A fascinating and necessary read. The format was great and it is a great way to have a better understanding of the topic.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was thrilled, as a Christian and a student of psychology, to read Daniel Bowman, Jr.’s new book On the Spectrum: Autism, Faith, & the Gifts of Neurodiversity. Bowman is an English professor at Taylor University, and he has written this book to educate us about the beauty that autistic people bring to the world. In general, we aren’t given the opportunity to see very many autistic writers in popular culture, so part of Bowman’s mission in On the Spectrum is to show us the avenues possible and change our minds a little about what neurodiversity is. Along the way, he teaches the reader why language is important when speaking about autism, and he describes the autistic experience in beautiful prose. It’s actually most accurate to call On the Spectrum a collection of essays about Bowman’s life, autism in general, and what neurotypicals can do to bridge the gap from where society is right now on autism to where many advocates for neurodiverse people would like to see society in the future.
My reading of On the Spectrum helped me in two significant ways: It helped me understand autistic people better and how to be a better bridge for them, and it helped me think about what people in psychological science could do to possibly think of the autism spectrum differently. The latter is the more difficult question for me, as Bowman is critical of psychological science and its treatment of autistic people (for good reasons). I will explore both, including how he has made me reevaluate how psychological science sees autism.
First, I use the phrase “autistic people” instead of “people with autism” because Bowman is very clear that most neurodiverse people prefer identity-first language. This is because autism is part of their identity and not a disease or disability to be “suffering from”. This is a huge message of the book that provides part of its subtitle: “the gifts of neurodiversity”. Bowman encourages readers to see autism not as a disability but as an alternate wiring of the brain that has significant benefits. Does it make some things more difficult? Absolutely. But it cannot be explained away as only the negatives that people experience. What are those gifts Bowman speaks of? He writes:
Neurodiversity’s gifts do not form a discrete list. I think they are ways of being, of approaching our days; they are lenses through which the autistic person sees and feels the world uniquely — lenses that can lead to helpful contributions to culture. In my case, my autistic brain wiring leads me to see storytelling and poetry and teaching and learning and worshiping God in ways that are different from what most readers will be accustomed to. I hope you’re open to exploring those ways alongside me, wherever they lead.
The most helpful aspect of the book is Bowman’s fierce advocation for autistic people to be met halfway instead of being expected to conform to neurotypical rules. He advocates for this through sharing his story and connecting those details to principles that apply to the larger autistic community. Hearing Bowman’s story in his voice is what gives On the Spectrum its power, and that is no accident. Bowman clearly demonstrates that too often stories of autistic people are told by non-autistic people, and that is being fought against by the #OwnVoices campaign. The motto is “Nothing about us without us”, giving a concise principle by which to think about where neurotypical people are receiving their information and on whom that information is focused. Even memoirs or stories written by parents of autistic children often zoom in on the negative effects of autism on neurotypical parents, ignoring or marginalizing the experiences of those children.

