Drama Queen: One Autistic Woman and a Life of Unhelpful Labels

Sara Gibbs' book "Drama Queen" is a memoir about her life with autism, which she sees as neither an affliction nor a superpower but as the blueprint for who she is. She had been labeled a lot of things during her first thirty years of life, but no one understood her behavior, meltdowns, or intense emotions. At the age of thirty, she was given one more label: autistic. Gibbs' book is a declaration that a diagnosis on the spectrum doesn't have to be a barrier to life full of love, laughter, and success with the right support, accommodations, and understanding. It is the story of one woman trying to fit into a world that has often tried to reject her and the joy of ripping off labels one by one.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 06 January 2022
Publisher: Headline Publishing Group

During the first thirty years of her life, comedy script writer Sara Gibbs had been labeled a lot of things - a cry baby, a scaredy cat, a spoiled brat, a weirdo, a show-off - but more than anything else, she'd been called a Drama Queen. No one understood her behavior, her meltdowns, or her intense emotions. She felt like everyone else knew a social secret that she hadn't been let in on; as if life was a party she hadn't been invited to. Why was everything so damn hard? Little did Sara know that, at the age of thirty, she would be given one more label that would change her life's trajectory forever. That one day, sitting next to her husband in a clinical psychologist's office, she would learn that she had never been a drama queen, or a weirdo, or a cry baby, but she had always been autistic.

Drama Queen is both a tour inside one autistic brain and a declaration that a diagnosis on the spectrum, with the right support, accommodations, and understanding, doesn't have to be a barrier to life full of love, laughter, and success. It is the story of one woman trying to fit into a world that has often tried to reject her, and, most importantly, it's about a life of labels, and the joy of ripping them off one by one.

Sara Gibbs had always felt like she was living in a foreign land, unable to understand the social cues and norms that seemed to come naturally to everyone else. She struggled to make friends, to communicate effectively, and to navigate the complexities of everyday life. As she grew older, her frustration with her inability to fit in only grew stronger, and she began to feel like she was trapped in a never-ending cycle of loneliness and isolation.

One day, Sara's husband suggested that she see a clinical psychologist to help her understand her behavior and to find ways to cope with her challenges. At first, Sara was hesitant, but she eventually agreed to go.

During her first session with the psychologist, Sara opened up about her struggles and her feelings of isolation. The psychologist listened carefully, asking questions and offering insights.

"Sara, you're not a drama queen," the psychologist said. "You're autistic."

Sara was stunned. She had never heard of autism before, and she didn't know what it meant. The psychologist explained that autism was a spectrum disorder, meaning that it affected people in different ways. Some people with autism were highly intelligent and had exceptional abilities, while others struggled with communication and social interaction.

Sara's psychologist continued to work with her, helping her to understand her diagnosis and to develop strategies for coping with her challenges. She recommended that Sara seek out support groups and resources for people with autism, and she encouraged her to be patient with herself and to celebrate her strengths.

Over time, Sara began to feel more confident and empowered. She joined a support group for people with autism, where she met others who shared her struggles and her strengths. She learned to communicate more effectively, to advocate for herself, and to celebrate her unique abilities.

Drama Queen is both a personal memoir and a call to action. Sara shares her story with honesty and vulnerability, showing the reader how she overcame her challenges and found joy in her life. She also shares her insights and experiences with others with autism, offering hope and encouragement.

One of the most powerful aspects of Drama Queen is Sara's ability to challenge the stereotypes and misconceptions that surround autism. She shows that people with autism are not broken or defective, but simply different. They have unique strengths and abilities that can be celebrated and used to create a more inclusive and diverse society.

Sara also challenges the idea that there is a cure for autism. She believes that autism is a part of who she is, and that trying to cure it would be to cure her of herself. Instead, she advocates for accommodations and support that allow people with autism to thrive in their own way.

Drama Queen is a powerful and inspiring book that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like they don't fit in or have been misunderstood. It is a testament to the resilience and determination of people with autism, and to the importance of understanding and accepting them for who they are.

In conclusion, Drama Queen is a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand autism and the people who are affected by it. Sara Gibbs's story is powerful and inspiring, and her message is a call to action for a more inclusive and diverse society. By challenging stereotypes and misconceptions, and advocating for accommodations and support, we can create a world where people with autism can thrive and be celebrated for who they are.

Weight: 248g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472274366