Leigh East

Leigh is the author of two books. Her most recent publication – The Undercover Autistic – Navigating Your Diagnosis (published 2022) – discusses the impact an Autism diagnosis can have – wonderful feelings of euphoria and relief, interlaced with confusion, anger and resentment, which when combined, can create a whole new set of challenges.

Often totally unprepared for such an experience, without timely and appropriate support this phase can feel incredibly hard and isolating. At a time when it can feel like there is a lot to investigate, it can be difficult to do so in a way which does not undermine self-esteem and confidence. How long this phase lasts is different for each person, for some it can be months, for others years. And the scale of disorientation will vary too, but some degree of turmoil is very common.

This book describes one such experience and includes many of the useful techniques and concepts (including energy accounting, a strengths based approach, positive re-labelling, Autistic Burnout to name just a few) all which helped the author move forward from the downward spiral she found herself in following an adult diagnosis.

www.autilistic.com

Her first book – Caesarean Birth: A Positive Approach to Preparation and Recovery (2nd edition 2018) – arose from her own difficulties trying to research an unpopular birth mode and the pressure exerted by professionals.

Leigh believes very firmly in the right to an informed choice. The difficulties she experienced gathering enough information to feel she was able to make such a choice led her to undertake a major piece of research in this area after the birth of her first child.

This book is the culmination of that research.

Additional commentary on issues surrounding caesarean birth can be found at www.csections.org

In addition to writing about this birth mode, she works with several organisations who, together, campaign for unbiased antenatal information and support for women in childbirth. Together they help to bring about change through active stakeholder involvement on the UK NICE Guidelines. She has also participated as user representatives on the UK Government Working Party for Maternity Care.

Leigh is a mum not a doctor, so a wonderful network of specialists participated in the development of this book (see Acknowledgements), but the final text remains her opinion and responsibility. She is confident everything you read is accurate and based on up-to-date research.