Autism Spectrum Disorder Books

Book SynopsisAs seen on the BBC documentary, Inside Our Autistic Minds, with Chris Packham'A MUST-READ' Kieran Rose, The Autistic AdvocateOne of the biggest challenges if you are an autistic adult (or suspect you might be) is navigating the situations which to the predominantly neurotypical population might appear completely benign but which cause you huge stress, anxiety and worry. At work, at university, in social situations, in friendships, relationships, in shops, in unfamiliar environments - there are a wealth of things that can make you feel overwhelmed if the world is full of things that you feel nobody else notices but which cause you huge distress. Dr Luke Beardon has put together an optimistic, upbeat and readable guide that will be essential reading not just for any autistic adult, but for anyone who loves, lives with or works with an autistic person. Emphasising that autism is not behaviour, but at the same time acknowledging that there are risks of increased anxiety specific to autism, this practical book gives clear strategies that the autistic person can adopt to minimise their anxiety and live comfortably in a world full of what may seem to be noise and chaos.At the same time, Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Adults this book gives clear guidelines and mission statements to those who live or work with autistic people that they, too, can implement to accommodate needs that are different to their own, taking a radical new step towards a genuinely inclusive world in which autistic people don't just survive, but in which they thrive.Trade ReviewDr Beardon's book highlights that anxiety for Autistic people exists not because we are predisposed to it, but as a very real response to the negative consequences of the environments around us. Taking us through stages of when anxiety might be heightened, Dr Beardon validates Autistic experience; suggesting where Autistic people could take some control and focusing not on Autistic people as the ones who need to change, but instead on how those around us can and should change. * Kieran Rose, The Autistic Advocate *So many excellent ideas, with insightful and important examples from the experiences of autistic people throughout.This book is easy to read, full of practical advice, and has led me to think deeply about autistic anxiety. From sensory and healthcare needs, diagnosis and employment, through to relationships and relaxation, there is something for everyone. * Ann Memmott *An accessible and essential guide to understanding the subtleties that can cause anxiety for autistic people; with simple tips that can make a huge difference.You will meet autistic people, so please read this book. * Cos Michael *Covering crucial areas such as employment, healthcare and relationships, this book empowers autistic people and their loved ones to advocate for a better quality of life. As always, Luke's knowledge, passion and wealth of experience shines through every page. * Heather Greatbatch *

Read more less

Book SynopsisEliza Fricker gets it. Describing her perfectly imperfect experience of raising a PDA child, with societal judgements and internal pressures, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, resentful and alone. This book's comedic illustrations explain these challenging situations and feelings in a way that words simply cannot, will bring some much-needed levity back into PDA parenting. Humorous anecdotes with a compassionate tone remind parents that they are not alone, and they're doing a great job. If children are safe, happy, and you leave the house on time, who cares about some smelly socks? A light-hearted and digestible guide to being a PDA parent covering everything from tolerance levels, relationships and meltdowns to collaboration, flexibility, and self care to dip in and out as your schedule allows to help get to grips with this complex condition. This book is an essential read for any parent with a PDA child, to help better understand your child, build support systems and carve out some essential self care time guilt free.Trade ReviewIn The Family Experience of PDA Eliza Fricker shares her heartfelt insights through an accessible illustrated volume that will be helpful to parents as they support, encourage, and manage their children who may have features of PDA. The book through words and pictures provides the important lessons she has learned about the sensitivities and regulatory capacity of her child. Eliza shares the basic principles that enabled her child and family to feel safer and to mutually enjoy daily interactions. We learn the power of softening the edges of restrictive parenting, which may function in more resilient children with higher thresholds to be reactive but is disastrous with a child with feature of PDA. We learn that a gentler less demanding, accepting, and positive playful parental strategy will lead to more cooperative behaviors and mutually rewarding co-regulatory interactions. -- Stephen W. Porges, PhD, Professor Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillThis book is the perfect tonic for frazzled loved ones of children with PDA. Perfectly imperfect, quirky and always en pointe, Eliza will make you nod and smile with her descriptions and illustrations whilst also providing you with a tonne of practical ideas without once seeming preachy. -- Dr Pooky Knightsmith, Child and Adolescent Mental Health ExpertTable of ContentsForeword by Ruth Fidler; Introduction; Tolerance Levels; Meltdowns; Relationships; Sensory; Anxiety; Collaboration; Flexibility; Prioritising; Positives; Self Care

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book explored the positive benefits that Energy Accounting can have for autistic individuals and others seeking stress management, and provides practical guidance for introducing this into daily life. The strategies discussed have been created by and for autistic people and can be tailored to different age ranges and lifestyles.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhether you just got diagnosed as AuDHD, or came to the realization on your own, you''re probably wondering...what do I do now? That''s how Megan Griffith felt after her own AuDHD diagnosis in her late 20s. So she wrote the AuDHD welcome guide that she (and so many other late-realized AuDHDers) desperately needed.As an adult who''s AuDHD, you need adult advice on how to do adult things, like how to make dinner every single night for the rest of forever, or how to interview for, get, and keep a job without burning out. You need support that''s designed for you as an adult, and as someone who''s not just autistic, not just ADHD, but both.This book covers all of that, and more. From gentle emotional validation to incredibly practical advice, and exercises to help you create real change in your daily life, Megan Griffith is ready to be your guide into the wonderful, terrible, confusing, liberating world of AuDHD.Welcome home.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDon't Let the Forest In meets The Whispering Dark in a queer YA cult horror following a recently diagnosed autistic teen who becomes enmeshed in a community of outcasts harboring sinister secrets. One of the best horror novels of the year, full stop. Haunting, heartfelt, and downright creepy. Kamilah Cole, bestselling author of So Let Them BurnWhen Cassie Davis returns to her hometown in upstate New York, eager to mask her autism diagnosis from her old friends, tensions rise. On a backpacking trip to celebrate her homecoming, Cassie wakes to an abandoned campsite and discovers an off-the-grid compound called the Roost. Here she finds an enigmatic boy named Kaleb who makes Cassie feel, for the first time, as if she truly belongs. But at what price?In a world where autistic characters rarely get to be the hero of their own stories, Cassie Davis's one-step-back, two-steps-forward journey to unmasking makes Hollow as much a love letter to neurodiversity as it is a haunting tale you'll want to read with the lights on. Read if You Love:* Don't Go in the Woods* Deadly Road Trips* CottageGORE* Malevolent Masks* Cults* Nerd-core* Wound-tending* First Love

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Waterstones Best Popular Science Book of 2024 Pick - from the bestselling author of BORN ON A BLUE DAY and THINKING IN NUMBERS'Bursting with feeling and possibility' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH'Nine Minds offers something that autistic people urgently need: it humanises us' KATHERINE MAY'Tammet's exquisite portraits remind us that the variety of brains is every bit as essential as any other form of diversity' ANDREW SOLOMON'A book as beautiful as the minds it portrays' AMY TANA Japanese researcher in psychology sets out to measure loneliness while drawing on her own experience of autism. A quirky boy growing up in 1950s Ottawa sows the seeds of his future Hollywood stardom. In the US, a non-verbal man explores body language, gesture by eloquent gesture, in his mother's yoga classes. Nine Minds delves into the extraordinary lives of nine neurodivergent men and women from around the globe. From a Fields Medal-winning mathematician to a murder detective, a pioneering surgeon to a bestselling novelist, each is remarkable in their field, and each is changing how the world sees those on the spectrum. Exploding the tired stereotypes of autism, Daniel Tammet - acclaimed author and an autistic savant himself - reaches across the divides of age, gender, sexuality and nationality to draw out the inner worlds of his subjects. Telling stories as richly diverse as the spectrum itself, this illuminating, life-affirming work of narrative nonfiction celebrates the power and beauty of the neurodivergent mind, and the daring freedom with which these individuals have built their lives. 'Nine Minds reminds us of the diversity within neurodiversity' GRAEME SIMSION

