50 pages • 1 hour read
Devon PriceUnmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2022A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 2-3Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 2 Summary: “Who Are the Masked Autistics?”
In Chapter 2, Price provides a comprehensive overview of various groups of masked Autistics, delving into the diverse ways Autism manifests across different demographics and personal experiences. The chapter provides an exploration of how societal expectations and biases influence the recognition and self-perception of Autistic individuals.
Price begins by discussing Autistic women and gender minorities, highlighting how societal norms around gender affect the perception and treatment of Autistic traits. Autistic girls, for instance, often face less concern for their shy and withdrawn behavior compared to boys. Their meltdowns are frequently dismissed as emotional outbursts, and they tend to develop quiet, inoffensive personalities to navigate social disadvantages. Price again criticizes the concept of “female Autism,” arguing that it is not a distinct subtype but rather a reflection of social expectations leading to masking behaviors. This masking is a response to neurodiversity not being taken seriously.
The chapter then shifts to the experiences of Black and brown Autistics, emphasizing how racism and historical biases in psychology and psychiatry have impacted the recognition and treatment of Autism in these communities. Autistic people of color often face challenges in accessing culturally competent healthcare and are less likely to be referred to Autism specialists. Price discusses code-switching, a cognitive and psychological burden similar to Autistic masking, and how it can be especially taxing for Black Autistics. The danger of being perceived as hostile or difficult is heightened for Autistic people of color, leading to higher risks of institutionalization and negative encounters with law enforcement.
Price asserts that, contrary to popular belief, some Autistic individuals are highly verbal and outgoing. Since this contradicts the stereotype of Autism as a condition that renders individuals cold and uncommunicative, extroverted Autistics are rarely diagnosed correctly as children.
Moreover, Price points out that while many Autistic people can be easily overwhelmed by sensory input, others seek it out: Some are sensory seekers and others are sensory avoiders, though most Autistic people are a combination of both. Autistics who are sensory seekers crave intense stimulation, and they may seek out bright colors, loud music, parties, spicy food, rollercoasters, or other stimulating settings and activities. Their fun-seeking personas may serve as an effective mask for their Autism.
Price also acknowledges that Autism can coexist with, and be mistaken for, other conditions. For instance, there is a significant overlap between Autism and other conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, and ADHD. Furthermore, many Autistic individuals experience trauma at a young age, leading to PTSD symptoms. Autism can also be mistaken for an anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) due to similar behavioral manifestations. In addition, Price highlights the common misdiagnosis of Autistic women as having borderline personality disorder (BPD) and discusses the frequent co-occurrence of Autism with physical disabilities like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and epilepsy.
Finally, Price addresses the problematic nature of labeling Autistics as “high functioning” or “low functioning,” arguing that this classification, often based on one’s ability to appear neurotypical, fails to acknowledge the exhaustive effort and emotional toll of masking (81). Price emphasizes that the concept of functioning status is tied to capitalist values and the Protestant work ethic, which equate a person’s worth with their productivity. This outlook is alienating and ableist, he asserts, and it harms both those who can mask effectively and those who cannot.
In concluding the chapter, Price encourages Autistic individuals to embrace their identity, connect with others with similar experiences, and engage with organizations like the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.
Chapter 3 Summary: “The Anatomy of the Mask”
In this chapter, Price delves into the concept of masking, providing insights into its origins, manifestations, and the deep-seated fears and stereotypes that drive Autistic individuals to mask. Price argues that understanding the root of one’s mask is crucial in addressing the painful beliefs and fears about oneself, which are often stereotypes associated with Autism, such as being immature, unintelligent, or cold.
Price describes masking as consisting of two primary behaviors: camouflage and compensation. Camouflaging involves hiding Autistic traits to blend in with neurotypical people, in an effort not to be viewed as disabled. Compensation, on the other hand, entails using specific strategies to overcome disability-related challenges to maintain an appearance of high functioning. Masking affects various aspects of life, from career choices to personal habits, often creating a “high functioning” facade at the cost of personal well-being and stability.
Price asserts that masking is as a taxing process that demands constant effort and leads to existential turmoil. It’s often facilitated and rewarded by neurotypical people as it makes Autistic individuals more manageable and compliant. However, this leads to a double bind, trapping Autistic individuals in a cycle of masking without recognition or support for the underlying challenges they face.
Price critiques the way psychiatry and psychology have traditionally defined Autism, focusing on how it impacts neurotypicals rather than the Autistic individual’s experience. This perspective often leads to prioritizing the needs and comfort of neurotypical people over the well-being of Autistic people.
