The first book exploring the experience of being autistic and going through menopause.This groundbreaking book explores the intersection of autism and the menopause, drawing on the authors research and the lived experience of sixteen people. Providing an understanding of the changes and symptoms caused by the menopause, and their unique effects on autistic people, this book offers the clarity this community has been missing.
Having menopausal symptoms as an autistic person can feel isolating and confusing. You might be wondering why you are feeling so lost or why your experience doesnt seem anything like other peoples.
Here to provide you with clarity are Dr. Rachel Moseley, who is autistic herself, and Professor Julie Gamble-Turner, who has personal experience of the menopause. They combine their years of experience researching autism, health and wellbeing to bring you this indispensable book. Drawing on the powerful voices of sixteen autistic experts, chapters cover everything from understanding why being autistic will affect your experience of the menopause to advice about finding the strategies that work for you and seeking help. You will learn how the menopause can cause changes to your emotions, attention and memory as well as affect things like sensory issues, masking and communication, giving you tools to manage changes effectively and, most importantly, provide reassurance that youre not alone.
Whether youre an autistic person currently going through the menopause, are not yet menopausal, or have come out the other side, this book provides the knowledge and support you have been missing.
Dr Rachel Moseley has conducted research in autism since 2010, most notably focusing on issues around wellbeing and mental health. In 2020 and 2021, the two authors collaborated on the seminal work in the field of autism and menopause, publishing the first two academic papers in this field. Dr Moseley is a late-diagnosed autistic person herself, and is well connected to the autism community online and organisations within the UK. She has considerable consultancy experience with policy-makers and professionals in the health, social care, employment and education sectors, with regards the wellbeing of autistic people.
Professor Julie Turner-Cobb is a registered Health Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS). She has over thirty years experience of conducting research on the effects of stress on health and well-being in children and adults at different stages across the lifespan. She has published extensively in the field of psychoendocrinology that examines the effect of psychological factors on hormones. Her work has focused on coping and resilience during stressful life experiences, the importance of social support, and effects on parents, relatives and caregivers. Most recently she has researched midlife stress and focused on the experience of menopause particularly in autistic people.
A much-needed and supportive book for autistic people, their colleagues and families, with revelatory explanations of the neurological changes around menopause - and how understanding them can be positive too. -Kate Muir, Author of How to Have a Magnificent Midlife Crisis
Groundbreaking and essential, Autistic Menopause bridges research, lived experience, and practical advice. A must-have for autistic people, their allies, and health professionals. -Dr Michelle Garnett - Clinical Psychologist - PhD (Psych), Founder and Director of Attwood & Garnett Events, AuDHD
This is THE book that autistic woman have been waiting for. Probably the most important autism book this year that will changes the lives of menopausal autistic women. -Sarah Hendrickx, author of Women and Girls on the Autistic Spectrum, 2nd edition.
A vital, compassionate guide through the messy (and often maddening!) reality of autistic peri/menopause. Validating, empowering, and long overdue - this book breaks the silence around the life-changing hormonal plot twist no one warned us about. -Steph Jones – author of The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy, Neurodevelopmental Consultant & Diagnostician
Forget everything youve heard about menopause. This isnt about hot flushes and accepting decline, its about your brain rewiring itself, and why thats harder when youre autistic. Honest, hopeful, and practical. The book that turns what if this breaks me? into okay, I can prepare for this. -Pooky Knightsmith, autistic author and speaker (not yet perimenopausal, but preparing)
This is a powerful read! I recognised my own experience on every page and appreciate the gender inclusive language. This is a very necessary and useful book. -Tania Glyde, counsellor/psychotherapist and founder of the Queer Menopause Project.