In that vein, I think it is helpful to include an extended quote from Bowman describing the experience of autistic people in his own words. The “we” language he uses is powerful in its ability to help the reader see past a neurotypical perspective and begin to see the gifts that comes with neurodiversity as well as its challenges. He writes:
Every autistic person experiences autism differently, but there are some things that many of us have in common.
1. We think differently. We may have very strong interests in things other people don’t understand or seem to care about. We might be great problem-solvers, or pay close attention to detail. It might take us longer to think about things. We might have trouble with executive functioning, like figuring out how to start and finish a task, moving on to a new task, or making decisions. Routines are important for many autistic people. It can be hard for us to deal with surprises or unexpected changes. When we get overwhelmed, we might not be able to process our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, which can make us lose control of our bodies.
2. We process our senses differently. We might be extra sensitive to things like bright lights or loud sounds. We might have trouble understanding what we hear or what our senses tell us. We might not notice if we are in pain, or hungry. We might do the same movement over and over again. This is called “stimming,” and it helps us regulate our senses. For example, we might rock back and forth, play with our hands, or hum.
3. We move differently. We might have trouble with fine motor skills or coordination. It can feel like our minds and bodies are disconnected. It can be hard for us to start or stop moving. Speech can be extra hard because it requires a lot of coordination. We might not be able to control how loud our voices are, or we might not be able to speak at all — even though we can understand what other people say.
4. We communicate differently. We might talk using echolalia (repeating things we have heard before), or by scripting out what we want to say. Some autistic people use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to communicate. For example, we may communicate by typing on a computer, spelling on a letter board, or pointing to pictures on an iPad. Some people may also communicate with behavior or the way we act. Not every autistic person can talk, but we all have important things to say.
5. We socialize differently. Some of us might not understand or follow social rules that non-autistic people made up. We might be more direct than other people. Eye contact might make us uncomfortable. We might have a hard time controlling our body language or facial expressions, which can confuse non-autistic people or make it hard to socialize. Some of us might not be able to guess how people feel. This doesn’t mean we don’t care how people feel! We just need people to tell us how they feel so we don’t have to guess. Some autistic people are extra sensitive to other people’s feelings.
6. We might need help with daily living. It can take a lot of energy to live in a society built for non-autistic people. We may not have the energy to do some things in our daily lives. Or, parts of being autistic can make doing those things too hard. We may need help with things like cooking, doing our jobs, or going out. We might be able to do things on our own sometimes, but need help other times. We might need to take more breaks so we can recover our energy.
My biggest takeaway from On the Spectrum is how psychology can do things better for autistic people. Bowman is critical of psychologists for their focus on autism from a deficit model instead of seeing autism as an alternative wiring of the brain. Bowman mentions several times that there are many autistic people with higher needs than him, but he speaks clearly that one’s place on the spectrum should not determine the degree of humanity given to an autistic person. Speaking about such people in terms of disease or psychological disorder reduces them to only the issues they face and not the beauty that comes as a result of neurodiversity.
What does that mean for how I teach my AP Psychology students? It means that I need to talk about autism the way it is experienced by autistic people, not the way it is experienced by parents or psychologists. It means reducing the stigma of autism in whatever way I can. I’m still struggling through exactly what psychological science should do to help autistic people, but focusing on their needs rather than the needs of those around them is a great start. Some have higher needs and some have lower needs, but psychological science should develop strategies to help autistic people of varying levels of need. There is a lot of disagreement about how to do that but, as Bowman addresses, awareness and listening is the first step to making the world better, more accessible, to everyone.
I don’t pretend to have any answers here, and I am still at the beginning of my learning curve. If I have said anything unhelpful or ignorant in this review, please let me know. One of the main goals of my teaching career is instilling in students the ability to have empathy for people who are different from us. Reading On the Spectrum has made me realize how much I still have to learn and how thankful I am for people like Daniel Bowman to lead me along.

I received a review copy of On the Spectrum courtesy of Liveright Publishing and NetGalley, but my opinions are my own.

Professor Daniel Bowman pulls back the curtains and throws open the doors inviting readers into his life as an autistic person. In his recently published collection of essays On the Spectrum, Bowman allows you to view the world from his vantage point. Some essays provide a look into how he as an autistic person handles daily life and offers a glimpse that may help you understand better those in your own life who are autistic. Other essays emphasize that there is not "one size fits all" description and encourages readers to get to know individual people rather than stereotypes. In fact, one of Bowman's stated goals is to demonstrate that autistic people can be creative and artistic and be professors.

On the Spectrum is suggested reading for anyone who interacts with anyone who is on the Autism spectrum. If you are a teacher, minister, or anyone who works with the public, you should read this. While none of the essays are lengthy, be prepared to read slowly and thoughtfully.

Since neurodivergence is rarely discussed in the church, Daniel Bowman's memoir is a welcome breath of fresh air. While Bowman focuses on autism, much of what he writes about can be extended to other areas like depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Finding the intersections between mental health and faith is a necessary task for Christians; it is my hope that this book will be a helpful tool for clergy and laypeople alike. Highly recommended.

Daniel Bowman has done a great job of sharing insights into what his experience of autism is like. He is clear that he doesn't speak for all autistic people while still helping others understand better what it might be like for some autistic people. He debunks myths and highlights neurodiversity as a gift instead of a deficiency. Learning to recognize the beautiful diversity in how each person is made in the image of God is one of the most important things we can do to better love our neighbors as ourselves. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about autism from an autistic person.

“When you read an autistic memoir, you’re not just getting an account of one life or gaining specialized knowledge about a tiny subsection of the population. You’re learning about what it means to be human. You’re learning about 1 in 45 people.”  

