I Cannot Always Think in Pictures (Unabridged‪)‬

Growing up with undiagnosed autism, Travis tells the story of what it is like to experience puberty, sexuality, dating, and relationships on the autism spectrum.

Travis thinks in pictures normally, but when it comes to sexuality, he has a difficult time thinking in pictures. He does not like pornography because the pictures are not of women he knows personally.

Travis talks about some of his struggles with inappropriate sexual behaviors growing up. He was creepy to women and offended them with some of his behaviors. He now works to overcome those intense behaviors.

Travis forms a special interest in specific people in friendships. He fixates on that one person and struggles to pay attention to other people because of the fixation and narrow focus.

Travis does well with people older than him, but struggles building friendships and relationships with people his age. He gets separation anxiety from his peers and hears voices about how they are abandoning him or something terrible is happening to them if he is not in constant contact with him.

Travis talks about his first crush, Cameron Diaz, and how he connects with her in movies. He can connect with her because she is a real person he has seen on tv.

Travis talks about escaping into imagination to create a make-believe world where he can have the most fulfilling friendships and relationships.

This book is a great tool to teach parents and educators what it might feel like to experience puberty, sexuality, dating, and relationships with autism spectrum disorder.