Looking for Normal - An Autistic Boy Who Beat The Odds
Looking For Normal is my story of growing up in an era when autism was not a word often heard. Autistic children in the 1950s and 60 were often mis-diagnosed with schizophrenia. Autism did not become a diagnosable condition until the early 1980's, and Asperger Syndrome in the 1990's. Yet, still, in 2020 there are people who believe that autism is a only a childhood condition. Thankfully, this perception is changing and greater numbers of older adults are being diagnosed. I was diagnosed in my late 40's, and this was, possibly, the most pivotal moment of my entire life. Having an autism diagnosis was like starting an exciting new life, one that twelve years on I am only just beginning to understand.
Looking For Normal describes my dysfunctional child, my reasonably career in the music business and later as creative in the world of Advertising. The book also describes with (I am told, a great deal of honesty and dark humour) my relationship difficulties, social awkwardness, and chronic mental health issues. My autism journey may not be exactly the same as anyone else's, but then, as the somewhat cliched saying goes, "when you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism!"
Steve Slavin
“A wonderful insight into an extraordinary life.” - Peter Holmes PhD
"Insightful, inspiring, informative and entertaining." -Dr Rai Fayette Senior practitioner Educational Psychologist, Academic and Professional Tutor.
L Bonneville says
I’m a woman with late ASD diagnosis too, and I very much enjoyed your interview with Anna C. Wilson about her book ‘A Place for Everything’. I came across it after hearing Woman’s Hour saying they would be talking to Anna Wilson the next day. Your interview was a revelation, in depth and insightful, which can’t be said for the Women’s Hour interview. I recognized so many behaviours from my own mother, as well as from myself. I feel very resentful over a lifetime (in my own case) of presenting to the medical/clinical profession in distress, often with anxiety and depression, and never, until I was 50, having ASD mentioned by anyone (and even then it was down to my new G.P. having ASD in her own family). It was also only after this that I learned about the connection between digestive / gastric problems and ASD (which Anna mentions her mother had). The lack of connection between, as you say, medical services – even mental health services – and knowledge and experience of autism is astounding, and there is so much hidden torment and suffering due to this I have thought and read and written a lot about the different ways females present with ASD than males – whole articles. Some of this is on Academia.com, and some on the now defunct Verbal Remedy site. After my diagnosis I wrote a novella about a woman getting an ASD diagnosis, and the effects (inc. suicidal impulses) of all the confusion and contradiction this brings to her, and ‘published’ it on Amazon (title: ‘Ta-ra, Alice’), but less than a dozen e-copies have been downloaded. I don’t, and wouldn’t know how, to make people aware of it. Thanks for your work (I can’t buy your memoir at the moment as it’s not available, but would like to in the future).
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi L Bonneville.
Thank you for watching my interview with Anna. Her book will help a lot of people understand their own adult autism.
I can definitely relate to the thing you said about feeling resentful and struggling through to 50 years of age without a diagnosis. Almost identical to my situation. It’s important that we get our stories out there to educate medical professionals, and also other mature people who feel they may have autism.
I will have a look at your book on Amazon. And I will let you know when mine is re-published.
Many thanks
Steve
Mustafa N. says
Hai again, Steve. Thanx for letting me know your book is back in stock at Amazon—I just purchased both a paperback and kindle edition. Btw, I have you beat: I received an ASD diagnosis at age 56—not so much a “very late diagnosis” as it is a TOO late diagnosis. 😉
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Mustafa
Thank you for purchasing my book. I really appreciate this. Yes, you definitely beat me in age to a diagnosis! I don’t think 56 is too late though. I’ve just hit 60, and life is just beginning!
Best wishes
Steve
Mustafa N. says
Hai. I read an article in Spectrum which mentioned your recently published book, soI did a search on Amazon but it is listed as not available. Just wondering if that status will change. Thanx.