same age as the author and grew up in the same areas so it was particularly poignant.
I found it very emotional as it was as if the author had just read my life back to me. I’ve struggled with all the same things and it brought back a lot of memories. It has helped me accept my autism though and for that I’m grateful. Also someone else hears electricity!! 😁
The world is definitely changing and hopefully books like this will help change the general publics perception, bring in acceptance and allowances for autism (and hopefully ADHD too). It has already had a great effect on my family who have read it. Including my cousin who is quite senior at one of ‘The Big 5’ (accounting firms) and she’s implementing neurodiversity changes as a result of finding out her husband is autistic and reading this.
Thank you!!
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- Anonymous User
- 26-11-23
Insightful
Very good representation of what autism is like, I have autism myself and really appreciated this book. Some chapters were a little less interesting but overall a good read.
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- Laura
- 30-08-23
An absolute MUST read!
Whether you're autistic or not, this book is such a great insight into autism.
As an autistic female, I don't relate to every point Pete makes; however, so much of what he says is absolutely spot on.
Excellently written, highly recommended!
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