When I first saw this book, it caught my attention. I realized all I really knew about autism was mostly from movies/shows like Rain Man, Parenthood, or Big Bang Theory. But as Bowman points out in his awesome book, On the Spectrum, much of what is produced about/including autism is not created by or for autistics and tends to center around the neurotypicals’ experience and suffering.

To get a more complete and authentic look at what it can be like on the spectrum of autism, listen to autistic voices. He clued me in to the hashtag #OwnVoices which is applied to works authored or created by someone in “the same minority or disability category” as the subject matter.

This book is that. This is a collection of essays— a memoir—written by Daniel Bowman Jr.:

“What’s reflected in this book are signposts from an autistic poet who is a Christ follower, a progressive Episcopalian living in the Midwest, a husband and dad and teacher at a small liberal arts college.”  

I found this book to be beautiful and vulnerable and really helpful in understanding autistics better.

“You’re learning how to love your neighbor as yourself. That’s really the core of this book.”  

From an open explanation of his own diagnosis journey that brought clarity to his childhood to essays about misconceptions of autistics and things people do or say that are hurtful, to ways the church can better come alongside autistics, this book covers a lot of important things.

And, of course, Bowman is just one person on the spectrum and reminds us many times that he can only speak his own experience. To read this book is just the beginning. We must continue to hear more stories— allowing people their own dignity— and not make one person’s story definitive for the whole spectrum.


What is Neurodiversity?

Bowman advocates for a neurodiversity paradigm as opposed to the pathology paradigm.

The pathology paradigm is centered on the premise that autism is something in an individual that needs to be fixed or corrected and often utilizes the practice of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy that is harmful for autistics.

“ABA doesn’t change an autistic into a neurotypical—it just teaches them to act neurotypical so they won’t be punished.” 

The neurodiversity paradigm, on the other hand, promotes the idea that people can function out of different operating systems. Autism is not an illness, it is a different process of functioning. He likens it to Windows vs OS.

Autistics don’t need to be fixed, they need to be understood and accepted. We all have challenges we may need tools to help us manage, but that is true across the board.

I have read some reviews concerned that he is applying critical theory here. I assume they are referring to the discussion around ableism. There is a form of critical theory that rejects a standard society has deemed ‘normal’ and denies the idea that disabilities could be negative. Not just that a person should have worth no matter what situation they’re in— I think we all agree with that— but they denounce any medical professional trying to fix any disability. To correct a disability is to conform all people to society’s “superior” able-bodied people and is wrong. They also would say that any disabled person who desires medical treatment to fix their disability when it is possible has internalized their oppression. (Read more about this in Cynical Theories)

Though there is inclusion of autism in that discussion, I agree with Bowman that autism is not something to be fixed but to be understood. I do not believe to state this is to apply critical theory. I think it is applying wisdom and compassion. This is the same with Down Syndrome as well. The critical theory discussion does not belong here.

To sum it up:

“Neurodiversity brings with it a sense of hope that all individuals, regardless of how they read, think, feel, socialize, or attend, will be recognized for their gifts, and accorded the same rights and privileges as any other human being.”


The Highlights:

“What autistics need so deeply, just to function from moment to moment, seems often to run counter to what people need from us. Maybe we need structure and predictability at the very time the people in our lives need whim, impulse. Maybe we need to be alone when they long for companionship. Maybe our senses are overloaded when theirs are underwhelmed. It can seem like we’re acting unkindly, or worse; though almost always we’re just trying to survive in a world that was not made for the likes of us.”

One of the first takeaways for me was when Bowman explained that to use the phrase ‘person with autism’ is harmful to autistics. They prefer to be called autistics. To say ‘person with autism’ implies that they “have something” or are “dealing with something” which, per the section above, we already determined assumes there is something intrinsically wrong with them.

I was surprised by this. I always thought it was better to say ‘person with autism’ because to say “Daniel is autistic” feels like I am unfairly reducing Daniel to one aspect of his identity. Though my intentions were in line, I now know the correct terminology to use.

As the quote above states, the world is generally made for neurotypical people. It was really interesting to see Bowman’s perspective on certain social expectations. How nearly every interaction with others requires a lot of effort to ‘read between the lines’ of what people mean, what people are expected to do, say, or act. The sensory overload alone is one neurotypicals can never understand!

