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Existing Autistic
a reflection and collection of everything that i have pieced together along the way (megan rhiannon, british illustrator)
a gathering of information about existing autistic designed to be read by those both on and off the spectrum
simplified breakdowns of traits and behaviours, collections of thoughts, facts, advice and feelings with accompanying illustrations throughout
a gathering of information about existing autistic designed to be read by those both on and off the spectrum
simplified breakdowns of traits and behaviours, collections of thoughts, facts, advice and feelings with accompanying illustrations throughout
157 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2020
6 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Megan Rhiannon
1 book842 followersperpetually sleepy autistic illustrator based in london. self-published a book about being autistic ("existing autistic") which you can buy from my website :-)
fan of all things sherlock homes and spooky. even better when they overlap. permanently behind on my reading goals.
fan of all things sherlock homes and spooky. even better when they overlap. permanently behind on my reading goals.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 8, 2020
Existing Autistic is a beautiful zine by the autistic illustrator Megan Rhiannon, who used this as a reflection and collection of everything that she pieced together along the way in relation to her condition.
Autism is defined as a neurodevelopment disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them. It's a difficult and complex condition, as it comes in very different forms and shapes. At the same time, autistic people / people with autism have to cope with a variety of prejudices against them as well as misunderstandings about why they behave and feel the way they do. It can be tough for everyone affected – the people diagnosed themselves as well as everyone around.
This zine is beautifully illustrated and also extremely insightful. Megan speaks of her own diagnosis, which she only received when 19 years old and following many years of stress and confusion about why things were seemingly different for her than for other folks. She speaks of how autistic people cope, what stimming and breakdowns are, how special interests are manifested among other things. It's a book I will treasure a lot.
Autism is defined as a neurodevelopment disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them. It's a difficult and complex condition, as it comes in very different forms and shapes. At the same time, autistic people / people with autism have to cope with a variety of prejudices against them as well as misunderstandings about why they behave and feel the way they do. It can be tough for everyone affected – the people diagnosed themselves as well as everyone around.
This zine is beautifully illustrated and also extremely insightful. Megan speaks of her own diagnosis, which she only received when 19 years old and following many years of stress and confusion about why things were seemingly different for her than for other folks. She speaks of how autistic people cope, what stimming and breakdowns are, how special interests are manifested among other things. It's a book I will treasure a lot.
August 20, 2020
I've been following the work of young autistic illustrator Megan Rhiannon for a number of years now, and was delighted when she brought out a book about living with autism. I find her illustrations capture so much of my own experience, such as how it feels to be stuck and overwhelmed in a busy space and not remember how to get home, and they are also genuinely useful, such as the reminder sheets to help keep up with daily tasks. There aren't a lot of books about autistic adults, though the number is increasing, and I've read many of them. Often, while I'm glad the book exists, I don't find it speaks to me on a personal level, or it doesn't capture my experience in a visceral way. Megan's book is different: the combination of illustrations and text combine to create a portrait that chimes strongly with my own experience of autism, and makes me feel much less alone. She covers many key topics, such as being diagnosed at an older age, and the experience of growing up with undiagnosed autism. She also writes about sensory overload, stimming, burn-out, special interests, and other topics that are often missed by mainstream autism guides.
I was particularly moved by her piece on masking. Masking is a term used to describe an autistic person trying to appear neurotypical, and as Megan describes, it's often something we've done for so long it happens when we're in our own safe spaces too. I had hoped that after I got my diagnosis, I could talk to people about my autism and stop trying to mask, but it hasn't happened like that. The masking is unconcious, and I can't stop it, although I would feel a lot better if I could be more free. Megan makes me feel less alone with this. This book is also very accessible to all audiences: Megan's language is clear and simple. I showed this book to my mother, and she found it very helpful as a way to talk to me about ways I'm different, and Megan explained really well why she needs to stop telling me that "I don't seem autistic" or that she "doesn't think of me as autistic." Highly recommend this book to everyone.
I was particularly moved by her piece on masking. Masking is a term used to describe an autistic person trying to appear neurotypical, and as Megan describes, it's often something we've done for so long it happens when we're in our own safe spaces too. I had hoped that after I got my diagnosis, I could talk to people about my autism and stop trying to mask, but it hasn't happened like that. The masking is unconcious, and I can't stop it, although I would feel a lot better if I could be more free. Megan makes me feel less alone with this. This book is also very accessible to all audiences: Megan's language is clear and simple. I showed this book to my mother, and she found it very helpful as a way to talk to me about ways I'm different, and Megan explained really well why she needs to stop telling me that "I don't seem autistic" or that she "doesn't think of me as autistic." Highly recommend this book to everyone.
