Maxfield Sparrow

Spectrums is an anthology of personal writings from people who are both trans and autistic. The contributers cover a wide range of gender identities, races, locations and life experiences. These pieces of writing are human stories at the intersection of two identities, and they are wonderful to read. Some of the pieces are short, others are longer, and many of them do cover heavy topics such as suicide.

At the beginning of the book there is a short discussion on the benefits of research about trans and autistic people. The numbers show that trans people are more likely to be autistic and vice versa, and I found it interesting to read about why the data is a bit confusing. One example is that different researchers count different groups of people as transgender. This book takes a wide view of the word trans, not limiting itself to strict definitions of medical transition and binary genders, which is really great to see. Some of the pieces talk about the unique ways a lot of autistic people interact with and understand gender, so if you've ever been curious about words like neurogender, this book has some insight. It is made clear in the introduction that any research into these intersecting ideas must prioritise the voices of trans autistic people. Research should be of benefit to the people it is about, and a lot of research in the past related to these two groups has been detrimental.

All of these pieces are in the contributors' own word, and the pieces take several different forms. Some are accounts of their life and journey, some are poems, and some integrate special interests. One of them, 'An Exploration of the Intersection of Autistic and Transgender Coding in Star Trek' even has a more academic feel to it. This brings variation to the anthology. There is something new to discover in each chapter.

There are lots of differences between the life experiences of the contributors. Different schooling, from home school to mainstream school to SEN school. Different journeys to transition, whether socially or medically. Different journeys to an autism diagnosis, sometimes self, sometimes medical, sometimes as a child, sometimes as an adult. But weaving the different pieces together are many similarities. The positives of being autistic, and celebrating being neurodivergent. Interacting with the world in unique ways, both to do with autism and gender identity. Taking ownership over your own body, claiming autonomy, which is something often denied to both trans and autistic people. The pain of living in a world not built for your neurotype or your transness. The joy of finding your people and understanding yourself. Comparing the experiences of masking as an autistic and passing when trans comes up multiple times, along side discussions of the exhaustion and stress of having to change the way you are for society's benefit.

Of all of the pieces, two stuck out to me in particular. The slam poem 'Ableism in Poetry' was really powerful. 'The Rightness of Being Wrong' described a trans narrative that of not being born in the wrong body, but of becoming wrong for the body you were born in, which really struck me as describing my own experience with gender.

This book contains advice, explanations, encouragement, explorations, expression and validation. It holds hope for the future of autistic trans people. Hope of growing up and finding happiness and our place in the world. I see myself reflected in these stories. Maybe you'll see yourself too. Or maybe it'll give you a window of insight into people who are doubly misunderstood.… (altro)