Once I asked Goldie, “What is autism?” To this day, I haven’t had a real answer from her. She’s lived with autism for nearly 18 years now, and today the word is still a mystery. Some of her friends have shared that it is their superpower. Some of them remember their diagnosis day and celebrate it like a wedding anniversary or a birthday. This only makes the mystery of autism seem more mysterious.

Before Goldi started high school, this big thick book was set in front of me.

“Have you ever read this book?” her teacher asked me.

“I’ve never seen it before. Is it good?” I said predicting that the answer would be a nod or a it’s pretty good.

“It’s a must read.” the teacher said.

I had read other must reads. But was skeptical that this workbook like book was a must. I preferred a testimony, a nice feel good story, or a book that was turned into a movie it was so good.

The book has twelve chapters and 479 pages. It is a textbook. It has workbook like features including blanks for various responses about autism, friendships, routines, communication, people, and other life topics. There are social stories, strategies, examples, and a wealth of information.

In the introduction, Goldi immediately circled among the list of other questions:

What does autism mean? She recorded a few facts about her, validating what was absolutely true about herself BESIDES having autism. The concept of identify first at the start is presented sensitively. The words a simple, descriptive, and invite the autistic person to freely choose how they would describe themselves knowing they have autism. Goldie started with “I am Goldie”.

Throughout the book, Goldie discovered more of who she was. What was especially surprising, is not that she is now able to define autism but instead she was able to understand who she was and how to better walk with courage on this journey being Goldie.

It has become a book on hand for relearning, equipping, and most of all celebrating what Goldie has known all along… “I am Goldie. ”