September 8, 2020
Megan Rhiannon's Existing Autistic is a truly beautiful zine about her experiences of being an autistic person. It is one of the best, most beautiful and comprehensive primers on what autism is that I’ve ever read. It also includes lots of ideas for types of stims, ways to relax and lots of cute inserts that can be stuck up around, not least this cute little bookmark!
I strongly recommend picking up a copy, but especially saving up for the hardcopy if you can because I think it's remarkably beautiful and often go back to it.
This would make a great present for someone newly diagnosed/realising they are autistic, or for anyone who wants to learn more about autism -- especially friends, partners and family.
A must must read.
I strongly recommend picking up a copy, but especially saving up for the hardcopy if you can because I think it's remarkably beautiful and often go back to it.
This would make a great present for someone newly diagnosed/realising they are autistic, or for anyone who wants to learn more about autism -- especially friends, partners and family.
A must must read.
August 13, 2023
A great guide to autism 🥲
March 4, 2025
For a small book, Existing Autistic is packed with information and beautiful art - plus some lovely little pull out pages and even a pretty bookmark. It was a joy to read.
Written by a late diagnosed woman, there were several moments that made me emotional at how relatable they were. It was especially meaningful to find something written by an autistic adult for autistic adults. I’m so glad I purchased this!
Top Quotes
On seeking a diagnosis:
On growing up autistic but unknowing:
On the benefits of diagnosis, even if late:
Written by a late diagnosed woman, there were several moments that made me emotional at how relatable they were. It was especially meaningful to find something written by an autistic adult for autistic adults. I’m so glad I purchased this!
Top Quotes
On seeking a diagnosis:
I was terrified that I would have the assessment and not get the diagnosis. that the answers I knew to be true would be declared untrue because I had gotten too good at hiding it all. That I would freeze up and not be able to explain myself, my past, my present.
On growing up autistic but unknowing:
You can't work out how everybody else seems to cope and move through life so effortlessly - how they can talk, listen, play, feel, learn with so much less difficulty than you can […] it's growing up chronically misunderstood and lonely, despite the intentions of those around you. Though I reiterate the word unknowing, many of us are not truly unknowing - we do not know that we are autistic, but we do know that something is very deeply, fundamentally different and "wrong" about us.
On the benefits of diagnosis, even if late:
The confusion and profound hurt and loss that I felt growing up was not cured or erased by my late diagnosis, but receiving it gave me the chance at processing and coping with much of what I went through, and continue to go through. A diagnosis—whether late, early, formal, informal or self-appointed—gives an autistic individual a lens to be able to view, process, accept and cope with their autistic life and everything that comes with it.
September 17, 2020
A really interesting own-voices look at autism in the modern world. I love the way she writes in such an inclusive and sweeping way to include all experiences of autism, but then tells her own story so we get a sense of her specific experiences and struggles. This really helped my boyfriend to understand his difficulties and symptoms retrospectively, as he never had anything like as informative a resource when he was growing up.
It was really handy for me to read, too, as it explained a lot of his behaviours and helped to point out to me which things are more than just habits and are way more important to his 'autistic health' than I would've otherwise thought. It's also given me a framework to discuss the experience of autism with him, so I know the kind of questions to ask to try and explore what it's been like for him.
It's not an academic text but it's a very, very helpful introduction and humanisation of the way autism shapes your daily experiences.
Because it is self-published there are some spelling/vocabulary mistakes and some design inconsistencies which would have been smoothed out with a proper editing process - but I really love her illustrations and her message, so I'm letting this go!
It was really handy for me to read, too, as it explained a lot of his behaviours and helped to point out to me which things are more than just habits and are way more important to his 'autistic health' than I would've otherwise thought. It's also given me a framework to discuss the experience of autism with him, so I know the kind of questions to ask to try and explore what it's been like for him.
It's not an academic text but it's a very, very helpful introduction and humanisation of the way autism shapes your daily experiences.
Because it is self-published there are some spelling/vocabulary mistakes and some design inconsistencies which would have been smoothed out with a proper editing process - but I really love her illustrations and her message, so I'm letting this go!
February 5, 2025
I can’t fully express how much this book means to me. I am going through a difficult time, and these words have helped me remember my ways. Thank you so much for making me feel less alone and helping me come back to life on my own terms.
