Sol Smith is a certified autism specialist, author of The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery, and former college professor who is also autistic, dyslexic, and has ADHD. After spending over twenty years in academia, Sol transitioned into coaching and advocacy, building a large online following and offering guidance to neurodivergent individuals around the world. His work aims to help people better understand themselves and build autonomy—especially those who have felt left behind by systems that weren’t designed with them in mind.
Sol’s personal journey mirrors that of many late-identified autistics. Though he always sensed he was different, it wasn’t until much later that he fully understood his neurotype. Growing up, his family viewed those differences positively, but it wasn’t until creating a podcast during the pandemic that he realized how deeply he had internalized the need to mask his traits. That podcast became the foundation for his book, offering both a critique of traditional education and a guide for navigating life through an autistic lens.
The book serves as a roadmap for unmasking and rebuilding—helping autistic individuals reconnect with themselves after years of performing to meet neurotypical expectations. Sol talks about the emotional toll of masking, the challenge of expressing needs, and how burnout often leads people to seek diagnosis in the first place. He also offers practical tools for identifying what you truly want out of life, communicating with loved ones, and managing stress and rumination. Above all, his message is one of self-acceptance: you're not broken—and you deserve to live as your full, authentic self.
The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway
“You're not broken. Trust that you're a unique person and you're not defined by your neurotype. You are unique even within that neurotype. Start where you are and accept yourself. You're going to be able to overcome the challenges that you're facing and live a happy life.”
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