I’m not sure how we change the world in so many ways, but it definitely provides plenty of space to think about how we can help autistic people engage in a more comfortable environment.

When he talked about the challenges he faces in serving in his church, some of the points he made resonated with me, even as a neurotypical. For example, if he volunteers to serve at a pancake breakfast, he wants to know exactly what his job will be, what time frame, what is appropriate to wear, will he be expected to help clean up, is he expected to communicate with people and if so, about what, will anything else be happening at the same time, etc. He also brought up popcorn prayer— I find this uncomfortable too!

I was like- Right on! We do need to respect people’s time and willingness to serve by putting forth expectations and boundaries that allow people to understand their role, their goal, and know when they complete their commitment. I also understand the need for flexibility or spontaneity in certain situations, but I don’t think his points are a hard ask for a church to consider in accommodating autistics and frankly, a lot of other people, who need a comfortable environment.

I thought this was a beautiful statement he made:

“I have to count the cost, and because I do, I know what it’s doing to me, how it’s changing me, inviting me to transformation, to renaissance, to being born again over and over through each sacrament of service, each month, each year.” 

Though he says no to a lot of things, when he does say yes, they impact him. And isn’t that what serving is about? It’s not about checking the boxes or having the longest resumé. It’s about doing meaningful work that changes people. We give of ourselves for others. It is the heart that counts.

And as Christians, we should count the cost (Luke 14). The Christian life is one of sacrifice, exemplified by Jesus. Bowman may have to count the cost more often and more tangibly, but I think it draws him nearer to Jesus who understands and it reminds Bowman (and us) how much we really need the Lord.

Another important thing that stuck out to me was when he compared the list of characteristics you would find if you googled autism with a different list written by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. He pointed out how the former was listed as ‘symptoms’ and worded in a negative way using terms like ‘difficulties,’ ‘troubles,’ ‘tendencies',’ and ‘outbursts.’

“How do you think it is to be autistic and be described in those ways? To have your everyday traits and habits, which you’ve been made to feel ashamed of in brutally harmful ways since childhood, described to every Google user around the world as “abnormal,” “inappropriate,” “lack[ing],” “disturb[ed],” “withdraw[n],” “self-abusive,” “poor,” and “odd”?”

The latter (list by the ASAN) he quoted in length in his book which was very good. You can tell that the phrasings do make a difference. You can read it linked here.

He also included a parody someone wrote describing neurotypicals’ habits as weaknesses that begins, “Neurotypical syndrome is a neurobiological disorder characterized by preoccupation with social concerns, delusions of superiority, and obsession with conformity…” It was humorous and affirmed Bowman’s point that autistics and allistics have differences but that doesn’t make them weaknesses. The way we talk about things matters.

Another comment he made was this:

“In response to a question like, “Should we play a board game now?” an allistic person might say, “Um, yeah, I mean, like, we totally could do that, I guess.” And you’re supposed to understand that, pretty much, no, that person is not enthused about the prospects of a board game. But I may be too stressed, or more likely my senses may be too overloaded, to pick up on the meaning of the nonverbal signals and evasive answer. I generally wish to hear just a friendly yes or no so it’s clear where people stand.” 

I think all of society would benefit if people spoke with more clarity and less undertones. Just say what you want to say (obviously respectfully)! Evasiveness is annoying. I probably do it too. But how bout we don’t!?


The Gifts of Neurodiversity

“Neurodiversity’s gifts do not form a discrete list. I think they are ways of being, of approaching our days; they are lenses through which the autistic person sees and feels the world uniquely.”

Autistics are stereotypically seen as geared toward math and science (think Rain Man). It’s not that that’s untrue, but it’s incomplete. Daniel Bowman Jr. is more of a creative.

“One of the reasons I started to write essays about autism is because I discovered that almost no one was writing from the perspective of an artist on the spectrum.”

The sheer volume of literary references in this book and his poetic voice speak to this. He wanted more to be written and shown by creative autistics.

He quotes a professor, Michael Fitzgerald, who “argued that certain features of [autism], such as persistence, singlemindedness, intelligence, and nonconformity, can enhance not just the analytical process, but the creative process as well.”

Bowman proves throughout his book that autistics see the world and people differently but we can learn so much from different perspectives and that really is a gift. Our God is a God of diversity and we worship Him when we recognize and dignify the differences he has created and grow with each other.


