Book review: living with autism before diagnosis

Visual from book cover A Different Sort of Normal by Abigail Balfe

Exposure’s autistic author, Max Ferreira reads how young people like him cope before knowing they have a special need

In recent years there’s been a huge increase of young people in the UK waiting for an autism diagnosis. And I often wonder what would it be like to be undiagnosed with autism. One day I found an interesting non-fiction book about a young person with the hidden learning difficulty. It’s called A Different Sort of Normal.

Published in 2021, A Different Sort of Normal is about the life of Abigail Balfe growing up. Abigail shares her thoughts on challenges she faced from her childhood without knowing she’s autistic until becoming a young adult.

What I like about it is how Abigail addressed her experience with the hidden disability in the easiest way possible, as well as providing useful information about the behaviours of young autistic people, like strict routines, special interests and social problems.

Along with Abigail’s unique art style bringing the book to life I also like the key words included (e.g. Ableism, Allistic, Infodumping) and tips like how to help someone in a situation of being overwhelmed.

In an Interview for Better Reading Abigail said, “I wanted to inspire hope and acceptance, as well as show children just how important it is to be kind to each other because you never know what’s going on in someone else’s life or in someone else’s head. I wanted the book to feel like having a chat with a friend, rather than an adult person telling them lots of serious stuff.”

A chapter where Abigail talks about going through puberty really took me by surprise

This demonstrates how Abigail wanted to showcase her experience for a wider audience to help others going through being undiagnosed, whilst questioning behaviour and the world around them. Even those who don’t have a hidden learning difficulty can learn how to be open-minded when they meet someone with autism or any other special needs.

Although the book is aimed for children aged 8 to 12, there’s something for older young people to understand when they grow up. For example, a chapter where Abigail talks about going through puberty really took me by surprise.

According to the National Autistic Society, “many autistic women and girls struggle to get a diagnosis, receive a diagnosis late in life or are misdiagnosed with conditions other than autism. They might seem to have fewer social difficulties than autistic men and boys.”

This means for young people like Abigail mask their autistic traits and were able to attach themselves to friendship groups which isn’t healthy, going into the unknown without warming, let alone unable to share your true colours.

Abigail didn’t get her autism diagnosis until she was 33 years old, and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) four years later.

However, what Abigail created is something celebrating young people’s ability, creativity and experience in the world of being autistic, regardless of gender and background. People like writer/savant Daniel Tammet and actress Ella Maisy Purvis – who also got their autism diagnosis late – had to adjust living with the learning disability and managed to achieve the success they have today.

I found Abigail’s book colourful, educational and resourceful

With better understanding and support, young people can help each other with our needs, limits and capabilities to accomplish in the world around them.

A Different Sort of Normal was nominated at the 2022 British Books Award for Children’s Non-fiction Book of the Year. Elle McNicoll, author of A Kind of Spark stated, “This book is what I needed as a kid! Empathetic, joyful and beautifully authentic. I loved it!”

Overall, I found Abigail’s book colourful, educational and resourceful for young people to understand the information and symptoms before and after getting an autism diagnosis.

Like Abigail, I like writing articles for Exposure about my own view and experience of autism with short stories, reviews and other ideas I have contributed to the youth media industry.

I recommend the book to give a good understanding to young people with autism and learning difficulties.

You can order A Different Sort of Normal now on Amazon and check out Abigail’s website.