Dr. Devon Price, a social psychologist and author, offers profound insights into autism and neurodiversity as a proud autistic individual. He explores the complexities of masking and the quest for authenticity, reminding us of the societal pressures faced by autistic people. Dr. Price advocates for celebrating neurodiversity and critiques traditional models that focus solely on pathology. He emphasizes the importance of fostering genuine connections and understanding unique communication styles, encouraging a supportive community that values individuality over conformity.
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Personal Journey to Autism
Devon Price's burnout and a cousin's autism assessment led him to research autism.
This sparked a journey of self-discovery, community engagement, and advocacy.
insights INSIGHT
Neurodiversity as a Threat
Traditional psychology prioritizes upholding power systems over individual struggles.
The neurodiversity approach threatens this framework by challenging societal norms.
insights INSIGHT
Bottom-Up Processing
Autism involves bottom-up processing, impacting sensory input, social interaction, and cognitive processing time.
Autistic individuals build a whole from details, unlike neurotypical top-down processors.
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Devon Price's "Laziness Doesn't Exist" challenges the pervasive societal myth that laziness is a character flaw. The book argues that perceived laziness often stems from underlying medical conditions, mental health struggles, or systemic barriers. Price explores the societal pressures that lead to burnout and the ways in which individuals are often unfairly judged for their productivity levels. He advocates for a more compassionate and understanding approach to productivity, recognizing the diverse factors that influence an individual's ability to work and function. The book promotes self-compassion and encourages readers to challenge their own assumptions about motivation and effort. It offers a powerful message of hope and resilience for those struggling with perceived laziness.
Unmasking Autism
Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity
Devon Price
In 'Unmasking Autism', Dr. Devon Price explores the lives of Autistic individuals who have spent their lives masking their true selves to fit societal norms. The book delves into the reasons behind this masking, its impact on mental health, and the journey towards embracing one’s authentic identity. Drawing from personal experience, history, social science research, and personal profiles, Price offers a compassionate guide for Autistic people seeking to unmask and for allies looking to support them. The book includes practical exercises such as celebrating special interests, cultivating Autistic relationships, reframing Autistic stereotypes, and rediscovering one’s values. It is a powerful call for acceptance and understanding, making it an essential read for anyone interested in neurodiversity and mental health[2][3][5].
This episode dives deep into some of the more foundational questions around being Autistic and neurodiversity, tying this into the larger systems we are embedded in. Our guest, Dr. Devon Price, helps us explore the concepts of masking and authenticity and how we, as professionals supporting Autistic people, can push back against these pressures. Dr. Devon Price is a social psychologist, professor, author, and proudly Autistic person. He has written 'Unmasking Autism' and 'Laziness Doesn't Exist'.
View show notes and transcript at learnplaythrive.com/podcast
Two Sides of the Spectrum 
