Autistic's Guide to Self-Discovery,The

In this first-of-its-kind book, Sol Smith combines current research, his personal experience as an autistic adult, and lessons learned as an educator to show how others living with the condition can transcend common mischaracterizations, embrace self-acceptance, overcome shame, and gain the skills to function and flourish

When writer and professor Sol Smith was diagnosed with autism as an adult, a lifetime of “noisy brain” and rumination, of intuiting that he experienced the world differently from others, suddenly made sense. Rather than feeling shame and continuing to hide his neuro-differences, he used his experience as an educator to create ways to articulate and explore these differences and, in the process, develop life skills to better communicate and work with neurotypical people. He decided to share his insights, and the response was overwhelming — his informative videos on TikTok and YouTube quickly gained millions of views.

Smith understood that neurodivergent people often feel that nothing they have been taught relates to how they experience the world. To resolve this conflict, they try to change or mask who they are, which causes isolation, depression, and anxiety over time. So he advised the opposite: understand yourself, accept yourself, and reduce conflict. People don’t need to “fix” themselves or “overcome” a personality flaw — they need to learn to understand their identity and adjust their environment accordingly.

Building on these insights, Square Peg lays out a blueprint for flourishing with autism and neurodivergence. Topics include:

• common misconceptions and misunderstanding around autism
• tips for managing imposter syndrome
• strategies for addressing the challenges inherent in “unmasking”
• how to embrace authenticity

Designed to help readers peel away the shell of anxiety and shame that has calcified around their lives, Square Peg offers a better understanding of what it means to be neurodivergent and how to function effectively in relationships at home, at work, and in the wider world.