Strong Female Character

Strong Female Character is about Fern Brady’s (She/Her) life growing up, including her struggles in her school years, and early careers. However, this is no typical comedian's autobiography, as Fern Brady has had a recent diagnosis of Autism and uses this new-found Autistic lens to reflect on her childhood and early career. What comes from this is a very open and honest discussion of her struggles and inner thoughts of living in an allistic world as an Autistic woman.

I picked up this book when an Autistic client of mine recommended it to me. The reason this book stuck out to them is that Fern Brady talks about her overwhelm, and resulting meltdowns in a very honest and real way that you do not often get to hear about, especially in adults with Autism. I love book recordations like this from clients, any recommendation that reflects a client's experience and understanding is worth a read, especially if it helps expand my world view at the same time.

So what are my thoughts on Strong Female Character? Well, I could not put it down, I read it in a day, and then immediately suggested it to a few people I know. This book is so very well written that it grabs a hold of you and pulls you into Fern Brady’s world, which is a world of struggle, pain, and laughter at the absurdity of all of it. The book takes you through Fern Brady’s schooling experience, from the early years right through university and a little beyond. On this journey, you hear about her struggles, and her present-day thoughts reflecting with a now known Autistic lens. I felt a real connection with the author whilst reading this book, not from a place of pity for them, but from a connection through frustration about what could have been and what still is. Fern Brady does a great job at highlighting the failings of people who were supposed to support her whilst not necessarily blaming them. A combination of communication struggles on the author's behalf, and a lack of education for those around them. This is a feeling I know is shared by myself, and many of my clients, when looking back at our own struggles, a feeling of what could have been different if only we had the understanding we do now.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I feel I have to address some of the negative views that have been making their rounds online surrounding what is “normal” for Autistic people. This is a book about Fern Brady’s life, and her experience growing up undiagnosed with Autism, while many Autistic people will be able to connect and understand the experiences shared in the book, like any piece of media like this, it is not a template for all Autistic experience, and should not be view like one.

My final thoughts are that this is a wonderful means of seeing the world through a lens that might not be your own, or to feel that you are not alone in your experiences. Whatever your experience, I feel that this book is worth a read, and a space on your bookshelf.