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Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking
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The Loud Hands Project, a project of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, was funded through IndieGoGo to create an anthology titled Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking. Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking is a collection of essays written by and for Autistic people. Spanning from the dawn of the Neurodiversity movement to the blog posts of today, Loud Hands: Autistic P
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(showing 1-30)
The only thing above a book that's unputdownable is the one you have to stop, pause, take in the sheer strength of what you've just read after every essay. Loud Hands is one of those. I never thought I'd say this about an anthology, but I found every single contribution valuable. Some spoke to my experience, others broadened my perspective. The contributions were heartfelt, articulate, sometimes angry, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes beautiful. Reading it, I felt a palpable sense of being on
...more
great book, mind the small print and buy on Kindle if you can. my husband's chapter is on Throwing Away the Master's Tools: Liberating Ourselves from the Pathology Paradigm. if you have ever wondered why we need to talk about Autistic people instead of "people with autism" or how to truly be an ally in this movement, this is the book for you.
instead of listening to neurotypical so-called experts and scared neurotypical parents, read this book and listen to Autistics teach about autism and the ne ...more
instead of listening to neurotypical so-called experts and scared neurotypical parents, read this book and listen to Autistics teach about autism and the ne ...more
MUST READ. If you live in this world, this is a must read. If you teach, this is a must read. If you parent, this is a must read. If you interact with other people, this is a must read. Seriously. Buy. Read. Now.
Feb 22, 2017
Linus
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
neurodivergent,
this-is-cool
This is a great collection, I learned so much. I felt like the way racism was handled was a bit odd though - there were a few essays in which parallels were drawn between ableism and racism, without ever discussing the intersections. That looked a bit like some authors were using these comparisons as a way to demonstrate that ableism is actually a bad thing, which would be quite clear from the material alone, I think.
If you're autistic, read this book.
If you're not autistic, read this book.
Though I'd read most of these essays previously, it's incredibly powerful to see them all in one place. It's real. It's intimate. It's gut-wrenching. It's beautiful. This is the most important book ever published on the subject of autism and, in my opinion, one of the most important books, period.
If you're not autistic, read this book.
Though I'd read most of these essays previously, it's incredibly powerful to see them all in one place. It's real. It's intimate. It's gut-wrenching. It's beautiful. This is the most important book ever published on the subject of autism and, in my opinion, one of the most important books, period.
Feb 28, 2016
Elizabeth
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
autism,
nonfiction
How is this book not in every library? (Rhetorical question.)
Minus one star because I kept thinking of how Lydia and others created All the Weight of Our Dreams: On Living Racialized Autism because this book (and so much of everything else by/about autistic folks) is almost all white people.
Minus one star because I kept thinking of how Lydia and others created All the Weight of Our Dreams: On Living Racialized Autism because this book (and so much of everything else by/about autistic folks) is almost all white people.
This book taught me so much about myself and my community and the ways I can self-advocate and advocate for others. Absolutely a must read for anyone on the autism spectrum or who knows someone on the spectrum. Changed my life.
Apr 26, 2015
Savannah
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
everyone, but especially autistics and whose with autistics in their lives.
I'm actually in this book, so I'm going to refrain from an in depth review- please read this and rec it to your friends, family, teachers, and co workers. The essays from my fellow autistics are incredibly important to help you get a good sense of what it is to live an autistic life in this world.
Dec 18, 2015
Opal
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Autistics, family + friends, teachers, those working w/ autistic people. (also uh. everyone)
Three people are borrowing this book after me, and I'm not at all leery of letting them read it. I honestly feel they'll be more knowledgeable/aware after reading it. There's my ringing endorsement! (My local public library, [linked here], actually purchased the copy I read after I put in a request.)
I found all the authors' pieces to be extremely intense. The tones varied--angry, sardonic, determined, among others--but all read strongly and clearly. Loudly, even.
There were some especially good q ...more
I found all the authors' pieces to be extremely intense. The tones varied--angry, sardonic, determined, among others--but all read strongly and clearly. Loudly, even.
There were some especially good q ...more
This amazing anthology goes a long way towards answering skeptics of the Autism rights movement and exploring the truly oppressive realities Autistic people, especially Autistic youth, face from the wider society. The section of the book entitled "What They Do To Us" was for me both the most compelling and the most disturbing section of the book, highlighting as it did the evils that occur at the intersection of ableism and ageism. One of my best friends, Shain Neumeier, has an excellent piece i
...more
Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speakingis a collection of essays written by the growing Autistic self-advocate community. I did not read Loud Hands, cover to cover, but dipped into it over about 6 weeks (before having to return it to the library). Like any collection of essays or short stories, the quality varies, but several of the pieces haunted me for days.
The best of the pieces in this volume should be required reading for parents new to Autism-land. Thankfully, many of the entries, such as J ...more
The best of the pieces in this volume should be required reading for parents new to Autism-land. Thankfully, many of the entries, such as J ...more
This book was beyond excellent. I am a parent to an autistic teen and sometimes have trouble seeing the world from his view, and sometimes he has trouble explaining it to me. This have me wonderful insight to the autistic community and how important the voices of autistics are. I know that I work hard to teach my son self advocacy skills, an am reminded that this is his road that I am walking with him to be a support. Thanks for this wonderful book!
Jan 13, 2018
Alice Lemon
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
neurodiversity
Wow. I'd been meaning to read this for quite a while, but I didn't expect it to hit me quite so hard when I did. I loved the book, even if it's a bit hard for me to put into words why.
