The Journey of Understanding: Embracing Autism

By Tracilyn George

The Journey of Understanding: Embracing Autism is a heartfelt guide to seeing autism through a lens of empathy, inclusion, and respect. Blending personal insight with practical wisdom, this book invites readers to look beyond stereotypes and truly connect with the experiences of those on the spectrum.

A powerful reminder that embracing neurodiversity enriches us all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clydesdale Books
• Release date: May 7, 2025
• ISBN: 9798231168132

Book preview

Foreword to The Journey of Understanding: Embracing Autism

In a world where information is often shared in sound bites and headlines, it is crucial to dive deeper into the stories that shape us, the experiences that define us, and the realities that are often overlooked. The Journey of Understanding: Embracing Autism is more than just a book. It is an invitation—an invitation to pause, listen, and truly understand what it means to live with autism, to navigate a world that is often unkind to those who see it differently.

As the pages unfold, you will encounter not just statistics, but personal stories—stories of resilience, of overcoming adversity, and of finding strength in a world that can feel overwhelming. Through this book, we learn that autism is not a condition to be feared or misunderstood, but rather an essential part of the diverse human experience. Embracing autism means embracing a fuller, more inclusive world.

It is unfortunate that some public figures, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., continue to promote harmful myths and misinformation about autism, especially in connection with vaccine discussions. Before opening his mouth, perhaps he should take a moment to read this book and truly understand the lived experiences of those on the autism spectrum. This book challenges the outdated, uninformed rhetoric that perpetuates stigma and offers a path forward—one of education, empathy, and acceptance.

This is not just a guide for parents or educators, but for all of us. Because understanding autism is not just about understanding others—it’s about understanding ourselves. By opening our hearts and minds, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, no matter their neurological wiring.

May this book spark a conversation, a movement, and most importantly, a shift in how we view and embrace the autism community.

— Tracilyn George

AUTISM IS NOT A TRAGEDY. IGNORANCE IS THE TRAGEDY. — KERRY MAGRO

The history of autism is a history of misunderstanding—of fear, marginalization, and myth. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as it is now known, has gone through a long evolution in public perception, clinical diagnosis, and cultural understanding. This chapter unpacks that journey: how autism was once cloaked in stigma and confusion, and how—through science, advocacy, and storytelling—it has gradually become more understood, though not always accepted.

A Mysterious Beginning

Autism was first described in 1943 by Dr. Leo Kanner, who observed a group of children displaying extreme aloneness and repetitive behaviors. Around the same time, Austrian pediatrician Dr. Hans Asperger identified similar traits in children who had strong verbal skills but significant social difficulties. For decades, however, autism remained an obscure and poorly understood diagnosis. Early theories leaned toward blaming cold, unemotional refrigerator mothers, a now-debunked notion that caused unnecessary guilt and damage to families.

These early misconceptions were not only scientifically flawed but also profoundly damaging. For years, parents were wrongly blamed for their child’s condition, as autism was mischaracterized as an emotional disturbance or, even more alarmingly, childhood psychosis. The lack of clear understanding delayed meaningful support and stigmatized families rather than helping them.

Changing Definitions and Diagnoses

It wasn’t until the 1980s that autism was more clearly distinguished from other developmental conditions. The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) began refining its criteria. The release of the DSM-III in 1980 marked a turning point, recognizing autism as a separate diagnosis, distinct from both schizophrenia and intellectual disability. Over time, definitions continued to evolve, culminating in the current umbrella term: Autism Spectrum Disorder (DSM-5, 2013).

The spectrum model is significant. It recognizes that autism presents differently in every individual—ranging from those who require substantial support in daily living to others who function independently but still face challenges, particularly in social interactions or sensory processing. This shift toward a spectrum framework helped broaden public understanding and paved the way for better advocacy.

However, this broadened diagnosis also led to misunderstandings. Media portrayals often oversimplified autism as a condition of either genius (à la Rain Man) or complete dependence. These extreme caricatures failed to represent the vast majority of autistic people, reinforcing narrow and often inaccurate ideas.

The Impact of Ignorance

Ignorance is the silent adversary of progress. Misinformation about autism is still widespread. Some believe autism is caused by vaccines—a myth that has been extensively debunked but still lingers in public discourse. Others reduce autism to merely a phase, a personality quirk, or, in more harmful instances, a condition to be fixed or cured.

This perspective is not just inaccurate—it’s dangerous. It breeds exclusion in schools, workplaces, and communities. It fuels the use of pseudoscientific treatments that can be physically and emotionally harmful. It silences autistic voices by speaking over them rather than listening to lived experience.

Autism is not the tragedy. The tragedy is the lack of curiosity and empathy shown by society. The tragedy is forcing autistic people to fit into a neurotypical mold, rather than embracing different ways of thinking, sensing, and being.

A Growing Movement Toward Understanding

Fortunately, the tide is turning. More people today recognize autism not as a disease but as a neurological difference—one that brings both challenges and strengths. Organizations led by autistic individuals, such as the Autism Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN), have re-centered the conversation. Instead of focusing on normalizing autistic behavior, they advocate for acceptance, accommodation, and celebration of neurodiversity.

Parents, educators, researchers, and most importantly, autistic people themselves are contributing to a more nuanced narrative—one that sees autism not as something to fear, but as something to understand.

We are at a crucial juncture. The more we learn, the more we realize autistic voices must be at the center of the conversation. It’s no longer about speaking for autistic individuals—it’s about listening to them.

Closing Thoughts

Autism is not a modern phenomenon—it’s a condition that has likely existed across time, culture, and geography. What’s changed is how we see it, how we speak about it, and how we choose to support those on the spectrum. The real tragedy was never autism itself—it was the long-standing refusal to see autistic people in their full humanity.

And as Kerry Magro reminds us: Autism is not a tragedy. Ignorance is the tragedy. Let this chapter be a call to confront that ignorance—and leave it in the past, where it belongs.

NORMAL IS JUST A DRYER SETTING. — PATSY CLAIRMONT

The word normal can be both a comfort and a curse. It’s often used as a benchmark, a standard of comparison for what life should look like. Normal is a flawed and inadequate term when describing the intricate, emotional, and uniquely perceptive human mind. Within the autism spectrum,  perceptions of normal can weaponize difference, portraying it as a deficit.

This chapter explores