Am I Still Autistic?

John R. Hall chronicles his journey from being diagnosed as severely autistic as a toddler to becoming the CEO of a successful educational technology company. The memoir provides a first-hand perspective of living with autism and overcoming early developmental challenges. The narrative follows Hall's progression through childhood, his educational experiences, and his path to founding Greenwood & Hall in Santa Ana, California. The book also covers his transition to parenthood and his experience as a father facing his own child's autism diagnosis. This autobiography examines the intersection of personal achievement, neurodiversity, and parenting. Through Hall's experiences, the book presents a perspective on autism that challenges conventional limitations and expectations.

Readers value Hall's personal insights into outgrowing many autism symptoms and his practical advice for others on similar journeys. Parents of autistic children find the book hopeful while noting it represents one individual's experience. Positive feedback focuses on: - Clear explanations of the author's early struggles and coping methods - Parent-oriented guidance and encouragement - Raw honesty about relationships and social challenges Common criticisms include: - Overly optimistic messaging about "recovery" possibilities - Limited scientific evidence for claims - Writing style described as repetitive by some readers Ratings: Amazon: 4.3/5 from 97 reviews Goodreads: 3.8/5 from 42 ratings One parent reviewer wrote: "Gave me hope but also realistic expectations for my child's future." Another reader noted: "His experiences don't match current understanding of autism as a lifelong condition." The most frequent debate in reviews centers on whether autism can be "overcome" versus managed differently over time.

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🔹 John R. Hall went from being non-verbal at age 3 to becoming a successful business executive and public speaker, demonstrating the significant potential for development in individuals with autism. 🔹 The author represents a rare perspective in autism literature - someone who can articulate both the experience of having autism and being a parent to a child with autism. 🔹 Hall's journey challenges the 1970s understanding of autism, when many medical professionals believed children diagnosed with severe autism would never lead independent lives. 🔹 The book was published at a significant time when adult autism narratives were uncommon, helping bridge a gap in first-person accounts of autism across a full lifespan. 🔹 The author's experiences highlight the evolving nature of autism symptoms over time, as his manifestation of autism changed significantly from childhood to adulthood - a phenomenon not widely documented when the book was written.