UNMASKED - Reading and Reviewing Ellie Middleton's Book
Added 2024-08-10 17:30:02 +0000 UTCAHH! I loved this book sooo much!
If you want a copy of the book (this is an affiliate link, but feel free to buy it elsewhere!): https://amzn.to/3YEOwXx
And if you want to pre-order Ellie's new book (it sounds so good): https://amzn.to/3YEOwXx
If you want to follow Ellie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliemidds/
Hopefully you enjoy this format! Why do I always make everything sooo long 😭 Lots more exclusive content to come shortly 🐌💛
Comments
Very late post, but you mentioning Microsoft Word sucking is so true! For anyone who just needs to write an essay or make a spreadsheet: Libre Office is a free program that is very similar to Word and Excel, and can even view and edit Word and Excel documents. Hopefully this can save some people $150 dollars for Microsofts terrible software. (Or you can just use google docs online, but Libre Office is nice because it actually runs on your computer rather than being web based). Very widely used very trustworthy program, they are open source and community supported sort of like wikipedia and firefox. Okay special interest "Technology that saves people money" completed.
Jonathon
2025-12-11 22:57:42 +0000 UTCThe collectiveness that the black autistic woman was talking about is something that I experience with being transgender I feel like I have to have my shit together all the time and be willing to be friendly with people all the time bc there experience with me as one trans guy will effect how they see all trans mascs or all trans people in general. Sometimes even all lgbtq people or gay poeple as well because i also am bisexual its very tiring.
Lance Cee
2025-11-14 02:11:21 +0000 UTCI’m very late to this video but in answer to your wonderings of what an autistic person without ADHD looks like, hi, I’m one of those. I still have executive functioning issues mainly with feeding myself, getting out of bed and showering but they are not to the extent of the people I know with ADHD. I am otherwise very organised, always on time, not very forgetful, and don’t really lose things.
Rachel Sexton
2024-11-06 15:36:21 +0000 UTCI've wondered a lot about the difference between how executive disfunction presents in autism and how executive disfunction presents in ADHD. I'm self-identified AuDHD myself, I have one child with a dual diagnosis and another child who is autistic without ADHD. My autistic child obviously does has some difficulties with executive function but they don't struggle to form new habits, they're not forgetful at all, and they don't find organising things difficult in the same way that my AuDHD child and I do.
Amy Jackson-Turnbull
2024-10-20 22:39:21 +0000 UTCabout people not doing what they said they would: sometimes they say they have to leave but then they keep talking or they take too much time to leave, and that stresses me out a lot, and sometimes I tell them that they said they would leave and I know it's rude, like I was telling them that I want them to leave, but I'm not: it's them who said it! And I can't just do any further actions (including talking) until they do what they said x)
Orion van Helden
2024-09-10 18:20:26 +0000 UTCI'm so glad you enjoyed! 💛
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-09-02 23:07:16 +0000 UTCThank you for this interesting review. Listening to you is really nice!
Riin123
2024-09-02 18:09:42 +0000 UTCI probably should've toned-tagged that as a joke, sorry! Sadly my granny had Parkinson's, so I know dopamine is much more complicated than just making you happy.
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-09-02 10:22:53 +0000 UTCIt can be so tricky with family! I'd say go for it. Hopefully she'll come around with time 💛
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-30 21:54:19 +0000 UTCI picked up on that too in love on the spectrum and it really bothered me. I don't know much about Australian culture but I do live in the U.S. and I've also had experiences talking with NT people who specialize in working with autistic people can be condescending. Ex: laughing at something I said when it wasn't meant to be funny. It bothers me. As for support in the U.S. I would agree with you there! Also finding a therapist who identified as ND was incredibly helpful for me, so there is always that option.
Zoe Volpa
2024-08-30 19:00:55 +0000 UTCI was literally just thinking about this again yesterday and so it was great to read your perspective! I think that makes a lot of sense.
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-28 21:28:30 +0000 UTCYou're allowed to use it, it's fine (not that you need my permission 😅) I have words that give me the ick too!