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisUNMASKING FOR LIFE, DEVON PRICE''S NEW BOOK, IS AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW***OVER 250,000 COPIES SOLD''Outstanding.'' -Fern Brady, author of Strong Female Character''Reading this felt like being at home - I didn''t realise how much I masked. What an incredible book that I know will be re-read many times over.'' -Dr Camilla Pang, author of Explaining Humans''A remarkable work that will stand at the forefront of the neurodiversity movement.'' -Dr Barry M. Prizant, author of Uniquely Human''A powerful argument for radical self-acceptance applicable to all readers.'' -Los Angeles Times''An essential roadmap for autistic people to be themselves.'' -NPRHave you, a friend or family member been living with undiagnosed autism?For every visibly Autistic person you meet, there are countless ''masked'' people who pass as neurotypical. They don''t fit the stereotypical mould of Autism and are often forced by necessity to mask who they are, spending their entire lives trying to hide their Autistic traits. In particular, there is evidence that Autism remains significantly undiagnosed in women, people of colour, trans and gender non-conforming people, many of whom are only now starting to recognise those traits later in life.Blending cutting-edge research, personal insights and practical exercises for self-expression, Dr Devon Price examines the phenomenon of ''masking'', making a passionate argument for radical authenticity and non-conformity. A powerful call for change, Unmasking Autism gifts its readers with the tools to uncover their true selves and build a new society - one where everyone can thrive on their own terms.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWant to read just one book about autism? Read this. Written by Temple Grandin, one of the world's most accomplished and well-known adults with autism, this thought-provoking, insightful and inspirational book - with illustrative diagrams and key points pulled out for emphasis - will assist not only fellow autistics and families with affected members, but also researchers and physicians seeking to better understand the condition.'An extraordinary source of inspiration for autistic children, their parents - and all people' -- Time'The Autistic Brain can both enlighten readers with little exposure to autism and offer hope and compassion to those who live with the condition' -- Scientific American'Grandin has helped us understand autism not just as a phenomenon, but as a different but coherent mode of existence that otherwise confounds us...' -- New York Times'Enjoyable, insightful read' -- ***** Reader review'This book is a delight from start to finish' -- ***** Reader review'Superb, readable book' -- ***** Reader review'Great book. Very insightful and easy to follow' -- ***** Reader review********************************************************************************************It's estimated that one in almost a hundred people are diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum but there is far more hope for them today than ever before thanks to ground-breaking new research.In this fascinating and highly readable book, Temple Grandin offers her own experience as an autistic person alongside remarkable new discoveries about the autistic brain, as well as genetic research.She highlights long-ignored sensory problems as well as the need to treat autism symptom by symptom, rather than with an umbrella diagnosis. Most exciting of all, she argues that raising and educating children on the autistic spectrum needs to be less about focusing on their weaknesses, and more about fostering their unique contributions.Written in a clear, concise and accessible way, with illustrative diagrams and key points pulled out for emphasis, this is an all-encompassing guide that will change the perception of autism.Trade ReviewAn extraordinary source of inspiration for autistic children, their parents - and all people. * Time *The Autistic Brain can both enlighten readers with little exposure to autism and offer hope and compassion to those who live with the condition. * Scientific American *Grandin has reached a stunning level of sophistication about herself and the science of autism. Her observations will assist not only fellow autistics and families with affected members, but also researchers and physicians seeking to better understand the condition. -- Jerome Groopman * The New York Review of Books *Grandin has helped us understand autism not just as a phenomenon, but as a different but coherent mode of existence that otherwise confounds us…She excels at finding concrete examples that reveal the perceptual and social limitations of autistic and "neurotypical" people alike. * New York Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThere are over 1 million people in the UK with Asperger's Syndrome - that's 1 in 100 Brits. It is often known as a hidden disability', with the symptoms revolving around communication difficulties which are often hard to spot.Trade Reviewhighly comprehensive written in an accessible style and is of equal relevance to both adults and children with Asperger Syndrome. (Communication, June 2011).Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 Part I: Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome 9 Chapter 1: Introducing Asperger’s Syndrome 11 Chapter 2: Discovering the Causes of Asperger’s Syndrome 23 Chapter 3: Diagnosing Asperger’s Syndrome 35 Chapter 4: Discovering Additional Diagnoses in Asperger’s Syndrome 59 Chapter 5: Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome in Women 81 Part II: Living with Asperger’s Syndrome 99 Chapter 6: Enjoying Life with Asperger’s Syndrome 101 Chapter 7: Getting the Most Out of Education and the Workplace 121 Chapter 8: Finding Independence and Advocating for Your Rights 133 Part III: Supporting People with Asperger’s Syndrome 147 Chapter 9: Parenting Children Who Have Asperger’s Syndrome 149 Chapter 10: Parenting During School, College and Adult Life 173 Chapter 11: Relating to People Who Have Asperger’s Syndrome 195 Chapter 12: Sussing Out Sensory Difficulties 219 Part IV: Discovering Therapies, Medication and Diet for Asperger’s Syndrome 235 Chapter 13: Navigating Behavioural Therapies 237 Chapter 14: Understanding Medication and Medical Procedures 259 Chapter 15: Digesting Diet 269 Part V: The Part of Tens 281 Chapter 16: Ten (Or So) Sources of Support and Information on Asperger’s Syndrome 283 Chapter 17: Ten Positives about Living with Asperger’s Syndrome 293 Chapter 18: Ten Famous People (Some Fictional) Who May Have Had Asperger’s Syndrome 299 Appendix A: A List of Books You Might Like to Read (And Some Discs) 311 Appendix B: Glossary 319 Index 331

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe No. 1 Sunday Times and internationally bestselling account of life as a child with autism, now a documentary film Winner of Best Documentary and Best Sound in the British Independent Film Awards 2021. 'It will stretch your vision of what it is to be human' Andrew Solomon, The TimesWhat is it like to have autism? How can we know what a person - especially a child - with autism is thinking and feeling? This groundbreaking book, written by Naoki Higashida when he was only thirteen, provides some answers. Severely autistic and non-verbal, Naoki learnt to communicate by using a 'cardboard keyboard' - and what he has to say gives a rare insight into an autistically-wired mind. He explains behaviour he's aware can be baffling such as why he likes to jump and why some people with autism dislike being touched; he describes how he perceives and navigates the world, sharing his thoughts and feelings about time, life, beauty and nature; and he offers an unforgettable short story. Proving that people with autism do not lack imagination, humour or empathy, THE REASON I JUMP made a major impact on its publication in English. Widely praised, it was an immediate No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller as well as a New York Times bestseller and has since been published in over thirty languages.In 2020, a documentary film based on the book received its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Jerry Rothwell, produced by Jeremy Dear, Stevie Lee and Al Morrow, and funded by Vulcan Productions and the British Film Institute, it won the festival's Audience Award for World Cinema Documentary, then further awards at the Vancouver, Denver and Valladolid International Film Festivals before its global release in 2021.The book includes eleven original illustrations inspired by Naoki's words, by the artistic duo Kai and Sunny.Trade ReviewAn extraordinary account of how autism feels from the inside. * Observer *The most remarkable book of the year. The book throws a pontoon bridge over the chasm dividing autistic and neuro-typical experience. * Spectator *The Reason I Jump reads effortlessly, each page challenging preconceptions that autistic people lack empathy, humour or imagination. * Independent on Sunday *This is a wonderful book. I defy anyone not to be captivated, charmed and uplifted by it. But above all, you will never feel the same about autism again. * Evening Standard *The freshness of voice coexists with so much wisdom . . . it will stretch your vision of what it is to be human. * The Times *Impossible to forget. * Evening Standard *A book that acts like a door to another logic, explaining why an autistic child might flap his hands in front of his face, disappear suddenly from home - or jump. -- Neil Tweedie * Sunday Telegraph *A book that makes me want to say, "This is truly important, and anyone interested in autism should read it," is a rare find. The Reason I Jump achieves that status . . . [it] builds one of the strongest bridges yet constructed between the world of autism and the neurotypical world . . . There are many more questions I'd like to ask Naoki, but the first words I'd say to him are "thank you". -- Charlotte Moore * Sunday Times *Every page dismantles another preconception about autism. Higashida's language is precise and has a poetic quality that elevates it far beyond a self-help book for the parents of autistic children. His fictional stories, also included in this book, vary in length from a few lines to dozens of pages and are united by their beautiful simplicity. They all share a strong single theme, namely, that even if living is different and difficult, you can still find companionship and happiness. Once you understand how Higashida managed to write this book, you lose your heart to him. -- Caroline Crampton * New Statesman *This is a wonderful book. I defy anyone not to be captivated, charmed and uplifted by it. But above all, you will never feel the same about autism again. -- John Preston * Evening Standard *We have our received ideas, we believe they correspond roughly to the way things are, then a book comes along that simply blows all this so-called knowledge out of the water. This is one of them . . . This book is an entry into another world. It was discovered by K.A. Yoshida, wife of the novelist David Mitchell, who gave us some memorable other worlds in Cloud Atlas . . . Naoki says he wants to be a writer when he grows up. David Mitchell points out that he already is one. This spectacular little book may or may not be the beginning of a prolific career, but it's a wholly realised work of art in itself, and its dignity and stoicism are sometimes almost unbearably moving. And no, he doesn't wish he was 'normal'. He says he is happy as he is, and I think I believe him. -- Marcus Berkmann * Daily Mail *As much a winsome work of the imagination as it is a user's manual for parents, carers and teachers. In its quirky humour and courage, it resembles Albert Espinosa's Spanish bestseller, The Yellow World . . . This book gives us autism from the inside, as we have never seen it. * Independent *The freshness of voice coexists with so much wisdom . . . it will stretch your vision of what it is to be human. -- Aw Solomon * The Times *The Reason I Jump reads effortlessly, each page challenging preconceptions that autistic people lack empathy, humour or imagination. Higashida's insights confirm some of my suspicions (perhaps the phrases that my sister repeats feel pleasurable, 'like a game of catch with a ball'), whilst challenging others . . . And raising new possibilities. * Independent on Sunday *The most remarkable book of the year was The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida. The book throws a pontoon bridge over the chasm dividing autistic and neuro-typical experience. -- Charlotte Moore, Spectator Books of the YearWritten by an autistic Japanese boy when he was just 13, this remarkable book, which became a No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller earlier this year, offers an unparalleled view inside the closed world of childhood autism. Higashida's eye-opening answers to 58 questions - such as: "Why do you ask the same questions over and over?" or: "Why can you never stay still?" - are accompanied by a series of short tales, and an introduction from the novelist David Mitchell (who has an autistic son himself) that makes clear just how exceptional and rare this book is. -- Andrew Holgate * Sunday Times *A remarkable memoir. A touching and fascinating guide to the tangled byways of his mind. Every page dismantles another of our preconceptions about autism. * Mail on Sunday *Revelatory -- John Harris * Guardian *

