Let this tool guide you towards your authentic, autistic self. You no longer need to hide. If you grew up before the neurodiversity movement, you were likely taught from a young age that your autistic traits were "wrong" or "bad." Whether it's the tendency to move repetitively, difficulties in social interaction, avoiding eye contact, sensitivity to loud sounds or certain textures, or even your passionate communication about your interests, somewhere along the way you learned to conceal these aspects of yourself to fit in better, to avoid bullying from other children, and in some cases, even to earn the love of your parents. The problem is that over time, this masking can lead to increased levels of anxiety, exhaustion, emotional dysregulation, suicidal thoughts, and depression. So how can you be your authentic self while also achieving and thriving in a neurotypical world?

Written by a therapist who is also autistic, this neurodiversity-affirming tool offers skills to help you cultivate self-acceptance, manage intense emotional states, and become your own advocate whenever needed. You will closely examine the situations or people that led you to mask yourself in the first place. You will also discover:

• How to set and achieve your authentic goals - with a clear picture of who you are and what you care about
• Why self-love and self-acceptance are so important for autistic individuals
• How to live your life on your own terms while advocating for the accommodations you need
• How to free yourself from old, traumatic messages about autistic people that you have internalized
• How autism can be both a strength and a disability
• Strategies to cope with burnout or meltdowns
• How to be assertive and set boundaries with others

You no longer need to mask, hide, or camouflage. Let this tool guide you on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. You are worthy of this. And you deserve it.