Understanding Autism: "We're Not Broken." Eric Garcia

"This book is a message from autistic people to their parents, friends, teachers, coworkers and doctors showing what life is like on the spectrum," writes our guest, author Eric Garcia in We're Not Broken. "It’s also my love letter to autistic people. For too long, we have been forced to navigate a world where all the road signs are written in another language.”

Garcia, who is autistic, is a senior Washington correspondent for The Independent. He has worked as a writer and reporter covering politics at The Washington Post, The Hill, and the National Journal.

"My main point is autistic people are fine as they are," Eric tells us in this episode.  “The idea that they are fundamentally flawed and failed human beings is simply not true... Instead of trying to cure autistic people, society should help them live fulfilling lives.”

For many decades, people with autism have been stigmatized and subjected to harmful myths and wild conspiracy theories— all of them hurtful. We examine how they have been mistreated and ignored, and look at how to fix our misconceptions. 

Eric's new book has been greeted with positive reviews. The Washington Post calls it "outstanding", and a "call to include autistic people in the conversations that concern them." 

Recommendations: Jim praises "Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution" on Netflix — a documentary about a groundbreaking summer camp that galvanizes a group of teens with disabilities to help build a movement, forging a new path toward greater equality. Richard is listening to "Aut-Hour", a podcast hosted by Sara Gibbs that interviews autistic authors about their life and work.

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