Read more less

Book SynopsisMasking is a form of identity management involving consciously or unconsciously suppressing aspects of identity and action. Often seen in socially marginalised groups, it is found to contribute towards poorer outcomes for autistic people and is related to higher prevalence of suicidality, exhaustion & burnout, and mental health difficulties. Though masking has been predominantly framed as a social strategy to 'blend in' with neurotypical (non-autistic) people, emerging research suggests that masking can also form as a response to stigma and from traumatic experiences. Taking an intersectional lens to consider how autistic identity may interact with other aspects of selfhood, the authors will provide a holistic understanding of the most up-to-date evidence with the aim to develop solid knowledge and practice in health and education.Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. Setting the scene: social context and background 3. Deconstructing current ideas around masking 4. Stigma 5. Intersectionality: understanding masking as a stress response 6. Masking and gender 7. Masking and trauma 8. Development (of identity; of masking) and processes 9. Mechanisms of masking 10. Projecting acceptability 11. How to (safely) foster authenticity -boundaries, safe spaces etc. 12. Conclusions; summary; moving forward Appendices: glossary

Read more less

Book SynopsisA short, informative guide for adults who are supporting children with a PDA profile, including parents, extended family members and professionals. The emphasis is on accessibility and demystification. There are engaging illustrations provided throughout.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis ground-breaking book about sexuality speaks to women on the autism spectrum in fresh new ways, opening doors to discussion, and blowing the lid off taboo subjects.One of the many problems women on the spectrum face is not always understanding how relationships and boundaries work for other people. This book provides answers, plus more that they may not even have thought to ask. Covering one night stands, the importance of safe sex, self-respect, and double standards, there is a wealth of information about the ethics and self-understanding involved in relationships. Written with humour and honesty, this is the go-to guide for sex on the spectrum.Trade ReviewWhat a rare treat this book is. Artemisia takes us on a wonderful, descriptive ride through her romantic and sexual adventures as an autistic woman trying to work it all out and never losing hope of finding love. -- Sarah Hendrickx, Autistic adult, author and consultantIf you are living the single life and sex on the spectrum always has baffled you this is the book to grab. I couldn't put it down once I started. Artemisia is such a wise woman and I love her honesty and perseverance not to mention the 105 important rules. Read this book and learn from one of the best. This is truly a brilliant piece of work. -- Anne Skov Jensen, Founder/Coach A-Team Denmark, SpeakerWho cares about Carrie Bradshaw! Have an insight into Artemisia's Life! Her intense perception, frank description and critical reflection of her own experiences take you on a profound and yet entertaining road trip through the jungle of dating. -- Annette Beger, MA in Management of ArtA memoir full of delightful and important information regarding life on the spectrum. Sometimes hilarious and twisted, other times dark and suspenseful, always sensual and inevitably controversial, the book is a must read. -- Ioannis Voskopoulos (Psychologist) and Lamprini Ioannou (Psychologist, Family Therapist, Marte Meo Therapist)Artemisia states she is a modern-day feminist and she lives up to that throughout the book. Outspoken, straightforward, clever, witty and most importantly HONEST. Artemisia says it as it is and addresses topics that have been neglected or ignored in the past. The book is imaginative and engaging. I just love the 'Rules' section that she has added to each chapter, so much wisdom that could easily be applied to all single women, regardless of whether or not they are on the Spectrum. -- Maxine Aston, Couple Counsellor, Trainer and Author. Specialising in Asperger SyndromeIf you are living the single life and sex on the spectrum always has baffled you this is the book to grab. I couldn't put it down once I started. Artemisia is such a wise woman and I love her honesty and perseverance not to mention the 105 important rules. Read this book and learn from one of the best. This is truly a brilliant piece of work. -- Anne Skov Jensen, Founder/Coach A-Team Denmark, SpeakerTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. A Tale of Two Cities; 2. Her Big Fat Greek Weekend; 3. Asclepius; 4. La Dolce Vita (The Sex Date); 5. One Night Stands; 6. Leonardo; 7. Romero / Knock First; 8. The Price of Fame..or at least of Google; 9. Double Standards; 10. Aspie Sex in the City; 11. Arrivederci Roma; 12. It's all Greek to Her; 13. Scandal and Wisdom; 14. Getting Stood Up; 15. Romeos and Vampires; 16. Bridges and Hopes; 17. Creepers; 18. The Quickie; 19. Happiness; 20. Being Lonely; 21. Penises; 22. Good Girls, Bad Boys, Jealousy and Loyalty; 23. The Friend Zone; 24. Everything IS Bigger in Texas; 25. Aspie Anxiety and That Damn Glow; 26. Travel, Traditions and Transitions; 27. Contradictions and Choice; 28. The Married Muslim; 29. The Virtual Life; 30. The American Boy; 31. Bron; 32. Writer's Block; 33. Night of the Living Dead; 34. Lonely, Old, Aspie and Ugly; 35. Aspergirls; 36. Ego; 37. A Cherub in Firenze; 38. Due Uomini; 39. Condoms; 40. Michelangelo and Monda Lisa; 41. Pressing Charges; 42. June, not April in Paris; 43. Bitter Blood Moon; 44. The Marquis de Socks; 45. Persephone in Trastevere; 46. Me Too / The Male Brain; 47. Helmets; 48. The Big Bang; 49. The Beginning of the End; 50. The Scoundrel; 51. Blind Date Booty Call; 52. The Convenient Arrangement; 53. Daddy Issues; 54. Innocence Betrayed, then Lost; 55. Drowning, or Intimacy; 56. Towers; 57. "Grab em by the Penis"; 58. The Sexual Savant; 59. Falling Apart; 60. E for Elusion; 61. Final Thoughts; 62. Safe Sex is the Best Sex

