Laura James wrote Odd Girl Out: My Extraordinary Autistic Life after receiving the diagnosis in her mid-40s. It confirmed what James already felt for much of her life: she was hardwired differently, and her struggles were not those shared by her peers.
First published in the U.K. in 2017, Odd Girl Out chronicles James's eventful life both before and after her diagnosis. Autism is often associated with boys, with diagnosis in girls far less common. James explains that girls are better at blending in with their peers and masking some of the signs that normally lead to discovery of autism spectrum disorder. By publicly sharing her story, James joins brave souls like Temple Grandin in paving the way for greater acceptance, understanding and support for women and girls on the autism spectrum.
James's mind works best with logic, data and patterns, which she is prone to let consume her. As a result of her remarkably single-minded focus, James accurately predicted both the Brexit vote and the Trump presidency. Fear of losing control drives her pre-diagnosis days, with something as simple as an incorrect coffee order leading to a meltdown. Post-diagnosis James is better equipped to explore the depths of her neurodiversity and finds unexpected comfort in being part of the broader autism community.
There's inspiration in these pages, after a difficult journey of self-acceptance. Above all, Odd Girl Out makes clear that autism doesn't have just one face or one image. After being told again and again that she didn't look or act autistic, James speaks up for others whose neurological disabilities don't fit neatly into a preordained design by emphasizing the vast spectrum and range of autism. --Shahina Piyarali, writer and reviewer