Sensory: Life on the Spectrum

Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I smiled and cried and felt my heart grow three sizes. I felt seen while reading this graphic novel. As a self-diagnosed autistic person, I have struggled with feeling valid in so many of my feelings, as I think most of us have. The forty artists in this anthology are all amazing people with so many great things to say, in both advice and support. If you are autistic or questioning, read this anthology! And if you're not, if you're neurotypical, then please read it! It will help everyone to understand a lot more about autism.

I'll be purchasing a copy of this graphic novel for myself - so that I can have it as a reminder to myself to be open and supportive to everyone (including myself!) and so that I can show it to the people around me to help them understand me better. Thank you to every one of those artists for putting this collection together!

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free comic anthology*

"Sensory: Life on the Spectrum" is an anthology of short comics by people with autism for people with autism (and allistics). I believe that I am not autisitic, though I have ADHD and many symptoms overlap, plus I have many friends who are on the spectrum. The comics are sweet, easy to understand, and very valuable. I learned so so so much! They're a mixture of self-help, self-discovery, self-love, and overall just feeling seen and understood. The spectrum is so wide and the comic does a great job trying to cover at least some nuances of what it can mean to be a person with autism.

#actuallyautistic people writing about autism is very important (#ownvoices), which is why this comic anthology is incredibly valuable.

5 Stars

If my anxiety would let me, I’d want to shout about this book from the rooftops. I’d want to hand a copy to every single person that has ever encountered me. – and I mean everyone. Friends, family, definitely my employer. Past employers. Ex friends, ex husband, EVERYONE. Including that woman that sold me a copy of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the other week. The one who looked rather taken aback as I excitedly told her that she had just sold me my 14th copy of the book, and how I collect different editions. She laughed at me and said “bless you”, her tone quite patronising. I was with my mum, so she probably thought she was my carer. It took me years to figure out why people say bless you when you haven’t sneezed. It is one of those terms that I have Googled numerous times, to try and understand the other ways that it is used.

That woman, in our small encounter, probably formed an opinion of my that isn’t correct. It happens a lot. I once had a work colleague ask me about living with my mum. They were rather surprised when they discovered I am 32 years old, live in my own home with my two children. It may not always be obvious when you meet me, but I am a fully functioning intelligent adult. I do require support at times, that is true. I felt it was needed to add in that I’m intelligent. – because people often talk down to me, and underestimate my capabilities.

I’m sorry for waffling there! Back to the book!

Sensory, life on the spectrum is an anthology book, short comic book stories told by different writers and artists of their own experiences with being on the spectrum. Every story within this gem of a book is very relatable to me. In fact, believe it or not.. I sometimes struggle to put what I want to say into word. This doesn’t happen when I write, only when I talk. I’m a good writer, terrible speaker. Many of the stories I found were able to put many of my feelings into words, when I haven’t been able to. It is one of the reads that has made me feel excepted, made me feel that I’m not alone. The book also contains some coping strategies and advice on coping with ASD as an adult.

I did receive an eBook of this book to review, however I have been so blown away with how brilliantly done it is, that I’ve pre-ordered myself a copy and will be telling everyone who will listen to read it.

Well done to everyone who worked on this book. You’ve created something amazing


moodywritesabouteverything.art.blog
Link to blog review will be shared on my social media accounts
Review will also be posted to Amazon & Waterstones

Over 30 Autistic creators have come together to share their experiences on the spectrum. From whether to use “people first” language or refer to a person as “Autistic,” to experiences of Autistic people who are Asexual and Non-binary, and so much in-between, this is an amazingly creative look at Autism, from people who are Autistic.

This is one I’ll be adding to my home collection, as well as the library’s Teen and Adult graphic novels. You have neurodiverse and Autistic people in your life, and this book deserves your time.

I really enjoyed this anthology. I myself am not autistic and, to be honest, for a long time I did not know much about it. All I knew were the little things I saw on TV shows, and those tend to be stereotypical and sometimes borderline offensive. It was such an informative read. As the comic mentions, autism looks different for each person, the experiences can differ but also relate, and there is no single definitive experience. Everyone deserves the right to be seen, heard and feel safe. We must listen and read the stories of autistic people and do our best to always support them.
Regarding the art and illustrations, I loved seeing so many different art styles and also different ways of telling stories, it was very interesting to read and see all these artists coming together to create such and amazing collection.

If you are autistic or know someone who is autistic, this can be a very comforting book for you. I cried a few time just discovering that my son is not alone and learning new things about him through this book.

Even if you are allistic, this book is wonderful. You can really see through the world through a different POV which is always a good thing. As a neurodivergent person I still related to some things in this book.

This book will become a treasured book in our house, and I cannot wait to hold the physical copy.