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs seen on the BBC documentary, Inside Our Autistic Minds, with Chris PackhamIf every parent receiving a diagnosis of autism for their child could read this book, it would avoid so much misunderstanding and unhappiness. - Dr Clare LawrenceA diagnosis - or a suspected diagnosis - of autism in a child can be overwhelming for a parent, especially if you know nothing, or very little, about either of them.Dr Luke Beardon is a well-known expert in the field, and this book is an accessible, easy-to-read introduction for those encountering autism for the first time. Gently and honestly, it guides you through the issues you might encounter, busting the myths around autism, and explaining what the diagnosis means for your child, for you, and for your wider family. It looks at sensory profiles, helps you handle your child''s anxiety, tackles education, and answers a variety of frequently asked questions.Other topics covered by this sensitive and eTrade Review"This is a lovely book. Dr Beardon writes with humanity, sensitivity and understanding. Both beguilingly simple and profound, this book is readable and accessible yet asks - and answers - some unusual and complex questions. If more of us were to read it, it could quite simply enable a generation of autistic children to be happy with who they are." * Dr Clare Lawrence *This is the book I've been waiting for; it will now be on the top of our recommended reading list. It should be essential reading on any training course, and it is particularly helpful for anyone thinking about embarking on seeking, or having recently received, a diagnosis for themselves or their child. * Dr Linda Buchan *"This lovely book... is scholarly, accessible and respectful. Luke has years of valuable experience and is always thinking and learning about autism. His is a refreshing and honest voice in the field." * Professor Nicola Martin, London South Bank University *A timely and essential read for everyone who thinks that they or a family member may be autistic, and for everyone who has recently found out that they or a family member are autistic. It should also become essential reading for professionals working within the field. * Mark Isherwood AM, Welsh Conservative Assembly Member for North Wales Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government *educational, concise and truly accessible... a much-needed addition to the ASD-field. * Dr Josephine Storek *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'I realised I had been camouflaging my whole life - I'd been trying to mask my autistic traits and fit in with all the non-autistic people around me.'Growing up autistic can often feel as though you have to become a chameleon in social situations, camouflaging yourself to fit in with a seemingly neurotypical world. Combining lived experience with scientific research and practical advice, this book is the essential guide to understanding why you mask and how to feel confident without one.Focusing on diagnostic devices like the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) to discover the situations in which you mask the most and why, alongside a range of techniques, from CBT, compassion based therapy, DBT, and mindfulness to relieve anxiety and reduce stress, this guide gives you all the tools and confidence you need to re-connect with yourself, the things you love and finally, take off your mask.Trade ReviewAutistic authenticity is essential for self-acceptance and self-worth. Indeed, it is the key to living a life less riddled with mental health challenges that can completely cripple. In Taking off the Mask autistics will find a thoughtful and practical map they can use on their journey to living life fully and comfortably as their true self. And equally as important, non autistic audiences will be persuasively encouraged to change the way the world accepts and truly supports neurodiversity. -- Liane Holliday Willey, EdD author of Pretending to be Normal: Living with Asperger’s Syndrome and Safety Skills for Asperger Women: How to Save a Perfectly Good Female LifeIs 'masking' something you would like to do less of? Written by Hannah Belcher, autistic woman and respected academic, "Taking Off the Mask" is a practical, honest and compassionate guide that will help you discover who you are, what you like and not be afraid to show it. -- Dr Sarah Bargiela, Author of "Camouflage: The Hidden Lives of Autistic Women"Table of ContentsAcknowledgements; Disclaimer; Introduction; Foreword; Introduction; Chapter 1: Learning to Imitate; Chapter 2: The Drive to Camouflage; Chapter 3: Do You Camouflage?; Chapter 4: How to be Self-Compassionate; Chapter 5: Taking off the Mask; Chapter 6: A Guide for Parents, Educators, and Therapists; Chapter 7: Final Thoughts; References; Further Reading

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Waterstones Best Popular Science Book of 2024 Pick - from the bestselling author of BORN ON A BLUE DAY and THINKING IN NUMBERS'Bursting with feeling and possibility' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH'Nine Minds offers something that autistic people urgently need: it humanises us' KATHERINE MAY'Tammet's exquisite portraits remind us that the variety of brains is every bit as essential as any other form of diversity' ANDREW SOLOMON'A book as beautiful as the minds it portrays' AMY TANA Japanese researcher in psychology sets out to measure loneliness while drawing on her own experience of autism. A quirky boy growing up in 1950s Ottawa sows the seeds of his future Hollywood stardom. In the US, a non-verbal man explores body language, gesture by eloquent gesture, in his mother's yoga classes. Nine Minds delves into the extraordinary lives of nine neurodivergent men and women from around the globe. From a Fields Medal-winning mathematician to a murder detective, a pioneering surgeon to a bestselling nove

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat happens when you discover that you are autistic later in life? How do you move forward from that point? If you are feeling lost, this is the book for you. Featuring deeply personal stories from the authors and other autistic people in their thirties, forties, fifties and beyond, here you are supported to explore your autistic identity and establish how you too can have a ''hand-picked life'' that fits around your unique needs and requirements as an autistic individual.It''s time to be happier, healthier, less anxious - and a lot kinder to yourself.

Read more less

Book SynopsisYou''re the parent of an autistic child...except they''re not a child anymore. So, now what?As autistic children grow into teenagers, you will experience new challenges, both as a parent and as a family. Supporting the leap into adulthood can seem daunting, but here Carrie Cariello takes you through her journey with her son Jack, shining a light on how to help your young person prepare for different life stages and grow in independence. Carrie''s own experiences form the basis of her deeply empathetic advice - in this warm, astute and thoughtful book she offers a guiding and steadying hand so you can move through periods of change with increased confidence and calm.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDeveloped from the Ready, Eddie, Go! animated TV show, each book in this series highlights an area that autistic children find challenging and provides gentle and supportive strategies to help children find ways of coping, which all children can benefit from. The books use clear structure as well as visuals to help readers understand the story and identify strategies that may help when they face similar experiences.In this book, Eddie gets a new haircut. He finds out what to expect at the hairdressers and learns that getting his hair cut can be fun!Beautifully illustrated, and presented in Eddie''s trademark friendly voice, the Ready, Eddie, Go! series is designed to speak directly to young autistic children and to provide them with the reassurance and advice they need to be happy day-to-day.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIllustrated guide to autistic burnout, written for autistic teens. Explains in a supportive and engaging way what autistic burnout is, what causes it and how young people can recover.

Read more less

Book Synopsis*LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE FOR FICTION 2023**WINNER OF THE AUTHORS'' CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2024**SHORTLISTED FOR THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS ADCI LITERARY AWARD*''Delicate and strong... I loved it'' Maggie O''Farrell''''Darkly vivacious... mesmerising'' Guardian''Immaculate'' Financial Times''A triumph'' Daily TelegraphFor readers who loved Sorrow and Bliss or Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - an unforgettable story of a mother and daughter whose lives are upended when a charming new couple move in next door.Sunday Forrester lives with her sixteen-year-old daughter, Dolly, in the house she grew up in. She does things more carefully than most people. On quiet days, she must eat only white foods. Her etiquette handbook guides her through confusing social situations, and to escape, she turns to her treasury of Sicilian folklore. The one thing very much out of her control Trade ReviewA novel both delicate and strong, illuminating the disturbing and the extraordinary to be found in the every day. Sunday is a beguiling and beguiled narrator, and her story an examination of the disjunction between humans' private and public selves. I loved it -- Maggie O'FarrellLloyd Barlow makes her wary, vigilant, poetic voice the star in a mesmerising debut * Guardian *Lloyd-Barlow's prose sings... a beautiful, bittersweet debut * Daily Telegraph *What a glorious, unforgettable character Vita is. And I loved Sunday's voice too, so unique, right from the off. It showed me things about autism that will stay with me. A genuinely valuable book, but more importantly I enjoyed being inside its world -- Melissa Harrison, author of All Among the BarleyA memorably authentic, at times painfully affecting, portrait of a singular woman navigating life's challenges and still finding her way to happiness on her own terms * Daily Mail *Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow's is a distinct and poetic new voice. This novel about the complex desires behind our closest relationships is undercut with the darkness of Sicilian folklore: the fisherman who promises away his child; the lover who is a wolf; a caged magpie; burning fields -- Clare Pollard, poet and author of DelphiFunny, lyrical, deft and devastating. Full of longing and love -- Amy Sackville, author of Painter to the KingAt once sharply perceptive and lyrically written, All The Little Bird-Hearts is an emotional and though-provoking exploration of autism * CultureFly *Moving, funny and lyrical * iPaper *Expect to be moved * Sainsburys Magazine *Scintillating... a tense and subtly nuanced look at an intense friendship between two women -- Elizabeth Morris * Crib Notes *A mesmerising story, impeccably written: I couldn't put it down -- Anstey Harris, author of WHEN I FIRST HELD YOUIf you would like your heart smashed into tiny pieces in the most beautiful way possible, then here you go -- Jen Campbell