Although it's not clear to me that Autism Network International exists anymore--their website is years out-of-date--Jim Sinclair's essay on the development of it as an autistic community and culture was very moving, and reminded me of just how lucky I've been since college to have found friends with similar autism ...more
Although it's not clear to me that Autism Network International exists anymore--their website is years out-of-date--Jim Sinclair's essay on the development of it as an autistic community and culture was very moving, and reminded me of just how lucky I've been since college to have found friends with similar autism ...more
Educate Yourself
A must read for every person in our world, especially public school teachers, coordinators, administrators, and leaders. Educators, read this book slowly and carefully. It is full of things that go against the grain of most things we have been taught. Amazing read from true masters in the subject of autism. Spend time reading the pages of bullet points at the ending from the contributors. Concise and priceless thoughts, tips, suggestions straight from the source.
A must read for every person in our world, especially public school teachers, coordinators, administrators, and leaders. Educators, read this book slowly and carefully. It is full of things that go against the grain of most things we have been taught. Amazing read from true masters in the subject of autism. Spend time reading the pages of bullet points at the ending from the contributors. Concise and priceless thoughts, tips, suggestions straight from the source.
This is an extremely important and insightful book.
The one concern I have is the inclusion of essays purported to be written through FC, in which case the authentic authorship by autistic persons comes into question, given the overwhelming body of research evidence discrediting FC as authentic communication. Although I suppose that there is a possibility in some cases, that’s not a judgement I can make, and I don’t feel comfortable with that.
The one concern I have is the inclusion of essays purported to be written through FC, in which case the authentic authorship by autistic persons comes into question, given the overwhelming body of research evidence discrediting FC as authentic communication. Although I suppose that there is a possibility in some cases, that’s not a judgement I can make, and I don’t feel comfortable with that.
Absolutely amazing, exactly what I needed as the antidote to the tragic narrative and medical illness model of Autism that dominates the conversation online in autistic forums and through organizations like Autism Speaks. If you are Autistic or you love someone who is Autistic you owe it to yourself to read this beautiful collection of essays.
Rich incidental resourcing. Multiple contributors. Self-advocacy. "Late" dx. Ouch. Hub didn't make it past the dedication, which lists autistic people killed by their own family members.
Next edition would improve by including an index of essays by contributor.
Next edition would improve by including an index of essays by contributor.
Required reading for anyone who loves or works with or in any way shares space with people who have Autism. Seriously. Read it.
I'm really happy this book exists, but not overwhelmed by the book itself.
The Best Things:
-> The title is fan-fucking-tastic! (Loud hands!!)
-> The piece on the Judge Rotenberg Center.
-> Pieces on institutionalization & ableism by Cal Montgomery.
Criticisms:
-> There was a piece from someone "using" facilitated communication (FC). Just from brief Internet searching, it sure seems like there's no evidence for the validity of FC, and lots of common-sense evidence against FC.
-> ...more
The Best Things:
-> The title is fan-fucking-tastic! (Loud hands!!)
-> The piece on the Judge Rotenberg Center.
-> Pieces on institutionalization & ableism by Cal Montgomery.
Criticisms:
-> There was a piece from someone "using" facilitated communication (FC). Just from brief Internet searching, it sure seems like there's no evidence for the validity of FC, and lots of common-sense evidence against FC.
-> ...more
The only thing above a book that's unputdownable is the one you have to stop, pause, take in the sheer strength of what you've just read after every essay. Loud Hands is one of those. I never thought I'd say this about an anthology, but I found every single contribution valuable. Some spoke to my experience, others broadened my perspective. The contributions were heartfelt, articulate, sometimes angry, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes beautiful. Reading it, I felt a palpable sense of being on
...more
My five star rating is due to the groundbreaking importance of this book. It was written and edited by autistic people about their experiences and the urgent need to reform medical perspective and practice. A must read for anyone unfamiliar with neurodiversity theory and its applications.
An important book, featuring voices from people on the autism spectrum.
Very good at explaining the ways some people with autism do try to communicate, but their style of communication is not understood by the mainstream, so they get seen as not trying to communicate.
Very good at explaining the ways some people with autism do try to communicate, but their style of communication is not understood by the mainstream, so they get seen as not trying to communicate.
Jan 09, 2015
Mothwing
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2015,
gender-and-sex,
lgbt,
mental-health,
neuroatypical,
textbook,
violence,
abuse-and-bullying
Thoroughly thought provoking collection of pieces on autism written by autistic people themselves. Sometimes humorous, often shocking and heartbreaking especially when the treatment that autistic children and adults still have to endure in institutions is concerned.
Excellent read for anyone wanting to learn about Autism from people on the Autistic Spectrum! This is a book that is so good that you just HAVE to put it down.
Wonderful. Each story is a gem. I am so pleased to be able to read so many powerful autistic voices in one volume.
I loved this book!!! It was written so well! I highly recommend reading this. :) This has definitely been one of my favorite books.
A solid read that covers a wide range of topics in surprising depth. Necessary reading for those interested in Autism and its community.
Amazing. I've learnt a lot, thank you. Everyone should read this.
Dec 10, 2012
MJ
marked it as to-read
Pre-publication copy for being a project supporter. Learn more: http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Loud-Han...
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“I have talents that I'm not supposed to have: I can tell who crushes on who by how they stand, I can read strides, I can hear the tonal differences between an alto and a soprano singing the same line so clearly that to me they sing entirely different notes, and I can read through the lines and tell when a person doesn't need to be writing at all. That, that is what makes me a snob, because I cannot abide a person putting pen to paper or fingers on keys when they don't need to, when word choice is not as relevant and demanding and essential to them as breathing and syntax is about being correct and not about being evocative.”
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“My own recollection of this meeting is of feeling that, after a life spent among aliens, I had met someone who came from the same planet as me. We understood each other. At”
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