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-28 21:27:02 +0000 UTCJust wanted to give a kind correction for the often mischaracterized drug, dopamine. It is often labeled as the "happy" or "pleasure" drug, but while it can be involved in producing those sensations, it is better characterized as a motivation drug (for or against doing something). So in your video, you said you're not happy enough to have too much dopamine. Sorry, not trying to criticize, it's just one of those myths that gets repeat so often that it seems to be true. I know you don't claim to be an expert, but functionally, you kind of are (the actual experts are too busy pathologizing us😭), so it is worth being aware of
Nath
2024-08-28 18:55:14 +0000 UTCI'm very tempted to buy this book for my mom, who has been leaning of the greatest hits of "everyone is a *little* autistic" and "you're just quirky, not disordered" 🫠 But also scared it'll be met with more invalidation 😮💨
Hannah Holeman
2024-08-24 20:26:23 +0000 UTCI’m currently doing a course on autism. I was deeply offended that people still think we have no empathy in this day and age. I think it’s the opposite. I have a deadline. I’m currently finished on the questions but I’m having to try to rewrite it. My handwriting is pretty bad but online I can’t get away with using magnifying glasses my deadline for book 1 is 28th August. I’m literally rewriting it up re questions I think I got the wrong end of the stick on. I can relate to what the author is saying completely.
Maria Nelson
2024-08-23 09:37:33 +0000 UTCYou're probably going to hate me because I do call myself neurodiverse. My sensory issues are affected by words, and the word neurodivergent gives me the ick for some reason. I wouldn't correct anybody for saying it, but I do not say that unless I have to. I've seen people use those terms interchangeably. 'I use words in weird ways, though, I guess.
The Ticked Off Piano Player
2024-08-22 11:19:58 +0000 UTCWanted to respond to your question about privilege. To expand on your analogy, as a person who is bi I understand when people say there is privilege in being able to pass as straight, and I think it is true in some ways. If I am involved with someone and it looks like a traditional straight relationship there can be advantages to that. I don't think it's necessarily wrong to recognize some level of privilege or at least to acknowledge that in that situation there are some hardships I may be spared from. On the other hand there are also ways in which that can hurt me. Feeling invalidated, feeling pressure to pass as straight, feeling like I need to hide part of myself to be accepted, or being misunderstood or not seen for who I really am based on who I am with can all be hurtful and contribute to worse mental health. From that perspective I would say it's kind of both. Being able to mask (both as an lgbtq person and as a neurodivergent person) is a privilege in some ways, but also comes with its own set of unique challenges and harms. I am willing to be convinced otherwise, but that is how I see it at the moment. Really enjoyed your overview of the book 🐌
Thomas
2024-08-22 04:22:00 +0000 UTC🐌 Why snails? Thanks for the walk through of this book. Looking forward to your review of Paige's book. I'm only about 20 pages in or less.
JelliCat
2024-08-21 19:51:00 +0000 UTCJust sent you a DM on discord, no rush.
Glen Rose
2024-08-21 12:16:21 +0000 UTC🐌
Emily M
2024-08-21 01:46:03 +0000 UTC🐌
Abi Gough
2024-08-18 20:00:35 +0000 UTCThank you 🥹
Glen Rose
2024-08-14 21:58:23 +0000 UTCThank you so so much! I'm the same - I have lots of creators I watch religiously and i definitely have some parasocial relationships going on. I don't think it's anything to feel bad about - it can be super comforting 😊
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-14 21:35:16 +0000 UTCAww, that's such a lovely compliment because this book is wonderful! We had such similar life experiences!
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-14 21:32:48 +0000 UTCThank you soo much, Glen! That showreel is incredible!! I agree, you're super talented. Much prefer your non- Chat GPT application, don't worry 😂 I'm definitely planning to look for some editing help sometime in the very hear future!
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-14 21:32:00 +0000 UTCThank you for sharing your experience!
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-14 21:24:20 +0000 UTCThank you so much, both! That's really kind (and don't worry, it doesn't sound stalkerish!) I'm really glad you enjoy my content 🥹💛
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-14 21:23:51 +0000 UTCOh, I'm glad! Hope you enjoy reading it 💛 The second book sounds so good! It would be great to read it around release, which is super soon. I'll put it on the next poll!
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-14 21:22:03 +0000 UTCThank you - I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 💛✨🐌
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-14 21:15:38 +0000 UTCThat's a great idea!
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-14 21:14:56 +0000 UTC🐌
Megan
2024-08-14 15:37:20 +0000 UTCI'm so glad you enjoyed it! They're soo fun to make. I'll keep them coming! 💛
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-14 15:25:13 +0000 UTC🐌
Cheryl Roberts
2024-08-13 21:00:13 +0000 UTCI love it when you do book reviews! Thank you for all the time and thought you put into these. I read this book as soon as you mentioned it earlier on and it’s now one of my top autistic fav books. Thank you! I always look forward to your videos.
Nova
2024-08-13 20:21:48 +0000 UTCYou're so kind 😭 Thank you soo much 🐌
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-13 11:44:09 +0000 UTCDon’t even worry about the length of the video- I put it on and got things done around the house 👍🏻👍🏻 I definitely want to read this book- my library doesn’t have it on kindle, so I’ll be looking for a physical copy for sure! Thank you for all your content. I always appreciate your thoughtfulness and balance of views/opinions in various topics. Hope you and your family are having a good day! 🐌 PS Just watched Ellie’s video from 6 days ago where she talks about the difference between her first and second books- I would love if you did a part 2 video covering her new book- it sounds really good!
Kayla
2024-08-13 01:49:30 +0000 UTCI have really enjoyed your last two book reviews, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming one as well. I always get excited when I see the notification that there’s a new video from you! I’m grateful for the hard work you put in and I love being a patron, thank you Meg! 🐌📚
Coco
2024-08-12 19:01:11 +0000 UTC🐌 I read the book Quiet before I was diagnosed ASD and related strongly to the experiences in that book, especially what the book called highly sensitive individuals. It was because of that book that I started to identify myself as introveted every time someone commented on how quiet I was, which is often. Upon reflection I do wish autism had been mentioned and how it could relate to introversion, there does seems to be a lot of overlap to the point I'm not sure where the line between ASD and introversion is.
Andoo
2024-08-12 11:02:13 +0000 UTC🐌✨️ Thank you so much for sharing your reading and your thoughts with us, it's truly lovely to listen to you! I'd love to read this book too, I think it'll help on many levels.. ✨️🐌
Helle
2024-08-12 08:49:20 +0000 UTCThis was a great review, thanks! 🐌
Eleesa B
2024-08-12 01:09:32 +0000 UTCI totally agree about Megs voice! I’ve been binge watching all her content and that’s why I originally joined Patreon because I really enjoy coming home to relax or clean and listening to her videos! They’re always so positive and fun! Hopefully that doesn’t sound weird at all 😂 not trying to be stalkerish just really enjoy the content LOL!!
Issey Sherman
2024-08-11 21:48:05 +0000 UTCI’d love if you talked about Chloe Hayden’s book!!
Issey Sherman
2024-08-11 21:46:38 +0000 UTC🐌💕
Issey Sherman
2024-08-11 21:46:28 +0000 UTCSnail
Jayme Helgeson
2024-08-11 20:45:39 +0000 UTC🐌 This is definitely going on my list of Must-Reads! Thanks for this thoughtful video
M
2024-08-11 20:45:09 +0000 UTCHellloo Meg, I enjoyed this. Ellie is so wholesome and sweet!! I definitely need to read her book forsure!!!!
Emanuel
2024-08-11 20:02:01 +0000 UTCIs it not there? It's definitely available on UK for me, but maybe it's different elsewhere 😭
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-11 17:49:08 +0000 UTCI think this is the first book on Autism that I'll buy. I can use sections of it to show my wife to help explain myself. I can also make notes to explain to my family so the other autistics can have a better idea of what it is to help them understand themselves better and maybe seek an assessment.
Chuck Hargis
2024-08-11 17:40:15 +0000 UTCI just tried to find this book on audible because I am excited to read/ hear it. Hopefully it will be on there soon so I can get my chance
Cheryl Roberts
2024-08-11 16:54:11 +0000 UTCI must get this book the accommodations are important too I have to have accommodations at work for my ADHD I have my autism assessment in December so I will need to get further accommodations based in my assessment
Cheryl Roberts
2024-08-11 16:48:35 +0000 UTCReally enjoyed your overview! 🐌
Jen G
2024-08-11 16:35:24 +0000 UTCAbout not taking up too much space on the internet as low-support-needs autistic person, I would highly disagree. I knew almost only about the higher-support-need-autistic people, but I didn't know that autism could show itself in people "like us", where we kinda do survive in this world, we just struggle more than nt's, but have it better than hsn-people. I don't think there's enough people talking about how the diagnosis actually look like in "real life people", we mostly see the movie versions, which often is stereotypes and exaggerated
Maria Grøndahl-Schwarz
2024-08-11 16:15:05 +0000 UTCi hope you don't mind a compliment but your voice is so soothing, i love your rambling. i enjoyed it even tho i never really had to mask, it gives me a differed point of view between a later diagnosed adult/teenager and a child diagnosed adult/teenager.
Rainbow Butterfly
2024-08-11 15:09:40 +0000 UTCI'm autistic with no trace of ADHD and I can tell you the executive dysfunction is still part of my experience. I would guess it has more to do with anxiety/depression, I never had ED problems before I unmasked enough to realize I was masking from myself. That sounds confusing to me but I hope it makes sense.
Erik Oshier
2024-08-11 13:15:02 +0000 UTCThanks Meg, for another great video. I'm going to purchase this book right after posting this comment. When you talk about wishing there was more help after one's autism diagnosis it reminds me of thoughts I've had about this same thing in the past. Here, in the US, there are some services for autistic people after their diagnosis, but I've found them to be such as waste of time. To me, they are the autism equivalent of gay conversion camp. The best "therapy" I've found is reading books like the ones you review, talking to other autistic people, being on your Discord server, and consuming Temple Grandin content and content from other autistic people who just inspire the hell out of me and help me to purge myself of all the emotional baggage from my past. I like that you mention Chloe Hayden as a person who is inspiring when it comes to unmasking. I love how blunt, direct, and seemingly unmasked she is in her content. When I watched Heartbreak High her portrayal of autism and the conversations she had about her autism made me cry a lot and create a wonderful, concise model for how conversations about autism and asking for essential accommodations can look. I have an, albeit pretty uneducated, hunch that part of her ability to self-advocate so effectively might be the culture in Australia, and in particular, the way the youth in Australia is raised. I remember watching the US and Australian versions of Love on the Spectrum. And I couldn't help but notice that the autistic people in the Australian version of the show seemed to be talked to by their family and friends more as equals, and the autistic people in the US seemed to be talked to in a more condescending and childlike manner by the people around them. And when the backlash about the show infantilizing autism came out, I couldn't help but notice that the parts I thought might be infantilizing were mostly in the US version of the show. I've felt this way when contrasting other Australian media with US media as well. I might be completely wrong about this, but it's just a hunch.
VykkDraygo
2024-08-11 12:10:29 +0000 UTCI loved the sound of this book and will def be preordering her next book 🐌
Katie Flanagan
2024-08-11 11:13:05 +0000 UTCYou don’t come across as rambling to me, i think sharing your experiences in such detail is really refreshing to hear. 😁 When you’ve gone your whole life feeling isolated for your experiences, like you’re on an island experiencing the world seemingly completely differently to everyone else, hearing someone describe their experiences and it coinciding with yours feels like you’re finally not entirely on your own. A specific example that comes to mind (of many!) is when you spoke about thinking you’ll be okay with a plan changing (or even knowing it might!), and then it happening and feeling yourself getting overwhelmed by it (even though you told yourself you’d be okay with it!). I’ve not heard anyone share that experience before, and have often thought unkindly about myself in the past because of this happening. Yet, hearing you speak about it has alleviated that pressure a little bit and I thank you for that! 🌠🐌
Peaches
2024-08-11 10:05:01 +0000 UTCI read this book recently and was blown away by it! When I was reading it there were so many things that reminded me of your incredible content. At one pont I was wondering if Ellie had been watching your videos haha
Lee
2024-08-11 08:46:36 +0000 UTCI am always so happy when you post something here or on YouTube :) I only have one friend , they are autistic but lives hour away so autistic people on the internet often “substitute” as a social “interaction”. I’ve felt bad about it but I feel good. It’s society that “tells” the message that you need to be really social and have many irl friends. I don’t feel lonely when I’ve you and other creators on the internet. So thank you for all you do Megan ! 💗🌻🐌
El NJ
2024-08-11 04:32:02 +0000 UTCAlso loving your book videos. Just had to remember to advocate for myself while I remembered 🤣🤣🤣... then forgot to watch the rest of the video while I was on a hyperfocus tangent lol. Have an icepack on standby incase of book injuries. Take care Meg.
Glen Rose
2024-08-11 02:24:56 +0000 UTCHere's my showreel from when I could work LOL (please don't expect that level of talent, even I'm intimidated of past Glen's efforts 😳) https://youtu.be/igVf3lVXLog?si=M8Ay51QowXBVYo0q
Glen Rose
2024-08-11 01:17:20 +0000 UTCHey Meg, I've been meaning to for ages slightly put my hand up to say hey I am slightly available to help with editing if you need it. I have my own equipment, correct accurate monitor, software etc (though not stock libraries) and have been told I am talented at editing (from several senior editors in Australia's limited TV scene which include my wife). The only thing is I don't want to burn myself out as I know my limits are currently low (this job interview is going well lol 😅). I also have been trying to finish off my presentation on mental health / neurodivergence as well beside you know being a full time parent/carer of my 2 neurodivergent children (also would love to start my own channel one day). I should in theory be able to do an odd video every now and then if that helps. Note to self replace all the above with generic chatGPT job IV to sound neurotypical. Also remember to delete this comment to remove all evidence of reality. Remember to mask, just push through...and please stop ranting to appear normal 😜 Thanks Meg for any potential opportunity 🙃
Glen Rose
2024-08-11 01:12:03 +0000 UTC🐌 - thanks for the video!
