I am autistic : an interactive and informative guide to autism (by someone diagnosed with it) / written and illustrated by Chanelle Moriah.

How to use this book -- What is autism -- Autism traits summarised -- Stimming -- Eye contact -- Imagination -- Being literal -- Sarcasm -- Implying -- Non-verbal / non-speaking -- Echolalia -- Alexithymia -- "Zoning out" or dissociation -- Rigd thinking -- Making and maintaining relationships -- Social cues and expectations -- Being overly sensitive -- Toys -- Hiding, climbing, spinning or being upside down.My reflection -- Forgetting to eat -- Receiving gifts -- Expressing gifts -- Expressing emotion -- Indecisiveness -- Object permanence -- Story memory -- Verbal memory -- Special interests -- Info dumping -- Travelling -- Fairness -- Inappropraite humour -- Need for rules -- Difficulties summarised -- Positives -- Meltdowns -- Shutdowns -- Masking and mimicking -- Unmasking -- You are not faking -- Routine -- Changes and unmet expectations.Surprise -- Vague plans -- Executive dysfunction -- Interest-based vs. importance-based nervous system -- Completing tasks neurodivergent vs. neurotypical -- Multiple expectations -- Multiple options, choices, possibilities -- Too many questions -- Group work -- Need for process instructions -- Feeling like an outsider or not belonging -- Sensory processing disorder (SPD) -- Sensory overload -- Sensory diet -- Sensory regulation tools -- Sensory issues and clothing -- Sensory issues and food -- Proprioception -- Vestibular input -- Interoception -- Cognitive overload -- Autistic burnout -- Supporting someone with ASD.Socialising -- Listening -- Processing conversations -- Not responding -- Small talk -- Multiple topics -- Empathy -- Understanding relationships -- Gender -- Justice -- Authority and hierarchy -- Future-predicting questions -- Abuse -- The mental-health system -- Disability -- Identity-first language (IFL) vs. person-first language (PFL) -- 'Functioning' labels -- The importance of knowing -- Thoughts on 'curing' autism.

When Chanelle Moriah was diagnosed with autism at 21, life finally began to make sense. Hungry for information, Chanelle looked for a simple resource that could explain what autism is and how it can impact the different areas of an autistic person's life, but found that there was little written from the perspective of someone who is autistic. So Chanelle decided to create that missing resource. Chanelle discovered just how difficult it can be for autistic adults - particularly females or those assigned female at birth - to be diagnosed or even be assessed for autism. This is partly because there is very little understanding of the different ways autism can present itself. I Am Autistic is a tool for both diagnosed and undiagnosed autistics to explain or make sense of their experiences. It also offers non-autistic people the chance to learn more about autism from someone who is autistic. With clear sections describing the different aspects of autism, accompanied by Chanelle's beautiful illustrations, and with space for readers to write down their thoughts, this book is designed to be personalised to the individual's experience. I Am Autistic helps people feel less alone in their autism and brings knowledge to an often-misunderstood condition.