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My So-Called Disorder: Autism, Exploding Trucks, and the Big Daddy of Rock and Roll
"Being identified as autistic at an advanced age is a revelation-an "aha!" moment of the first order. It's like being told, at sixty-five, "But mon ami , you are French! You did not know?" Suddenly, and for the very first time, the accent, the beret, the funny car, and your weirdly intense interest in Jerry Lewis all make sense."
Peter O'Neil had just such a "moment" after a forty year legal career, a second marriage, three kids, a granddaughter, seven unusually solitary years of college, and a lifetime of "special interests." O'Neil tells his story with humor and grace, and makes the case that autistic and otherwise neurodivergent people bring different ways of seeing and understanding to the workplace and are valuable and necessary to any human endeavor.
"A valuable and charismatic first-hand contribution to understanding the autistic experience. Peter O'Neil's witty storytelling provides an easy-to-read call to action that bravely advocates for autistic and neurodivergent professionals. O'Neil's exploration of identity emphasizes how autistic individuals can truly thrive when their unique gifts (or quirks) are met with creativity and trust." Laura Sheridan, M.A.Ed. Psychotherapist
Peter O'Neil had just such a "moment" after a forty year legal career, a second marriage, three kids, a granddaughter, seven unusually solitary years of college, and a lifetime of "special interests." O'Neil tells his story with humor and grace, and makes the case that autistic and otherwise neurodivergent people bring different ways of seeing and understanding to the workplace and are valuable and necessary to any human endeavor.
"A valuable and charismatic first-hand contribution to understanding the autistic experience. Peter O'Neil's witty storytelling provides an easy-to-read call to action that bravely advocates for autistic and neurodivergent professionals. O'Neil's exploration of identity emphasizes how autistic individuals can truly thrive when their unique gifts (or quirks) are met with creativity and trust." Laura Sheridan, M.A.Ed. Psychotherapist
299 pages, Paperback
Published March 20, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 22, 2023
We purchased this book for our 40-year-old son, figuring that law and autism would be a good mix of interests for him. Then, my husband and I read it in advance so that we could be prepared to handle any questions or rants that it raised/triggered.
Autism is pretty individualistic, but the author's experiences ring very true and his discussion of his work in consumer law is fascinating.
Like O'Neil, I believe that autism is genetic, one favorable to natural selection, although getting those on the spectrum to reproduce is a challenge. Neuro-diversity runs in engineering families. It certainly runs in my family.
The author is fortunate in coming from a large supportive family and living in another culture for awhile, one that didn't distinguish between spectrum and foreign culture weirdness. He also found a successful employment niche and an environment where he could indulge his interests.
Autism is pretty individualistic, but the author's experiences ring very true and his discussion of his work in consumer law is fascinating.
Like O'Neil, I believe that autism is genetic, one favorable to natural selection, although getting those on the spectrum to reproduce is a challenge. Neuro-diversity runs in engineering families. It certainly runs in my family.
The author is fortunate in coming from a large supportive family and living in another culture for awhile, one that didn't distinguish between spectrum and foreign culture weirdness. He also found a successful employment niche and an environment where he could indulge his interests.
January 8, 2025
I am the third owner of this book as it was purchased by my uncle, then given to his husband, then to me in an instance that it opened his eyes to his neurodivergent reality.
Reading this to gain a better understanding of my uncle's lived experience, I found that the book was written in a thoughtful, authentic manner.
The layout is wonky and there is a fair amount of repetition, but at least the latter is addressed in the foreward so I can't fault the writer that badly. I do think that the repetition lacks impact when it's used verbatim though.
Overall it read smoothly and I was charmed to learn more about Peter and his neurodivergent life.
Reading this to gain a better understanding of my uncle's lived experience, I found that the book was written in a thoughtful, authentic manner.
The layout is wonky and there is a fair amount of repetition, but at least the latter is addressed in the foreward so I can't fault the writer that badly. I do think that the repetition lacks impact when it's used verbatim though.
Overall it read smoothly and I was charmed to learn more about Peter and his neurodivergent life.
June 15, 2026
My So Called Disorder was an excellent read! A journey of discovery, self understanding mastering unique interests and making the most of life and one’s unique gifts. An entertaining, relatable, funny and thoughtful read. Highly recommended for anyone, but particularly if you or someone you know is autistic.
December 1, 2025
A good read!
I thoroughly enjoyed O’Neil’s memoir. There’s just the right mixture in this book: facts about the aspects of a neurodivergent life, mixed in with stories about the ups and downs of living that life. The reader is invited in, and will get a lot out of the journey.
I thoroughly enjoyed O’Neil’s memoir. There’s just the right mixture in this book: facts about the aspects of a neurodivergent life, mixed in with stories about the ups and downs of living that life. The reader is invited in, and will get a lot out of the journey.
March 28, 2025
This is my book, and I originally posted this "review" because the book accidentally found itself on the page of another Peter O'Neil. Since I don't know how to remove the "review" entirely, I'll just use this space to thank those who have read it, and especially thank those who have reviewed it, here and elsewhere. And to paraphrase my hero, "if you feel it and like it," please, review it and tell your friends to buy it! Thanks.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews