Jennifer OToole - Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum

Praise for Autism in Heels

I am blown away. Never has a book on autism captured the female perspective with so much accuracy, grit, and flair. The perspective of the girl who models herself after typical girls but never quite fits in, and feels fraudulent, is a common but never before clearly articulated phenomenon for women with autism. Jennifers stories will resonate with women on the spectrum and women everywhere trying to find their identities and find their way navigating their life journeys. I literally could not put this book down and would recommend it to all women, those on and off the spectrum, and the men who want to better understand them.

Wendy Ross, MD, CNN Hero, Autism Society of America Person of the Year, founder of Autism Inclusion Resources

Witty, frank, and full of insight, Jennifer OTooles Autism in Heels is a major addition to a growing body of literature on the distinctive experience of women on the autism spectrum, long overlooked by researchers and clinicians. After helping to pioneer the genre with her groundbreaking Sisterhood of the Spectrum , OToole takes us deep into her often harrowing process of becoming self-aware in a world built for nonautistics, guiding us through her search for meaning and identity in a voice that is disarmingly candid, appealingly warm, and often hilariously funny. OToole is a natural storyteller. Autism in Heels is a great book.

Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity , winner of the Samuel Johnson Prize for Nonfiction

I have always considered Jennifer an Aspie mentor in terms of her insights and wisdom on life as experienced by a woman who has autism. She is a natural talent who, in Autism in Heels , has indeed written a love letter to all women. Her memoir will change our perception of autism and how those with autism will perceive themselves.

Tony Attwood, PhD, bestselling author, international speaker

Funny, moving, compelling, deep Autism in Heels is an absolute must-read not only for women on the spectrum, or people who love them, but anyone who likes a good conversation with an utterly brilliant mind.

Maia Szalavitz bestselling author and award-winning journalist covering neuroscience and addiction for Time , Scientific American , and more

Jennifer OToole allows us to witness the workings of her beautiful, brilliant mind, to share in her vulnerability, and to be thoroughly entertained by her storytelling. Through both her content and style, we get a glimpse of the intense empathy and passion that is so often misunderstood about autism, and in particular, about the unique experience of women on the spectrum. Ultimately this is a book for everyone.

Jed Baker, PhD, bestselling author, international speaker

Autism in Heels is a compelling must-read that proves autism doesnt have a set appearance. Witty and full of real-life experience, OTooles writing will appeal to all readers. She inspires hope, individuality, and certainty for those of us on the spectrum that we are not limited by our uniqueness. We really can do anything we set our minds to.

Rachel Barcellona, autism self-advocate, Miss Southeast International, Unicorn Childrens Foundation ambassador

Autism in Heels hit me to the core. Exposing the pain of perfectionism, anorexia, bullying, abuse, and loneliness, Jennifer outlines the sheer need for this memoir in exposing the vulnerability that many girls face from being gifted, talented, and on the autism spectrum. This is an incredible, necessary book that will change lives for the better.

Barb Cook, editor and author of Spectrum Women , founder and editor in chief at Spectrum Women Magazine

Told like no other, this book leaves all of us, autistic or not, better human beings for having known Jennifer OToole.

Sharon Lee Cummings, copublisher/editor at large of Zoom Autism Magazine , Autism Society of Virginia board member

I was immediately captivated by Jennifers intimate storytelling. Autism in Heels is a story of honesty and empowerment and is a must read for women with and without autism.

Michelle Dean, assistant professor of special education at California State University, Channel Islands; technical consultant for the Netflix/Sony show Atypical

Autism in Heels is a fascinating glimpse into the mind of an autistic woman. Its a must-read for anyone without autism to learn a new side of tolerance and inclusion. And for my fellow autistic women, youll hopefully find parts of her life that parallel your own, as I did, and know you are not alone.

Carly Fulgham, Autism Society of California board member, Art of Autism board member

Honest, raw, intimate. Jennifer OTooles description of the female autistic life experience will resonate with many generatons of autistic women to come.

Christa Holmans, autistic author and advocate, Neurodivergent Rebel Blog

Jennifer OToole spares nothing of her experiences and methodically dissects the internal and external realities of what its really like to be an Aspie female. I urgently recommend this book to clinicians, parents, and self-identified, self-curious humans. Reading it will increase your knowledge, your sensitivity, your worldview, and your love.

Carol Moog, PhD, clinical psychologist, and coauthor of The Autism Playbook for Teens

An essential read that I cannot wait to share. Writing with a radiating kind of aliveness and breathless honesty, OToole tackles all the tough issuestrauma, eating disorders, self-harm, depression, self-doubtalongside the grace, hope, and joy of a life lived full of meaning and self-discovery.

Shana Nichols, PhD, clinical psychologist specializing in female ASD, lead author of Girls Growing Up on the Autism Spectrum

Thanks to Jennifer OToole, we have established a sturdy, hard-won narrative tradition that has the power to change hearts and minds.

Valerie Paradiz, PhD, Autism Speaks board member; Director, National Autism Leadership Institute

Jennifer OToole systematically examines issues faced by this group and illustrates with examples from her own journey. Although Jennifer accentuates the positives, she does not sugarcoat vulnerabilities, dangers, and despair that women on the spectrum are likely to face. Her powerfully punching wit and insight are of a beauty and efficacy that only a spectrum mind could imagine.

Lars Perner, PhD, Autism Society of America executive board member

This slice of life on the spectrum illustrates just how diverse our lives can be, and how different our inner realities may be from what observers assume.

John Elder Robison, bestselling author, advisor to the US Department of Health and Human Services, World Health Organization autism advisor, Institute for Autism Research cochair

Brave, warm, and fiercely honest, Jennifer has broken the autism mold open with her riveting story. From anxiety and eating disorders to relationships and self-doubt, Autism in Heels will provide invaluable relief for girls and women around the world who have too long struggled to fit in. A jewel of a book!

Susan Stifleman, PhD, bestselling author, Huffington Post columnist, The Today Show contributor

In this chipper memoircuminspirational guide OTooles compassion and enthusiasm are infectious.

Publishers Weekly

Copyright 2018 by Jennifer Cook OToole

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.