A Few Caveats

One thing Bowman commented on many times was the disrespect he felt when people took his lack of eye contact as disinterest or that he wasn’t listening and they would stop looking at him and including him in the conversation.

Autistics don’t feel comfortable making constant eye contact. I get that. And if I know someone is autistic I can put into practice to not ignore them when this happens, and autistics should expect that from me.

But if I don’t know someone is autistic, as a neurotypical, I do see lack of eye contact as someone who isn’t listening anymore. This has happened with friends numerous times and it does hurt my feelings if I’m telling a story and they stop looking at me. I usually just stop talking. No one wants to be ignored.

This will probably be an ongoing interacting challenge between autistics and allistics.

He talked about how bad storytelling is bad theology. He never named names for what Christian material he was referring to but he had some criticism— he says,

“I want to focus on the fact that bad Christian stories are prescriptive. Though they may contain characters and a plot, they exist not to discover or examine truth but to deliver a message. In that way they’re similar to propaganda used by oppressive regimes in times of war and genocide in attempts to control and manipulate people.” 

I am really curious what books/movies he is talking about. I agree that there is some cringeworthy stuff out there, but to relate it to propaganda is a strong comparison that I would like to explore with more context. I wish he would have given titles, though I can see why he wouldn’t.

This wasn’t the purpose of the book and to me it doesn’t change my opinion of it, but he alluded to gender and sexuality in some essays that makes me think we may hold different beliefs about the Bible and gender/sexuality. I do not believe the Bible teaches that gender and sexuality is on a spectrum.


Final Thoughts

I am so glad I read this book. Sure, many of the literary references and quotes didn’t speak to me as much as they might to a lit-lover or a poet, but I gained a lot of insight and new ways of considering and caring for my neighbors.

I’m also excited to explore the #OwnVoices hashtag to see what else is out there!

I really appreciate his vulnerability in sharing the shame he carried and the feelings of guilt and failure he felt because he couldn’t participate in church the way others were. He wrestled with the Scripture about “bearing fruit” and worried that his saying no to so many things because of his mental health made him less of a Christian.

I struggled with those verses myself and lamented them here.

But I love how he points us back to grace:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Not by works. This is truly good news—gospel—for those of us on the spectrum, whose works can often be uneven. Others may be tempted to rest on their achievements, but we autistics are as likely to screw everything up as to produce a great outcome. Or sometimes we do both at the same time. No matter—our grace through faith is a gift, not from ourselves or the result of our works. This opens the door to do things according to the way our brains were made, according to, as the next verse says, “God’s handiwork.” We too can make culture.”  

God asks us to be faithful and to trust him. It is not up to us to do all the work.

I would highly recommend this book to all people. For autistics, to feel heard and known and seen in ways society sadly doesn’t project, and for allistics to better understand and accept the complexities and differences in neurodivergent operating systems.

This truly is a book to help us love our neighbors.

Some last thoughts from Bowman:

“Learn about the spectrum, about sensory processing, adherence to routines, social interactions, special interests, stimming, meltdowns, and the rest. Then respect the complexities of individuals as you come alongside them.” 

“Gentleness, kindness, sensitivity to the fact that the experience of another person may render their way of being in the world completely different from your own…”

“Grace is not merely transactional, but relational.” 

**Received an ARC via NetGalley**

On the Spectrum is the bringing together of various blogposts Bowman wrote as he navigated his autism diagnosis and reflected on how his autism affects his life today and how it affected his childhood-- albeit he wasn't diagnosed until he was 35.

I did appreciate Bowman's point of view-- and emphasis-- on the fact that he is not the "typical" autistic of the tech, math, and/or science realm, but an autistic of the arts, specifically creative writing and teaching. I was disappointed, though, in how little the faith aspect is brought up. There was one sliver of a chapter that covered how autistic people need to be accommodated as volunteers in the church, but I was expecting the whole book to be about that. I was hoping to be able to give this book to my pastor as a way to say, "I want to volunteer, but I have limits and parameters; please take them-- and me-- seriously."

As a minister in a denomination that prides ourselves on being welcoming, I am deeply aware that too often, our inclusiveness falls way short of creating a place of mutual belonging together. Daniel Bowman's book is a must-read for neuro-typical congregation leaders and others who want to be part of building a freer, more just world in which all can be their most wholehearted selves.

As someone who is myself 'on the spectrum' I can say this book will be beneficial both to those on the spectrum and to those who know someone who is. Definitely worth a read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Baker Academic and Brazos Press for ARC.

Daniel Bowman Jr.’s 𝘖𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘮 was beautiful to read as a neurotypical person.

Bowman takes the time to articulate his struggle with determining why he thought and socialized in the ways he did. He mentions that having autistic traits defined to him helped provide a missing piece of his identity. It helped give him language to why his brain worked the way it did rather than brushing himself off as sensitive. He shares that a better understanding of his reality helps him relate to the world around him. While this is especially fitting for autistics, I think that’s a word we all need.

Bowman articulates the beauty of autism. While many would assume it is a pathological anomaly, his argument is that it is simply a different way of being; it comes with its own gifts and challenges. Being neurodivergent in a world created for neurotypicals can be debilitating, but Bowman shares beautifully that there is an art in being gracious and gentle to yourself, and autistics have to practice the art daily.

His words should be given some consideration and weight for those that truly want to care for their neighbors well—neurotypical and neurodivergent neighbors aliker.

In a world where most everyone knows someone diagnosed with Autism, I found this book interesting and intriguing. I wanted to know more about Autism and being on the spectrum, so once I came across this book on NetGalley I knew I had to request it. I recommend this book.

I'm very grateful to Daniel Bowman Jr. for writing this book, for offering his reader these glimpses into what his life is like as an autistic man. For painting a picture of how his autism impacts his roles as father, husband, professor, friend, and Christian. The honesty and vulnerability that he demonstrates are extremely generous. There's so much here to learn, especially for those who don't have friends or family members that are autistic. I can't think of a priest or pastor who wouldn't benefit from careful consideration of "Community, Worship, and Service", the section on autism and church and faith. I'd love to see Bowman Jr. expand "The Insidious Nature of Bad Christian Stories", my favourite essay, into a full-length book. I very much appreciated his insights and hope he revisits the topic in the future. I'll be recommending this book enthusiastically.

I'm an adult-diagnosed autistic Catholic, and Bowman's profound, beautiful, and necessary book soothed a very rumbly place inside my soul.

This collection of essays ranges in length and focus, but they all bear Bowman's signature frank, earnest style. I appreciated his commitment to honesty and vulnerability from the opening pages, which outline one of his darkest experiences, one that nearly cost him his marriage, his family, and his very life. Depression, anxiety, and trauma are common among autistics -- whether diagnosed in adulthood or childhood -- due to years of skewed interactions in a neurotypical world; Bowman gains our trust as a narrator by confronting these painful truths up front.

In the words that follow, he moves skillfully from grief to joy, isolation to community, building a vision of possibility and hope. I especially enjoyed his discussion of his autistic experience of place, and how he approaches environments through physical presence, research, and literature. His piece on the dangers of bad literature (and how the dishonesty of bad storytelling is an affront to the autistic core sensibility of honesty) was also invigorating and wise, an indication of the depth of his gifts as a teacher.

His discussion of the intersection of his autism and his Christian practice resonated strongly for me, particularly his self-recrimination about not always being able to engage in Christian service in standard and expected neurotypical ways. He notes, “Because I have to engage life at such a profound level in order to enter into any Christian service, the good news is that it generally has a transformative effect on me… if I can say yes.” That “if” can be a hard and lonely place to reside, and his discussion of the ways he is honoring both his God-given gifts within the context of his God-given natural limitations is a strong opening gambit toward a larger conversation within individual church communities about building paths for active discipleship and ministry for people with all kinds of disabilities.

If there is anything this book lacks, it is an acknowledgement that, for all his challenges, Bowman’s support needs are lower than many other autistic people’s. His vision of community-supported life would be much more challenging, if not impossible, for someone with intellectual and physical disability or communication differences related to their autism. There is a great (and paradoxically inaccessible) need for #OwnVoices stories about autistics with higher support needs, who are often consigned to bleak state-supported living, over-medicalized or even torturous programs, and subhuman theories of mind… even within the walls of Christian churches.