I only wish I could have a physical copy, but I will keep the pdf on my phone so I can always revisit it whenever I need to.
I only wish I could have a physical copy, but I will keep the pdf on my phone so I can always revisit it whenever I need to.
August 20, 2020
Amazing! *chef's kiss*
September 22, 2020
I feel understood
May 20, 2023
bro im crying in the club
i hope one day i'll be able to snag a physical copy to just have near me. this little zine has so much heart and makes me feel like it'll all be okay. even if it's hard.
i hope one day i'll be able to snag a physical copy to just have near me. this little zine has so much heart and makes me feel like it'll all be okay. even if it's hard.
October 26, 2023
i dont remember exactly when i read this but can't believe i haven't logged it
September 24, 2021
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Existing autistic var den første zine jeg har læst, og med sin baggrund og erfaring indenfor illustration har Megan Rhiannon skab en zine der er en absolut fornøjelse at læse. Med yndige illustration og kreative detaljer, såsom et indbygget bogmærke. Det har meget personligt præg, det føles lidt som Megan sidder ved siden af hele vejen igennem.
Men nok endnu mere vigtigt så fortæller med rå autenticitet og ærlighed om sin oplevelse med at vokse op udiagnoiseret og få sin diagnose senere i livet.
Hvilket jeg tror vil være en historie som ræsonere med rigtig mange.
Min favorit del af zinen er autisme 101 delen, hvor vi starter helt basis med hvad autisme og neurodiversitet er. Men takler også hvorfor funktionsniveauet (højt fungerende osv) ikke er hjælpsomt og den takkede profil.
Beskrivelserne af sanseudfordninger og hjælpemidler der til, var så spot on at jeg følte mig set.
Jeg tror rigtig mange unge autister eller nydiagnoiserede autister ville have gavn af denne her bog og dens simple men gode forklaring samt forslag til coping strategier.
Det her er den søde lille bog som jeg ville ønske nogen har givet mig sammen min diagnose. Den kommer fra et autistisk synspunkt og med neurodiversitets synspunkt. Altså bliver du ikke slået i hovedet med en alle dine mangler, men bliver istedet mødt som dit autistiske selv med alle de vanskeligheder det nu en gang kan medfører.
Jeg ville ønske at det var nemmere at få fat på denne bog og at den var tilgængelig på dansk og biblioteker. Det er desværre ikke tilfældet, men jeg synes helt klart at bogen er besværet og ventetiden værd.
Existing autistic var den første zine jeg har læst, og med sin baggrund og erfaring indenfor illustration har Megan Rhiannon skab en zine der er en absolut fornøjelse at læse. Med yndige illustration og kreative detaljer, såsom et indbygget bogmærke. Det har meget personligt præg, det føles lidt som Megan sidder ved siden af hele vejen igennem.
Men nok endnu mere vigtigt så fortæller med rå autenticitet og ærlighed om sin oplevelse med at vokse op udiagnoiseret og få sin diagnose senere i livet.
Hvilket jeg tror vil være en historie som ræsonere med rigtig mange.
Min favorit del af zinen er autisme 101 delen, hvor vi starter helt basis med hvad autisme og neurodiversitet er. Men takler også hvorfor funktionsniveauet (højt fungerende osv) ikke er hjælpsomt og den takkede profil.
Beskrivelserne af sanseudfordninger og hjælpemidler der til, var så spot on at jeg følte mig set.
Jeg tror rigtig mange unge autister eller nydiagnoiserede autister ville have gavn af denne her bog og dens simple men gode forklaring samt forslag til coping strategier.
Det her er den søde lille bog som jeg ville ønske nogen har givet mig sammen min diagnose. Den kommer fra et autistisk synspunkt og med neurodiversitets synspunkt. Altså bliver du ikke slået i hovedet med en alle dine mangler, men bliver istedet mødt som dit autistiske selv med alle de vanskeligheder det nu en gang kan medfører.
Jeg ville ønske at det var nemmere at få fat på denne bog og at den var tilgængelig på dansk og biblioteker. Det er desværre ikke tilfældet, men jeg synes helt klart at bogen er besværet og ventetiden værd.
September 21, 2023
The entirety of this book is a carefully curated experience and is a book that every human should keep close in their library bosom.
May 30, 2025
A very thorough account of what it is to live as an autistic person, adult, and late diagnosed. I feel seen and I gathered useful advice to navigate life a little easier. Thank you Megan!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews