Understanding Me, Understanding You

The central theme details how to build mutual understanding between autistic people and those who are neurotypical. Allen unpicks how the language of autism has been built on a deficit model which can have a detrimental impact on the way autistic people view themselves and how they are viewed by others. A stark example of this is the Triad of Impairment, a defining model identified in the 1970s, which asserted that autistic people were impaired in areas of social interaction, communication and imagination. Such a limiting model ignores not only the diversity which exists within the autistic population, but ignores the creativity, talents and skills that autistic people bring. The book identifies how communication between individuals takes place and factors which impact the quality of communication. It explores how the intended message can be impacted by a range of factors, meaning the recipient may receive it in unintended ways. Allen strongly asserts that the burden for improving understanding should be shared between those who are and are not neurotypical. The consequence of which for autistic people is improving emotional well-being and overall health.

Anxiety · Psychiatry · Family and Disability Support Research · Psychology