Review: Sensory: Life on the Spectrum

Editor: Schnumn and Bex Ollerton
Authors/Artists: Emma O’Friel, Arian Sebastian Farzad, Laila Ahamad, Suzanne Wdowik, Chloe F. McKay, Allie, Alice Williams, Matt Crane, Buddy O. Baker, Dean McColl, Noel Fox, Bex Ollerton, Jo Svensson, Rhia May-Byrd, Angelina Eddins, Charlie Watts, Almond, Dominique Morris, Micaela Wainstein, Mell Stansel, Jinx Peregine, Alicia Wdderburn-Graham, Ash Ortiz, Reloaxa, Kayla Gilliam, RJ Fairweather, Jo Blakely, Kyle Lewis, Lindsay Miller, Nova Khan, T Catt, CJ Barrett, Toria McCallum, Alexandra McCarthy, Molly McCracken, Mchiums, Katie Cunningham, C.A. Crisostomo, Taylor Reynolds, CY Popps, Shay Commander
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Released: October 18, 2022
Received: NetGalley

One of the things I love the most about graphic novels is that they can make such complex subjects feel so approachable. This is especially true when sharing perspectives with the world and helping people understand what others experience.

Enter Sensory: Life on the Spectrum. This graphic novel is a collection of short stories and comics. The intent is to cover a wide range of autistic experiences; thus, the team behind it can all speak from experience.

From what I understand, Sensory was originally a series of webcomics. Each week brought a release of a new comic focused on autistic experiences, allowing artists and creatives a chance to share their perspectives with the world. I love that it’s not an entire graphic novel, and I hope this will help reach even more readers!

This graphic novel is an essential read. Let me state that because it bears repeating: Sensory is an essential read. Neurodivergence isn’t a taboo word. It isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s merely a way of describing how your brain may work differently from others.

I adored the variety of stories included in this collection. Readers can see everything from diagnoses to daily life snippets and everything in between. What struck me the most (other than the tales explaining coping mechanisms and other vital details) were the comics explaining the differences between professionally and self-diagnosed patients. Once again, I feel like this is an important thing to learn and a critical conversation to have. So please, take the time to read Sensory; it’s worth it!

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