SOLD IN OVER 20 COUNTRIES
A book written from the heart about the brain
Through socialising exclusively with people too drunk to remember it later, to pretending to be dead to avoid answering the door, Too High to Function documents what life can be like living on the autism spectrum.
In Too High to Function, Charlotte opens her heart up to the vulnerability she has experienced whilst living on the autism spectrum. Having spent years researching the neuroscience behind her autistic traits, she wanted to impart her wisdom to others, helping to give an enlightening explanation to anyone who has ever felt isolated, including bewildered parents and family members.
This raw, heart-breaking yet hilarious account will become your weapon of self-construction, autistic or not, taking you on a journey of self-acceptance, whilst celebrating the power of the mind, and all the weird and wonderful things about it.
This isn't just a book about autism; it's the good, the bad and the socially ugly!
Reader Accessibility
It's important to Charlotte that Too High to Function is accessible for her readers. With this in mind, she chose a larger font and there are regular breaks within each chapter - look out for the clouds!
Themed playlists also accompany each chapter.
Printed on
re-cycled paper
Too High to Function has now made it to over 20 countries and every continent - yes, even Antartica!
We thought we'd share some of the lovely photos readers have sent in from around the world.
Why 'Too High to Function' ?
The labels high and low functioning are starting to be considered controversial, and I can understand why. Before my diagnosis, my knowledge of autism was limited. I thought that being autistic meant that you were either a sociopathic mastermind like Sherlock Holmes or that you belonged to the cast of Rain Man.
This is where the terms high and low functioning get confusing. People often assume that because I'm classed as 'high functioning', I don't struggle as much as other people on the spectrum. (In fact, some people expect me to have magical savant superpowers.) Although I do have my own set of unique autism-given gifts that allow me to excel in certain fields, I'm definitely not a genius...sorry to disappoint. I am just your average autie. Superpowers not included.
The reason why I am so uncomfortable with these labels is because they're inaccurate. The truth is, some days I can function reasonably well, but depending on my energy and anxiety levels, on others I can barely function at all. Sometimes I can be too high functioning for my own good, as I often struggle to keep up with my brains processing.
Autistic people are seen as either total geniuses or complete burdens on society – there doesn't seem to be a middle ground. But the autism spectrum is exactly that: a spectrum. My own account of life lived in this complexity might help to explain a bit more about what that means.
The 1920's called... they want their depression back.
"Charlotte has a dazzling poetic talent- and she's funny too!"
Andrew Davies, Screenwriter, Playwright, Author and BAFTA Fellow.
"We are thrilled to be publishing this fantastic debut collection by an amazing poet who stunned us with her poetry just over a year ago. What happens when you force a geek girl to choose between Nuclear Fission and the colour Pink? In this collection Charlotte lays her arsenal of weapons at the feet of her enemies and eggs them on. Brave or stupid? Let's find out.... Come with us as we take a tour of her not-so-roaring Warring Twenties"
- The Jawbone Collective.
Her love of poetry with a passion to convey a strong message surrounding neurodivergence and mental health, creates a wonderful cocktail of witty, poignant and thought-provoking verse.