by Devon Price · 2022
The late-diagnosed-autism experience, particularly common in women and adults whose masking cracks in midlife.
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Devon Price is a social psychologist and a late-diagnosed autistic adult. *Unmasking Autism* is his account of the autistic experience that the older diagnostic criteria — built around hyperactive young boys — systematically missed: high-masking adults, particularly women and people of colour, whose accumulated camouflage finally cracks somewhere between their thirties and their fifties.
The book covers what masking is (the constant conscious performance of neurotypical behaviour), why it's exhausting, what unmasking looks like in practice, and the autistic-community concepts that have made the experience legible — interoception differences, monotropism, autistic burnout.
We recommend this often to adults who are wondering whether they're autistic and finding that the official descriptions don't match their experience.
A note. This is reading material, not clinical treatment. If you’re working through something difficult, books complement therapy — they don’t replace it. Book a session with our team for personalised support.
More books in autism.
Tony Attwood
The gold-standard comprehensive reference by Australia's most cited autism researcher; covers all life areas for autistic adults and families.
Temple Grandin & Richard Panek
Firsthand account of autism from the most famous autistic scientist; bridges self-advocacy and neuroscience for adults and families.
Barb Cook & Michelle Garnett
Written by and for women on the autism spectrum, including contributions from Australian co-author Michelle Garnett.
Cynthia Kim
Practical, personal guide for adults newly exploring a late autism diagnosis — widely recommended by ASD-specialising psychologists.
Devon Price
Examines how productivity culture harms neurodivergent people; a valuable reframe for autistic clients with burnout.
Naoki Higashida
Firsthand account of a non-speaking autistic teenager's inner world; transformative reading for families and clinicians.
Our team sees adults, adolescents, and children in person at Bella Vista and via telehealth across NSW. Medicare rebates with a GP Mental Health Care Plan; NDIS self- and plan-managed; private health depending on fund.