"Untypical: How the World Isn’t Built for Autistic People and What We Should All Do About It"
by Pete Wharmby
Recommended by: Ian Baynham
When I came across Untypical, I was looking for more than another book filled with clinical definitions or checklists of traits. I wanted something that captured what life actually feels like for autistic people, and how much energy it takes to navigate a world that is rarely designed with us in mind. Pete Wharmby’s book gave me that, and more.
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From the first chapter, I felt as though I was reading words I could have written myself. His descriptions of masking, of sensory overload, and of trying to decode unwritten social rules brought me back to countless moments in my own life where I felt the same strain. As an autistic adult working in technology, I know first-hand how environments that seem effortless for others can leave me exhausted. Seeing those experiences reflected on the page was both validating and emotional.
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What makes Untypical stand out is the balance it strikes between lived experience, wider research, and practical suggestions. Wharmby is clear about the weight of being autistic in a world built for neurotypicals, but he also shows that change is possible. He doesn’t just explain the barriers, he highlights the small, tangible things that could make a real difference if people were willing to try. For example, clearer communication, quieter environments, and respect for autistic interests are not difficult adjustments, yet they can completely change how included someone feels.​
There were points where the book felt heavy. Reading chapter after chapter about the daily challenges can be exhausting, because it mirrors the reality we carry every day. Yet Wharmby’s tone is warm, honest, and at times even humorous, which kept me turning the pages. I finished the book not weighed down, but with a sense of solidarity and hope.
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My Top 3 Takeaways from Untypical
1. The world is designed for neurotypicals
So much of what autistic people struggle with is not autism itself but the way schools, workplaces, and public life are structured. That insight shifts the blame away from the individual and makes it clear that inclusion is about systems, not just personal effort.
2. Masking comes at a high cost
I have often relied on masking to get by in professional and social settings, but reading Wharmby’s reflections reminded me how draining it can be. Masking may help us survive, but it also chips away at our energy and sense of self.
3. Small changes can make a big difference
Inclusion does not always require sweeping reforms. It can start with something as simple as better lighting, a quiet space, or straightforward communication. These changes not only help autistic people but make environments better for everyone.
For me, Untypical was a reminder that the challenges I face are not personal failings but symptoms of a world that was not built with people like me in mind. It also offered a vision of what could be achieved if we stop expecting autistic people to do all the adapting and start sharing the responsibility of creating inclusive spaces.