Bowman is lucky to have supportive family, friends, and colleagues, and he acknowledges this. But that nexus of support was built through painstaking conversation, hard work, honest feedback, and many mistakes along the way. This is how Christian communities are built, how we manifest the Kingdom of God on Earth. I’m grateful for Bowman’s entry into the public work of carving an openly autistic space in those endeavors.

Daniel Bowman Jr.’s
On the Spectrum
Being intently interested in all things relating to the medical/neurological field, I was very pleased to be offered a copy of this book by NetGalley. Daniel Bowman, Jr. a professor of English at Taylor University, was diagnosed in his 30s to be on the autism spectrum. He takes us through personal experiences in his working and family life, as well as showing us the importance of religious faith in his life.
I was looking for answers and was not disappointed. By being given a window to the life of David Bowman we are made to appreciate that neurotypicals are simply another subgroup of people, just as are autistics: contributing, struggling, growing, integrating and learning at various speeds and intensities. The autistic experience is as varied as are the neurotypicals’.
I particularly loved his playful description of neurotypicals using language often used to describe autistics with deprecating statements such as the following. NTs find it “difficult to be alone”, are “intolerant of minor differences in others, socially and behaviorally rigid”, they “frequently insist upon the performance of dysfunctional, destructive, and even impossible rituals as a way of maintaining group identity.” NTs find it difficult to communicate directly…” and also “There is no known cure for Neurotypical Syndrome.”
Well played.
An excellent writer, Bowman is able to describe the intricacies of thoughts that he felt as he tried to navigate in the Neurotypical world. His paralyzing anxieties were well described allowing the reader to better understand how we can all as a society alleviate much of this suffering by being more accepting and understanding to the diversity of all human experience.

“Autism isn’t an illness. It is a different way of being human” Bowman attempts to change the pathology paradigm adopted by clinicians, parents, and educators alike and hopes to expands ones thinking to accept the neurodiversity paradigm which would include rejecting destructive language that “reinforces the assumption that Autism is intrinsically a problem.”
His message is well taken. And I believe now that if we can all embrace a world whereby paths to growing and conducting each life can be vastly different from our own experience, yet equally acceptable, we will all be better for it. It is necessary to address each individual with an open mind and intent to accept differences.
This book is an intellectual read and is to be appreciated by giving time and thought to the various essays. Thank you again to NetGalley for the opportunity to critique this book.

Daniel Bowman Jr. does a beautiful job in this book at weaving his experience with Autism and his faith. I highly recommend all Christians read this book, especially those who are neurodivergent, in the disability community, or strong advocates for the community.

Bowman's journey towards a diagnosis is one that many people know. It isn't easy to find someone who will take the time to diagnose, expensive to get it done, and not an easy process. Self-diagnosis is valid and super common in those who are neurodivergent. I wish there were more support and understanding in this experience.

As someone who is neurodivergent and has experienced difficulty with diagnoses, I related to much of this book.

As an #OwnVoices author, Daniel Bowman Jr. gives a vulnerable, open, and intimate perspective on his experiences as an autistic adult. In the first few chapters, Bowman generously lays out the difference between a pathological view of autism and an embrace of neurodiversity: "A neurodiversity paradigm asserts the basic fact that autism doesn't need to be fixed; it simply needs to be understood and accepted." He gives examples that clearly explain the problematic nature of treating autism as a disease.

But in addition to these basic ideas about autism and how we should view it, Bowman also writes beautiful essays about his personal experiences navigating a world built for neurotypical people. In particular, I really enjoyed his essay about riding his motorcycle and how it helps him to regulate his sensory needs.

As the parent of an autistic child, I am always seeking to learn and listen to first-person accounts of how I can best support and celebrate my son's neurodiversity. And like Bowman says, "there is no autistic point of view. There are as many autistic points of view as there are autistic persons." But his point of view is incredibly valuable and I am glad to have listened.

With thanks to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a series of short #ownvoices pieces about autism, faith and life. Like Bowman, I am autistic. We are both creative types. We were both diagnosed as adults. Nonetheless, I’ve read a lot of nonsense about autism in my time, so Bowman was going to have to work to win me over.

He did.

I must admit, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this book when I first picked it up. I had some difficulty connecting with the rather roundabout and metaphorical approach to language. Bowman will suddenly meander off into talking about cornfields, or his favourite shirt, or a tree – but he’s a poet, so he gets a pass on that one. It does always come back to a point about autism. I think this might make it a love-or-hate book for many. If you think that’s the kind of thing that might put you off, it probably will.

It’s a relatively short book but it’s by no means an easy read. It’s challenging for two reasons. First, Bowman will force you to think, pulling in novels, poems, Christian scripture, and philosophy in order to make his point. Secondly, if you’re not autistic, you’re probably going to have to re-evaluate what you’ve always thought about autism in a way that might be uncomfortable. Nothing said here is revolutionary. Most of it has been shouted from the rooftops by other autistic people, including myself. Another autistic voice is always welcome on this roof, though.

There are a few little slip-ups (yes, the average life expectancy for autistic people is thirty-six years, but that’s largely because of common comorbid conditions like severe epilepsy, which can be fatal in themselves.) But there’s so much that is relatable. I cringed along with him when he talked about people touching him unexpectedly, the backhanded compliments, the “but why aren’t you, a real person, more like [fictional character written by a neurotypical person]?” I didn’t connect so well with the section about faith and autism, but it’s right there in the title so it’s not like it was unexpected. I’m sure those essays will be of value to many; they just didn’t do much for me.

The most interesting part was the interview section in the final quarter of the book. In this section, Bowman doesn’t just talk about how autistic people think, but directly reveals it. Over and over, he answers the exact question he is asked, which is not necessarily the question the interviewer thought they were asking. When the interviewer clearly expects a broad answer (a more neurotypical way of thinking) Bowman begins by narrowing down to a fine point and being clear about what he is and isn’t speaking about: there is no one answer. This is how what you’ve said relates to me, and me only.

That aspect really spoke to me. On the one hand, answering the exact question you’re asked gets you good grades on essays. On the other, you get called impolite constantly for some reason.

This book is a precise and specific exploration of exactly one autistic person’s life, and is clear that it doesn’t claim to be anything else, even if some of the experiences within have far broader connotations. If you want to understand more about autism than you did before, read the thoughts of this Bowman chap. He’s smart and eloquent. And then keep reading.

I got this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Everyone in all levels of the church will benefit from reading Bowman's book. There is so much value for all members of the Body that are apart of our churches. Bowman gives us a series of essays that will open up our hearts to our autistic brothers and sisters in the church. Even if you think you are open and affirming to all humans, you will be challenged and convicted in making a more neurodiverse community.

Growing up, I never heard about autism. I was out of college before I even met someone that had been diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. However, I want to know as much as I can about how to help them, especially when it comes to serving in church. That made this book one that I really wanted to read.

Through the compiled essays, you can get an idea of how people on the autism spectrum experience everyday things. Thankfully, more people are working to undo stereotypes, but there are still those that think neurodivergent people just need to try harder. I realize I still have more to learn, but reading this book gives me a foundation to work with.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The first half of On the Spectrum acts to normalize much of the language, such as “spectrum” and “neurotypical,” while providing a picture of a human being’s life dealing with Autism. Each chapter varies between seemingly broad focus stories and direct spectrum experiences in the Christian life. Some chapters are brief, and though my version was digital, I doubt they would take up three pages.

This book feels disjointed or scattered to a reader (meaning myself) who typically bounces between biography, history, and theology. There is nothing wrong with this, but one should know this before picking the book and expecting any typical trajectory. Bowman himself alludes to this early on stating, “it may feel a little different at times from more linear memoirs.”

Because most of what I review is theologically oriented, I think a simple note is required: the author and I would disagree on several such topics. Nevertheless, it is not necessary for the majority of this book. Daniel Bowman invites the reader to learn about his life, the various ways in which it is typical of anyone, and how it is drastically different because of possessing a “neurodivergent” brain. Towards the end of the book, three chapters contain interviews the author gave to various people: a high school student, a mother to an autistic child and writer, and a pastor. These interviews offer a more specific glimpse of a person living day-to-day with autism.

Reading through the book causes me to appreciate being married to a counselor. Autism spectrum disorder is frequently a topic of conversation. Because she regularly works with kids and sees patterns, she is able to educate parents and provide referrals to those able to diagnose. All that to say: autism has become normalized for me. Yet, it is because my wife has to provide basic ASD education to parents of children that I realize it is not generally well known. It is not easy to write a book chronicling your personal challenges, and for that, I appreciate On The Spectrum.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley for review purposes. Comments are my own.