A sensory portrait of an autistic mind
From childhood, Laura James knew she was different. She struggled to
cope in a world that often made no sense to her, as though her brain had
its own operating system. It wasn't until she reached her forties that
she found out why: Suddenly and surprisingly, she was diagnosed with
autism.
With a touching and searing honesty, Laura challenges everything we
think we know about what it means to be autistic. Married with four
children and a successful journalist, Laura examines the ways in which
autism has shaped her career, her approach to motherhood, and her
closest relationships. Laura's upbeat, witty writing offers new insight
into the day-to-day struggles of living with autism, as her extreme
attention to sensory detail -- a common aspect of her autism -- is
fascinating to observe through her eyes.
As Laura grapples with defining her own identity, she also looks at the
unique benefits neurodiversity can bring. Lyrical and lush, Odd Girl
Out shows how being different doesn't mean being less, and proves that
it is never too late for any of us to find our rightful place in the
world.