Join Susan Tatem along with 10 Inspiring Authors in Daring To Belong: Stories of Autism Courage and ConnectionJulie Lavia, Kathleen Sauter, Lisa Jacovsky, Anne-Marie Springer, Cheryl Pankhurst, Tasha Mc, Kandice Fields, Cheri Dixon, Jean Ramsey, Trina ReidWhat if belonging didn’t require pretending.
Daring To Belong is a powerful collection of true stories that exposes the hidden cost of masking, the exhaustion of trying to “fit in,” and the quiet courage it takes to be yourself in a world that often misunderstands autistic people.
Inside these pages, autistic adults, parents, grandparents, educators, and professionals share what autism looks like in real life, not the version that’s easier for society to accept. These stories are honest, tender, and sometimes hard, because they tell the truth about what happens when autistic people are pressured to perform “normal” just to be included.
This anthology is for you if you’ve ever:
- Felt the weight of masking, burnout, and being misunderstood
- Loved an autistic child or autistic adult child and worried about what the future holds
- Wanted schools, workplaces, and communities to stop demanding conformity, and start making room for real people
- Needed language for what you’ve lived, and hope for what can change
You’ll find stories that illuminate identity, self acceptance, advocacy, family life, and the daily realities that many people never see. Most of all, you’ll find a clear message threaded through every chapter:
Autistic people shouldn’t have to perform to be accepted. Society needs to shift, so belonging becomes possible without pretending. Hosted by Susan Tatem, founder of Bright Path 4 Autism, autism advocate, coach, author, speaker, and producer and host of Puzzled Parents, this collection reflects her mission to Educate, Empower, Elevate, and her belief that real change begins when we listen to lived experience.
If you’re ready for a more honest conversation about autism, and a better vision of belonging, start here.