Read more less

Book SynopsisPersonal Hygiene? What's that Got to Do with Me? is a curriculum developed for students with autism, Asperger's Syndrome, learning and developmental disabilities, designed to help them understand how others perceive their appearance and the social implications of neglecting personal hygiene. Simple factual information is accompanied by humorous cartoons that emphasize how others view someone with poor hygiene. Step-by-step cartoons explain exactly what the student needs to do to ensure good hygiene. Quizzes and activity pages provide numerous opportunities for repetition and reinforcement of the key points. There are also hands-on activities to demonstrate why and how to perform various hygiene tasks. Several social stories are also provided, along with a set of worksheets that help students set up a daily schedule to allow time for completing necessary hygiene tasks.Trade ReviewThis small paperback book is really an excellent tool, not just with people on the spectrum, but with school-aged children in general. The points are clear, simple and comprehensive. The illustrations are priceless. The suggestions for demonstrations of hygiene topics are excellent. -- The MAAPPersonal Hygiene? What's that Got to Do with Me? can be used by educators, therapists and parents. This interactive curriculum involves the child and makes the concept of personal hygiene understandable and meaningful. The book teaches essential hygiene skills and creates habits and routines for a lifetime of good health. -- Autism Awareness Centre Inc.Table of ContentsIntroduction: What is Personal Hygiene? 1. Looking Clean, Smelling Clean. 2. Changing Bad Hair Days into Good Hair Days. 3. Clean Teeth, Great Smiles. 4. Taming Dragon Breath. 5. Having a hand People Want to Shake. 6. There's Hair Everywhere! 7. Putting Your Best Foot Forward. 8. Face Up to Teenage Skin.9. Good Bathroom Hygiene. Supplementary Material: Final Quiz, Activity Pages1-10, See For Yourself Activities, Personal Stories, Personal Hygiene Worksheets and Checklist, Having a Plan.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn expert-led guide that helps you unpack all the unseen elements that accompany a late diagnosis - from co-occurring conditions such as autism, anxiety or depression, to other life factors such as family, culture and upbringing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this wide-ranging and probing book Erin Manning extends her previous inquiries into the politics of movement to the concept of the minor gesture. The minor gesture, although it may pass almost unperceived, transforms the field of relations. More than a chance variation, less than a volition, it requires rethinking common assumptions about human agency and political action. To embrace the minor gesture''s power to fashion relations, its capacity to open new modes of experience and manners of expression, is to challenge the ways in which the neurotypical image of the human devalues alternative ways of being moved by and moving through the world—in particular what Manning terms 'autistic perception.' Drawing on Deleuze and Guattari''s schizoanalysis and Whitehead''s speculative pragmatism, Manning''s far-reaching analyses range from fashion to depression to the writings of autistics, in each case affirming the neurodiversity of the minor and the alternative politics it gestuTrade Review"Manning emphasizes a kind of affect that brings to the fore a feeling of being a part of a larger environment, something relational, something that helps people to see themselves as part of something bigger." -- Karen Simecek * Year's Work in Critical and Cultural Theory *"The Minor Gesture is a fascinating and intellectually challenging book that successfully problematises common-sense (neurotypical) understandings of perception, action and embodiment. In doing so it politicises mundane everyday experience and calls for sustained critique of normatively framed lifeworlds." -- Ben Simmons * Disability & Society *"A wide-ranging and carefully argued book. . . . Now that we know just how much mental activity escapes our conscious awareness and defies standard and dialectical accounts of knowledge, reason, and agency, efforts like Manning’s to better understand neurodiversity and to mobilize that understanding for research-creation and political activism alike are invaluable." -- Eugene W. Holland * Contemporary Political Theory *Table of ContentsPreface ix Introduction: In a Minor Key 1 1. Against Method 26 2. Artfulness: Emergent Collectives and Processes of Individuation 46 3. Weather Patterns, or How Minor Gestures Entertain the Environment 64 4. Dress Becomes Body: Fashioning the Force of Form 86 5. Choreographing the Political 111 6. Carrying the Feeling 131 7. In the Act: The Shape of Precarity 165 8. What a Body Can Do: A Conversation with Arno Boehler 189 Postscript: Affirmation without Credit 201 Notes 233 References 261 Index 269

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisEmpowering and practical, this guide is the perfect companion for parents who are finding it difficult to tell their children about their autism diagnosis. It provides a realistic yet uplifting approach to autism, treating it not as a disability but as a difference.Not telling children about their autism diagnosis can have a significant negative impact on their mental health; by equipping parents with a language of positivity around autism, the book will make a difference to many children on the spectrum. It advises on how and when to talk to autistic children with both high and low care needs, and provides guidance on supporting children's relationships with peers at school, as well as how to broach the conversation with the child's siblings.Concise and easy to read, The Little Book of Autism FAQs answers parents' questions with accessible language, preparing them to approach this difficult conversation in a constructive manner.Trade ReviewDavida Hartman gives parents an honest, nuanced and above all empowering and heart-warming answer to perhaps the most pertinent question they have: Do we tell our child that he/she has autism? -- Peter Vermeulen, Autism in Context, BelgiumThe more I read on, the more there was to love. Hartman covers difficult questions in a compassionate yet straightforward manner, offering clear and positive guidance to parents who may be wondering how on Earth to talk to their children about their diagnosis - all the while discussing autism and neurodiversity in a respectful and encouraging way. -- Chris Bonnello, author of AutisticNotWeird.comTable of Contents1. What's Autism Anyway? 2. Do I Really Need to Tell Them they have Autism? 3. Won't Telling them Just make them feel Different? 4. How do I actually go about Telling My Child that they have Autism? 5. What about Telling Other People?

Read more less

Book SynopsisAutism manifests in an incredible diversity of characteristics, including but by no means limited to communication issues, repetitive behaviour, and lack of eye contact. In this important book, two experienced physicians go behind the diagnostic labels and the consultation room to a holistic approach for autism.For each unique child, they ask how behaviour differs in different places or with different people, and why; they explore the influences of different types of food; and they ask what sensory needs lie behind particular behaviour. Their approach encompasses not only medical but, primarily, social, pedagogical and environmental considerations, and its from this starting point that they endeavour to build a community of support for a child. This approach challenges family members and professional caregivers to step out of their silos and work together in dynamic, therapeutic communities. Autism: Meet Me Who I Am tells the story of this journey of co-working, drawing inspiration from the children themselves.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book presents ground-breaking ideas based on current research on how stigma can cause bodily felt trauma in stigmatised or marginalised people, particularly those on the autism spectrum. Gordon Gates draws on his academic research, professional knowledge as a counsellor, and lived experience with Asperger's syndrome to provide a unique framework for combating the psychological and emotional impact of stigma.Explaining how to develop resilience and essential coping mechanisms to manage distress and improve mental health, this book casts new light on the significance of stigma in mental health, and marks a new way forward for anyone who has been made to feel like an "outsider".Trade ReviewThis book presents a unique perspective of being autistic. -- Stephen W. Porges, PhD, Distinguished University Scientist, Kinsey Institute, Indiana University Bloomington, USAGates has written a notedly personal, compelling and insightful book. A must read for those wanting to further expand their knowledge of trauma, stigma and autism. -- Matthew F. Myatt, CCFP, MD, MPH, Chief of Emergency Department, Stevenson Memorial Hospital

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis updated edition of Maxine Aston's workbook is packed full of insightful, helpful and easily accessible activities for couples where one or both partners is on the autism spectrum to understand and accept their differences. This book expands on topics including verbal and non-verbal communication, sexual issues, socialising and parenting, with case studies from couples who have successfully worked through their issues. This edition is fully updated for the DSM-V and features new research into alexithymia, further insights into couples counselling, digital communication and sensory sensitivity, with new worksheets and opportunities for collaboration and reflection. Combining advice, guidance and activities, this book can be used independently by a couple at home or in conjunction with a therapist, encouraging communication and empathy to help make a neurodiverse relationship successful.Trade ReviewEvery day I hear from either the ASD or non-ASD partner asking me what to do and what strategies to apply in their relationships. Chock-full of practical tips and perceptive illustrations, Maxine's book has long been a go-to resource for me as a clinician and a trusted companion to so many couples around the world and this updated edition is even better! -- Eva A. Mendes, author of Marriage and Lasting Relationships with Asperger’s Syndrome for The New Autistic Couple's WorkbookFull of practical advice and insights this book will undoubtedly be of help to couples negotiating the unique challenges when one partner is on the autism spectrum. -- Joanna Pike, founder of Different Together and author of Neurodiverse RelationshipsTable of Contents1. Understanding Difference 2. Communication 3. Expressing Feelings and Alexithymia 4. Non-Verbal Communication 5. Meltdowns 6. Social Interaction 7. Sensory Sensitivity 8. Sexual Issues9. Parenting 10. Home Life 11. The Four Stumbling Blocks in AS/NT Relationships12. Couple Therapy 13. Diagnosis 14. Who to Tell about Asperger? 15. What is Cassandra? 16. Maintaining the Relationship Together 17. Difference Can Work