Defiant Daisy
2024-08-11 00:33:03 +0000 UTCNo worries at all! I'm staying up to catch up on editing tonight 😂💛 Have a lovely night too! And happy emoji-ing!!
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-11 00:26:12 +0000 UTC🐌
Fern
2024-08-11 00:15:44 +0000 UTCThank You, Meg, that was quick; I am impressed as Germany and Brittain have just one hour timezone-difference :-) But You seem to think I am as good at You with computers - no I´m not!!! Too long had no, old not-digital-native here (Gen X) But hey, as I learned how to start a new paragraph using shift+enter there is hope, hang on...😮OHHHH! IT WORKED!!! Ha, made a bookmark of this in my menu, THANK YOU🫶 Have a good night
Katzenbekloppt
2024-08-11 00:13:00 +0000 UTCYou can copy and paste emojis from here: https://emojipedia.org/ Or you might have a shortcut you can use on your laptop to bring up an emoji keyboard 😊
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-11 00:00:50 +0000 UTCI don´t want the book as I have to much unread at the moment. But I want to know how I could put on a snail here, there aren´t no emojies at all. Or is it because I use it on my laptop (need big screen and a keyboard and my phone can´t manage one more app)?
Katzenbekloppt
2024-08-10 23:54:43 +0000 UTC🐌
jenniferaslan
2024-08-10 22:57:07 +0000 UTCAw, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! And I hope you love the book as much as I did 💛
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-10 21:42:39 +0000 UTCJust ordered Ellie’s book! Loved your perspective on the different sections and excited to see more book reviews in the future
Marianne Salas
2024-08-10 21:37:09 +0000 UTCThank you so so much for this 💛 I'm sorry that you didn't get help in the past. Seems like things are slowly getting better for us!
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-10 21:31:01 +0000 UTCYou're so right!! I was lucky that the main guy who did my assessment was lovely. I think they tried their best with the report, but it still provides evidence of 'disorder' etc...and just having to talk through things like bad school experience etc. It can be intense! But it's great to hear positive diagnosis stories and so wonderful that you have access to ongoing therapy. I think that just makes so much sense!
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-10 21:28:19 +0000 UTCAw, I'm so glad! 💛 I feel a bit like I'm just rambling 😅
I'm Autistic, Now What
2024-08-10 21:21:07 +0000 UTC🐌 - hearing you tie in your experiences with what’s outlined in the book is so refreshing and validating to hear from a relatability perspective. Thank you!
Peaches
2024-08-10 20:55:53 +0000 UTCCan’t wait for the Paige Layla vid
Katie Flanagan
2024-08-10 19:50:54 +0000 UTCI just wanted to say that the diagnostic process absolutely does not need to be a bad experience. The more I hear of others’ experiences, the more I realise how hugely fortunate I’ve been. Firstly in being in a position to be able to afford to pay for a private diagnosis, and secondly to find a clin psych who took a totally affirming approach, who wrote a report that didn’t feel at all uncomfortable for me to read, and who is providing ongoing therapy. I read Ellie’s book a month or so ago, but watching your review, I think I need to re-read it as you’re picking up on things that I either missed or haven’t remembered.
Paul Gould
2024-08-10 19:41:34 +0000 UTCWhat you do is incredibly valuable. I think the more ‘lower support needs’ autistic people speak up to describe their experiences, the better. Partly because we don’t get any support, so we use channels like yours to help understand ourselves better and not feel so isolated, and partly because it all adds to the overall knowledge about how autism actually feels and how it affects us, day to day. There are so many different individual experiences, the more people talking about their own personal experience - adding to the pool of knowledge- the better. I first read about neurodivergence about 25 years ago and realised I was not alone. I asked for help at that time, which didn’t go well, but if I’d had access to channels like yours back then, I could have described the problems I was having, a lot better and it wouldn’t have taken until this year to finally get diagnosed. Also, I like the way you explore and explain things in depth and from all angles.
Elyssia Cook
2024-08-10 19:26:14 +0000 UTCReally enjoyed Unmasked. More relatable to a female than Orion’s. Have Paige’s book on my to read tower! Thanks Meg!
Tessa Coker
2024-08-10 18:55:53 +0000 UTC🐌
DeltaR9A2
2024-08-10 18:40:15 +0000 UTC