A significant portion of the chapter is dedicated to a critique of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. Price describes ABA as a treatment focused on making Autistic children appear neurotypical through a system of rewards and punishments, often disregarding the emotional and cognitive well-being of the child. For instance, ABA therapists spray patients in the face with water, or on the tongue with vinegar, when they fail to act neurotypical. Patients may also be electrocuted as a punishment. Price highlights the traumatic impacts of ABA: Many adults who underwent ABA therapy in childhood later report having PTSD as a result of the therapy (101). One former ABA therapist confessed that the ABA techniques she used with patients likely conditioned the children to be vulnerable to abuse and manipulation. Price criticizes the fact that ABA is still the only treatment covered by most insurance plans, saying that ABA prioritizes compliance over psychological health.
Price observes that even for those who don’t undergo ABA therapy, the world tends to punish behavior that deviates from neurotypical norms, reinforcing the need for masking. This societal pressure often leads Autistic individuals to overcorrect perceived flaws, either by becoming hyper-independent and emotionally avoidant or overly friendly and people-pleasing. This overcorrection is a reflection of the internalization of societal values and the projection of these values onto oneself and other disabled individuals.
Chapters 2-3 Analysis
In Chapter 2, Price further develops the theme of Challenging Stereotypes and Misconceptions About Autism. He examines how Autism manifests across different genders, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds, emphasizing that Autism is not limited to just stereotypical portrayals. Price highlights the experiences of Autistic women and gender minorities, noting how societal gender norms affect their diagnosis and treatment. In debunking a list of supposed traits of “female Autism”—which includes “[s]trikes others as emotionally immature and sensitive” and “[p]rone to outbursts or crying jags, sometimes over seemingly small things”—Price points out that “[i]t offers a very broad, very gendered list of traits that reflect a lot of cultural biases and assumptions” (56). Price shares that “I’m transgender and Autistic, and find that my experiences don’t fully slide into either the ‘female’ or ‘male’ Autism narratives” (57), elaborating that stereotypical traits associated with male Autistics include didacticism and speaking in a confident monotone. He further critiques the concept female Autism by asserting that “[c]alling any of these qualities signs of ‘male Autism’ versus ‘female Autism’ is as gender reductive as saying there’s an innately ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’ personality type” (57). Similarly, Price discusses the unique challenges faced by Black and brown Autistics, illustrating how racism and historical biases in psychology have led to their Autism often being overlooked. Price observes that “[r]acism has permeated psychology and psychiatry from its genesis” and the consequences of these origins are still felt today: “Autistic people of color frequently end up having their Autism ignored due to racism and bigotry. They’re less likely to get referrals to Autism specialists. They have an incredibly hard time finding culturally competent health care” (61). Chapter 2 crucially expands the understanding of Autism beyond the narrow confines of prevalent stereotypes.
Chapter 3 centers on the theme of Masking and Its Consequences. Price describes two primary forms of masking: camouflage and compensation. He explains that masking not only involves outward social behaviors but also affects various aspects of life, including career choices and personal habits. This relentless effort to appear neurotypical can take a significant emotional and psychological toll, leading to a state of exhaustion and instability. Price’s analysis of masking sheds light on the immense pressure Autistic individuals face to conform to neurotypical standards, often at the expense of their well-being.
Price addresses Intersectionality and Autism within the Autistic community, particularly focusing on the experiences of Black and brown Autistics. He articulates how systemic racism and the legacy of biases in mental health care contribute to disparities in diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of Autism in these communities. The chapter also explores the concept of code-switching, paralleling it with Autistic masking, to illustrate the additional cognitive and psychological burdens faced by Black Autistics. This intersectional approach highlights the necessity of considering the diverse experiences within the Autistic community, acknowledging that Autism does not exist in a vacuum but is influenced by various intersecting identities. Price highlights the threats faced specifically by Autistic people of color:
[B]eing seen as hostile or difficult can become downright dangerous. When Black and brown Autistics fail to comply with medical instructions or the directions of therapists, they’re frequently institutionalized and stripped of legal autonomy. They also have to worry about incarceration or death at the hands of police (64-65).
Price acknowledges that all disabled people are at a high risk of violence, but that that danger is multiplied for those who hold additional marginalized identities: “Approximately 50 percent of people who are killed by police have disabilities, and Black and brown Autistics are at an especially elevated risk” (65).
In Chapter 3, Price critiques the current therapies available for Autistic individuals, particularly focusing on ABA. He describes ABA as a method that prioritizes making Autistic children appear neurotypical, often through harsh and punitive techniques, which can be traumatic and have long-lasting psychological impacts. This reinforces the book’s theme of Masking and Its Consequences, since ABA essentially trains children to mask, enforcing this through coercion and punishment, and leaving them vulnerable to further abuse: After undergoing this therapy, “[m]any don’t know how to refuse an unreasonable demand, or how to express emotions like anger or fear. One former ABA therapist confessed on an anonymous blog that she worries she conditioned her patients to be easy to manipulate and abuse” (101). Price emphasizes that ABA therapy, despite being widely used and often the only therapy covered by insurance, is more about enforcing compliance than addressing the psychological needs of Autistic patients. This critique highlights the urgent need for resources, support, and accommodations that genuinely center the needs and emotional well-being of Autistic individuals.