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe relationship between autism and PTSD has historically been neglected in research and understanding but impacts the lives of many. Autistic people are intrinsically vulnerable to traumatic social situations and relationships, which can later manifest as PTSD. Navigating situations where one feels entirely at odds can lead seemingly commonplace events to be processed as traumatic experiences. In this unique collaboration, Lisa Morgan and Mary Donahue explore PTSD in autistic adults as patient and practitioner. Lisa shares her personal experiences as an autistic adult, reflecting on emotionally traumatic events and their effect on her daily life. Mary examines the challenges surrounding diagnosis, reworking and developing communication and clarifying the symptoms of PTSD within the autistic population.Combining lived experience with professional expertise, this clear and accessible guide will provide a better understanding of autism and PTSD, providing support and direction to autistic adults processing trauma and those involved in their care.Trade ReviewDual diagnosis of autism with trauma is under-researched, widely misunderstood, and yet a common presentation in clinics around the world. Lisa and Mary's book, being based on current research, lived experience and a successful therapeutic relationship, fills a large gap in the literature. I highly recommend this book to anyone in the autism field, including autistic individuals who have experienced trauma, and their loved ones. -- Dr Michelle Garnett - Clinical Psychologist and Autism ConsultantTable of Contents1. History of ASD/PTSD2. Living with an ASD3. Living with PTSD4. ASD meets PTSD5. Research 6. Types of Lived Trauma over Time 7. Exploitative Relationships 8. Challenges in Recognising Interpersonal Abuse in ASD9. First Responders and Other Professionals10. Finding a Helpful Therapeutic Approach

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis essential guide for working with PDA pupils outlines effective and practical ways that teachers and school staff can support these pupils, by endorsing a child-led approach to learning and assessment.Beginning with an introduction to PDA and how it can affect the education experience, it is then followed by thoughtful, useful strategies school staff can implement to build a collaborative relationship with pupils and help them to thrive in the school environment. The activities presented aim to make children more comfortable and at ease, and therefore better able to learn. It covers key issues for children with PDA, such as sensory issues, preferred language and phrasing of demands, social skills, and recognising distressed behaviour. The chapter summaries and simple activities listed throughout make this a useful tool for busy teaching staff working with PDA pupils.Trade ReviewClare's book is a wonderful contribution to the literature on PDA for education professionals, a really practical and useful book. This will refill teachers' tool boxes and provide a true compass to guide their teaching, helping this fascinating bunch of pupils achieve their educational potential. -- Dr Glòria Durà-Vilà, NHS and Private Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, author of Me and My PDA: A Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance for Young People, My Autism Book and The Amazing Autistic BrainWhat a clear, positive and creative book! Clare provides a great balance of understanding theory as well as practice with an honest approach to some of the everyday issues facing education practitioners. It offers practical ideas to support engagement and to maximise learning opportunities. -- Ruth Fidler, Education Consultant (supporting complex presentations of autism and wellbeing), Autism AssociatesTable of ContentsAcknowledgements; Preface; 1. PDA - What Do We Know So Far?; 2. Prioritising Demands; 3. Presenting Demands; 4. Designing and Implementing a Child-Led Curriculum; 5. Invitations to Learn; 6. Teaching Social Skills; 7. Adapting Traditional Autism Strategies; 8. Managing Distressed Behaviour; 9. Hidden Forms of Distressed Behaviour; 10. Managing the Needs of the PDA Student in a Class of Thirty; 11. Eating, Drinking, Washing; 12. Paperwork; 13. What I Learned From Spectrum Space; Afterword; Further Support and Further Reading

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Secret Life of Rose covers a range of topics that are central to the autistic experience. While Rose writes peer-to-peer, her mum Jodie adds the perspective of an adult who is also a professional in the field. The end result is a book that opens up the autistic experience in a way that is both fresh and accessible.This is an updated and expanded edition based on a successfully self-published version, offering new content on burnout, shutdown and monotropism.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMental health crisis in autistic children and young people is on the rise and with very little understanding or support available. This guide offers the insight gained from both lived experience and professional study to fully recognise, understand, prevent and support recovery of autistic burnout.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe award-winning, quirky cli-fi adventure mystery for readers 10 years and up. If Nema can't uncover a lost boy's true identity in time they may never escape the sticky world he designed... When Nema and her friends discover a hidden sugar-hooked society holding lost kids, they find their perfect world in danger. The strange, sticky place hides the truth about Nema's missing brother, and a plot to destroy the free life she knows. But only they can reverse a code to prevent a rock candy robot invasion and rescue the captives. Fail and they might never make it back home.Trade Review'Lively, imaginative...emotionally very astute.' PATIENCE AGBABI - Author - The Infinite----------------------------'Quite simply magical. This book will change lives.' LIZ WRIGHT - ABC NEWS / Paralympic medalist----------------------------'Fun and quirky with a great cast of very different characters.' THE WEEK JUNIOR----------------------------'A weird and wonderful adventure with pleasingly diverse range of autistic characters.' YOUR AUTISM MAGAZINE - National Autistic Society----------------------------'A spunky and exuberant celebration of neurodivergent creativity and community, delivering cautionary messages that could not be more timely.' STEVE SILBERMAN, Author - NeuroTribes----------------------------'Fantastic! The audiobook is wonderfully played out. 'LYRIC HOLMANS - NeurodivergentRebel----------------------------'Moojag is a fun science fiction tale that has a serious message about people who are different. It will really make you think.' TEMPLE GRANDIN - Author - Animals in Translation----------------------------'This very important, thought-provoking, futuristic own-voice novel deals with many issues that don't get dealt with in fiction enough.' THE ARTSY READER----------------------------'What Alice in Wonderland might have looked like if Carroll did some soul-searching and knew about autism in 1865.' James Sinclair - AUTISTIC AND UNAPOLOGETIC----------------------------'This refreshing narrative perfectly frames the message that neurodiversity should not just be accommodated - it should be celebrated.' Beatrix Livesey-Stephens - ARTIFICIAL WOMB ZINE

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis series of reflective accounts explores the benefits that Buddhist practice can bring for autistic individuals, and outlines how Dharma teachers, centre directors and meditation group leaders can help ensure sessions are truly autism sensitive.Including a wide range of international contributors discussing aspects of their autistic experience and the impact of Buddhism on their lives, this is a thought-provoking and often moving portrayal of the intersect between the lived experience of autistic people and spiritual practice. The deeply personal accounts of the positive impact Buddhist practices have had on relationships, social interactions, sensory overload, mental health and wellbeing, provide an opportunity to find out more about both Buddhism and the support that it can offer to the autistic community through, for example, personal practice, parenting and special educational provision.Trade ReviewEvery so often, among the myriad books produced each year on mindfulness, Buddhism, and spirituality in general, you encounter one that stands out as genuinely original... Chris Jarrell has produced a priceless resource for anyone trying to understand the deep connections between identity, cognitive modes, and the way the mind can be re-channelled to move us away from habitual suffering towards freedom -- Candradasa, author of Buddhism for TeensBeing Autistic in a neurotypical world can be filled with challenge. Autism and Buddhist Practice shares the journeys of people who have found a liberating path in the teachings of the Buddha and meditation practices. The stories speak for themselves and you will find a poignancy and honesty in them that will inspire you -- Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real ChangeThis wonderful collection of experiences written by autistic people sheds light on neurodivergence with inspiring stories of how Buddhist practice and understanding has directly helped those contributing. Anyone wanting to better understand this condition, and the experience of people with Autism accessing Buddhist communities, teaching and practice will find this a fascinating and moving read. Miso soup for the soul!" -- Devin Ashwood, Director of the Gaia House Buddhist retreat centre and father to autistic children.Table of Contents1. Louise Woodford: How an encounter with a Buddhist monk started my journey to wellbeing2. Jessica Woodford: 'Being Peace': Buddhism Through the Eyes of an 11-year-old Autistic Girl3. Danielle Hall: Calm in the Eye of The Storm: How Buddhism helps with relationships, social interactions, and sensory overload4. Pete Grella: True Freedom: What Buddhism teaches us about difference and acceptance5. Sian Atkins: Dharma d'au: Buddhism, autism, and the path to balance 6. Chris Jarrell: The Triple Jewel: How Buddhism helps me manage anxiety in everyday life 7. Dr Pernille Damore: The practical application of the dharma in everyday life 8. Ish Tannahill: Loving-Kindness: How meditating helps me feel better about myself9. Dr Lian Beijers: The Five Mindfulness Trainings and how they help me to be authentically autistic10. Lucy Liu: Buddhism and Parenting: How mindfulness of the breath helps me listen to my autistic daughter11. Dena Rashkover: My classroom is my sangha: Compassion and loving kindness in special needs education 12. Jane Garrett (Prajnanandi): Joining a Sangha: Finding a way to friendship 13. Eleanor Lloyd (Dhiraprabha): The Challenges of Engaging with Sangha: How sanghas can develop more inclusive practice 14. Barry Taylor: Unsocially Social: The benefits of practising online for autistic people15. Joy Tober: Community and Wellbeing: Everyday life in a Zen Buddhist temple16. Chris Jarrell: Reflections

