Developmental Disability News with a Focus on NYS

Bloom Blog Essay a Moving Look at Two Autistic Girls Struggling to Be Seen

April 19, 2023
The Boost News

First, a suggestion: Check out the Bloom blog, run by Louise Kinross and produced by the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto. It’s a beautiful mix of real family stories, expert advice, plus news and opinion on disability.

This week I wanted to link to Kinross’ blog post, “Pretending to be someone you’re not takes a toll on autistic girls.” It centers on two books and takes a look at how difficult and alienating it can be to be autistic. Frankie’s World is a graphic novel for kids that follows an autistic girl trying to fit in, while the memoir The Electricity of Every Living Thing is about a British author who after a life spent feeling like an outsider discovers, at 38, that she’s autistic.

The piece not only offers two great books to read but is a poignant look at self-acceptance.