Read more less

Book Synopsis'There isn't a secret manual outlining exactly how to get through your teens and young adulthood as an autistic individual, but this book provides a script for how to do what adulthood will make you do anyway, in a way that is most accessible for you".You've just received an autism diagnosis, so why do you still feel so lost when it comes to what autism actually means for you?Written by autistic advocate Sarah O'Brien, this book gives a much-needed introduction into what autism is and removes the myths, stereotypes and stigma that surround it. Sarah provides insights into what to do after diagnosis and how to approach and navigate the process of informing those in your life, from your family and friends to your teachers or manager at work. Utilising her own experience of feeling lost after diagnosis and navigating all of the 'firsts' of adolescence and young adulthood Sarah provides an honest and friendly voice to guide you through it all.Intelligent and clearly-written, this is the fact-led and information-rich resource that will answer your questions about autism, introduce you to your new community and set you up to thrive as an autistic adult.Trade ReviewAn invaluable guide for the newly diagnosed or the curious. Using a strengths-led, evidence-informed approach, Sarah provides a clear roadmap for navigating autistic life. -- Dr Pooky Knightsmith, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Expert.Sarah O'Brien has written the book I desperately needed when I was diagnosed, answering every question I had as a teenager in accessible language and in her comforting tone. I think anybody looking for an autism-affirming starter guide to the world as an autistic person would benefit from picking up this book and O'Brien's abundant lived experience. -- Charli Clement, autistic activist and writerTable of ContentsPART I: Understanding Autism What does autistic mean?? Myths and stereotypes about autism? Strengths, differences and challenges that autistic people can have.? Do I need to tell people I'm autistic? PART II: Thriving While Autistic Mental Health and the effect of friends, the environment and importance of supportAutism and physical (ill) healthTransitions, change and strategies for dealing with them? Friendships and relationships while autisticHome lifeSociety? Support at school, college and university Moving on to employment PART III: Finding Out MoreConclusions and further resourcesThings to listen toThings to readGlossaryReferences

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Neurodiversity has helped me understand myself and provided a sense of relief that I'm a whole neurodivergent person functioning as my brain intends.""It's provided me with the language to advocate for myself.""I no longer hated myself. I no longer felt broken. I found a sense of community. A sense of belonging"This affirming and thoughtful guide outlines how and why we need to fundamentally shift our thinking about neurodivergent people. We need to accept differences rather than framing them as a problem, abnormality or disorder. Welcome to the neurodiversity paradigm.At times challenging and radical, Sonny Jane Wise explores the intersections of neurodivergence with disability, gender, sexuality and race. Through interviews, narratives, and the lens of their own raw experiences, they consider how current systems and structures that impact neurodivergent people are rooted in outdated capitalist and racist frameworks, and how these need to change and adapt to be neurodiversity affirming. Sonny Jane's words are a rallying cry to challenge the pathology paradigm. They offer nine principles for facilitating change, reflected in deeply personal stories from the neurodivergent community.Powerful and persuasive, this book is a clarion call for a kinder and more neurodiversity affirming society.Trade ReviewSonny has been such a huge part of my personal education around neurodivergence, and We're All Neurodiverse is an incredible addition to that. It's given me so much to think about (both personally and professionally), and is such a necessary book for both neurodivergent people and neurotypical allies to read. -- Ellie Middleton, Autistic ADHDer, content creator, speaker and writerSonny Jane's book is empowering and affirming, including personal experience, guidance and information on neurodiversity. The book addresses the 'pathology paradigm' around neurodivergence. It is an excellent addition to the literature on neurodiversity. Highly recommended. -- Yenn Purkis, Autistic and non-binary author and advocateThis is an utterly ground breaking read that anyone who is neurodivergent or interested in neurodiversity should be reading. Sonny Jane Wise has managed to explain so many difficult and often contentious concepts in an accessible manner, alongside giving incredible advice for neurodivergent people and allies alike. -- Charli Clement, neurodivergent activist & author

Read more less

Book SynopsisChildren with autism often have an intense natural musicality. This book explains how music and language 'work' as systems of communication, and why music holds such a fascination for many young people on the autism spectrum. There are strategies for showing how music can be used to support language development and even substitute for verbal communication. Exploring the progression from a young child's intuitive engagement with music, to using it as a scaffold for communication, socialisation and understanding, the book illustrates, through the use of detailed case studies, how music nurtures a sense of self and provides a positive outlet to express inner thoughts and feelings without resorting to challenging or even destructive behaviours.Presenting an innovative approach to the use of music with people on the autism spectrum, this book will be a fascinating resource for speech and language therapists, music therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, teaching assistants, educational psychologists, carers and parents of people with autism.Trade ReviewThere is much that is fascinating in this book. Its message, that not all autistic children are visual learners and music should play a much greater role in their education, is important. -- Royal College of Speech & Language TherapistsThere are some fascinating insights into the use of music to develop a dialogue with pupils with severe impairments and to enable them to use music as an alternative to verbal communication... This is an interesting book which would appeal to those who have an interest in linguistics and music and who would like to understand better why some young people on the autistic spectrum are so fascinated by music. -- KidsCanSucceed - SEN MagazineWhat you will read in this book will awaken you again to sound. Adam Ockelford is a truly gifted teacher, and as a reader we can appreciate that talent as he guides us into the heart of music, with simple explanations of aspects that those without musical training may have assumed were closed to us. This is essential because, as Adam makes clear, music is a space where people with autism spectrum conditions and neurotypicals can truly meet. -- from the foreword by Francesca Happé, Director, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College LondonAdam Ockelford is no ordinary music teacher. He is as accomplished in the field of linguistics as he is in music, and has analysed both language and music to identify their common deep structures. Few people could claim expertise in both domains. Even more unique, he has used his insights into how we respond to hearing words and musical notes to support the teaching of children and adults with autism. It was a privilege to hear Adam's blind savant pupil with autism Derek Paravicini playing a piano duet with Boogie Woogie king Jools Holland in Cambridge. Derek's talent is in part his own and in part the product of the special relationship with his lifelong piano teacher Adam. But this remarkable book also reveals the highly original theory that Adam has developed that informs his novel teaching methods. -- Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, Autism Research Centre, Cambridge UniversityTable of ContentsForeword by Francesca Happé. Introduction. 1. Reflections on Autism. 2. The Challenge of Language. 3. Making Sense of Music. 4. How Musicality Develops. 5. Music, Language and Communication. 6. Exceptional Early Cognitive Environments (EECEs). 7. Teaching the '1 in 20.' Conclusion. Bibliography. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis complete guide to LEGO® Therapy contains everything you need to know in order to set up and run a LEGO® Club for children with autism spectrum disorders or related social communication difficulties and anxiety conditions.By providing a joint interest and goal, LEGO® building can become a medium for social development such as sharing, turn-taking, making eye-contact, and following social rules. This book outlines the theory and research base of the approach and gives advice on all practical considerations including space, the physical layout of the room and choosing and maintaining materials, as well as strategies for managing behaviour, further skill development, and how to assess progress.Written by the pioneer of the approach alongside those who helped form it through their research and evaluation, this evidence-based manual is essential reading for professionals working with autism who are interested in running a LEGO® Club or learning more about the therapy.Trade ReviewThe best kind of therapy is when it's so much fun that the child doesn't know it's happening. LEGO®-Based Therapy fits that bill. The authors have left no stone unturned in developing a systematic social intervention. They provide a comprehensive, step-by-step program with documented improvements in social competence. -- Lynn Koegel, PhD, Clinical Director, Koegel Autism Center, University of California, Santa Barbara, CAEveryone loves LEGO® - including children on the autism spectrum. But did you know that through playing with LEGO® in a social setting you can draw out autistic children's hidden ability to cooperate with others? Here is a practical guide to making players come together and create together by the sheer magic of LEGO®. -- Professor Uta Frith, Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Development, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College LondonA marvellous book that focuses on using a frequent interest as a way of access. It will be of interest to parents and educators alike. -- Fred R. Volkmar, MD, Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychology, and Director, Yale University Child Study Center, New Haven, CTLEGO® pieces can be used to construct models, but can also be used to construct social skills. LEGO®-based Clubs will become increasingly popular with children who have an Autism Spectrum Condition as an enjoyable social activity that is actually therapeutic. -- Tony Attwood, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Minds & Hearts Clinic, Australia, and author of The Complete Guide to Asperger's SyndromeThe book on LEGO-Based Therapy defines a particular therapeutic approach. It is a 'social development programme' according to its authors, and its aim is to provide a social development intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs). It is a 'collaborative therapy in which children work together to build LEGO models'... LEGO-Based Therapy teaches turn taking, sharing, making eye contact when needed and social rules adherence (using greetings)...Children are encouraged to swap roles and tasks and engage in intelligent conflict resolution and social problem solving with very little adult intervention. -- Action for AspergersIt goes on to give guidance on how to set up a group, the day to day running and resources, how to assess pupils suitability, assessing progress as well as the environment. The book contains templates to use to support your LEGO® groups as well as great tips... I found the book incredibly useful and more accessible than the LEGO® therapy manual. As county trainer it is a book I regularly recommend to all the schools I support in setting up LEGO® based interventions as their go to guide. -- Nicki Jennings, County Trainer * SEBDA (Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties) *This book is primarily a manual for thosewishing to set up a LEGO-based club withcomprehensive information and resources foreach step. It also details research regardingLEGO building as a useful medium for socialdevelopment... This book also makes interesting reading foranyone concerned with building socialcompetence in children with autism and relatedconditions since it clearly demonstrates, boththrough research and anecdotal accounts, waysin which this can be achieved... -- Gemma Roxanne West, Student Play Therapist * BAPT - Play Therapy *LEGO®-Based Therapy is a social development intervention for children with autism. It has been specifically designed to focus on these children's strengths in a social context and to make learning fun. This well-researched book is for professionals working with children on the autism spectrum or any child who needs to improve their social communication skills... The basic idea is that children work together in a group to put lego sets together. This encourages skill such as social communication, social support, social problem solving and conflict resolution skills... The authors have outlined effective strategies to do this, and highlighted some ineffective ones to avoid. -- Sarah Combe, teacher and Senco * Special Children *This is the long awaited manual, which clearly outlines the delivery and rationale for the use of LEGO®-Based Therapy to support pupils with autism spectrum disorders or related conditions in developing their social interaction skills. written by the pioneer of the approach, Dr. Daniel B LeGoff... the authors ... offer advice on the selection and storage of materials..., positive behaviour management... the book will prove to be an invaluable guide to practitioners, ranging from child, clinical and educational psychologists to teachers, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists who wish to set up their own LEGO®-Based Therapy. -- Miranda Andras, specialist teacher for children with autism spectrum conditions * GAP - Good Autism Practice *Table of Contents1. Introduction. 1.1. The Development of LEGO® Therapy. 1.2. Group Therapy: The LEGO® Club. 2. Implementing LEGO® Therapy. 2.1. General Principles. 2.1.1. What is LEGO® Therapy? 2.1.2. Who is LEGO® Therapy for? 2.1.3. What qualifications do you need to run LEGO® Therapy groups? 2.1.4. The main principles of LEGO® Therapy. 3. LEGO® therapy levels of intervention. 3.1. Level One – Individual Therapy. 3.1.1. Pivotal Skills. 3.1.2. Therapeutic Activities for Building Pivotal Skills. 3.1.3. Building Skills. 3.2. Level Two – Collaborative Building with One Peer. 3.2.1. Collaborative Set Building. 3.2.2. Collaborative Freestyle. 3.3. Level Three – Collaborative Building with Two Peers. 3.3.1. Set Building. 3.3.2. Freestyle Building. 3.4. Level Four – Social Communication. 3.4.1. Individual Therapy. 3.4.2. 'Check-in'. 4. Structure of a LEGO® Therapy Group Session. 4.1. Initial greeting. 4.2. Group review and discussion. 4.3. Role and task assignment. 4.4. Group-based semi-structured activities. 4.5. Less structured, creative time. 4.6. Clean-up time. 4.7. Farewell and parent review. 4.8. Planning and evaluating the sessions. 5. Effective and Ineffective Procedures in LEGO® Therapy. 6. Behavior Management and Rewards. 6.1. LEGO® Club Rules. 6.2. LEGO® Points. 6.3. Use of Time-Out. 6.4. “Rules of Cool”. 6.5. The LEGO® Club Level System. 6.6. LEGO® Levels. 6.6.1. LEGO Helper. 6.6.2. LEGO Builder. 6.6.3. LEGO Creator. 6.6.4. LEGO Master. 6.6.5. LEGO Genius. 7. Setting up your own LEGO® therapy groups. 7.1. The Permanent LEGO® Room. 7.1.1. Physical Layout. 7.1.2. Establishing the Structure. 7.2. Temporary Set-Up. 7.3. Portable Materials. 8. Specific Materials and Arrangements. 8.1. Choosing Materials: sets with instructions. 8.2. Choosing Materials: freestyle LEGO®. 8.3. Maintaining Materials. 9. Assessment Procedures. 9.1. Initial Assessment. 9.1.1. Initial Interview. 9.1.1.1. Building a small set. 9.1.1.2. Free-style building. 9.2. Initial Observation in Natural Setting.9.3. Follow-Up Assessments. 9.4. Termination/Graduation. 10. Conclusion. References. Appendix A. LEGO® Therapy Intake Assessment. Appendix B. Structured Observation. Appendix C. Lego Therapy Log and Session Plan and Evaluation.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn urgent and impassioned memoir by the winner of the Spectrum Art Prize 2018, presenting the rarely shown point of view of someone living with autism.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisBeing diagnosed with autism as an adult can be disorienting and isolating; however, if you can understand the condition and how it affects perceptions, relationships, and your relationship with the world in general, a happy and successful life is attainable. Through an introduction to the autism spectrum, and how the Level 1 diagnosis is characterised, the author draws on personal experiences to provide positive advice on dealing with life, health, and relationships following an adult diagnosis. The effect of autism on social skills is described with tips for dealing with family and personal relationships, parenting, living arrangements, and employment. Important topics include disclosure, available resources, and options for different therapeutic routes. On reading this book, you will learn a lot more about the autism spectrum at Level 1, be able to separate the facts from the myths, and gain an appreciation of the strengths of autism, and how autism can affect many aspects of everyday life. Drawing from the author's lived experience, this book is an essential guide for all newly diagnosed adults on the autism spectrum, their families and friends, and all professionals new to working with adults with ASDs.Trade ReviewAs intended, this book gives a good first-hand account about life before and after diagnosis. This would be useful to people with autism, parents, partners, friends and employers. Positive, funny and insightful; it is a reminder that living with autism takes courage, hard work, encouragement and understanding from those with a diagnosis and society in general. -- Karen Wilmshurst, Advocacy Services Manager, Autism WessexAs a support worker for people on the autism spectrum, I found this book a very helpful guide. It has helped me to be much more aware of the things people with Asperger's can struggle with. I can highly recommend it to anyone who knows somebody with Asperger's as well as to people on the spectrum who just received their diagnosis. -- Karin Meineke, Support Worker, Autism WessexTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Introduction. PART ONE: Autism, The Basics. 1. What is Autism? 2. How do I tell people about my diagnosis? 3. What help is available for adults with Autism? PART TWO: Autism in Everyday Life. 4. General Advice and Tips. 5. At Home with Autism. 6. Autism in the Workplace. 7. Social and Romantic Relationships. 8. The Parent with Autism. Final Thoughts.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less