This book presents a unique exploration of common myths about autism by examining these myths through the perspectives of autistic individuals. Examining the history of attitudes and beliefs about autism and autistic people, this book highlights the ways that these beliefs are continuing to impact autistic individuals and their families, and offers insights as to how viewing these myths from an autistic perspective can facilitate the transformation of these myths into a more positive direction. From 'savant syndrome' to the conception that people with autism lack empathy, each chapter examines a different social myth - tracing its origins, highlighting the implications it has had for autistic individuals and their families, debunking misconceptions and reconstructing the myth with recommendations for current and future practice. By offering an alternative view of autistic individuals as competent and capable of constructing their own futures, this book offers researchers, practitioners, individuals and families a deeper, more accurate, more comprehensive understanding of prevalent views about the abilities of autistic individuals as well as practical ways to re-shape these into more proactive and supportive practices.

This book is essential for anyone interested in learning about the therapeutic potential of orthodox and state-of-the-art supports for autistics. Using research evidence, supports are rated using a Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Tin category system. 'Gold' is extremely promising and use with confidence, whereas 'Tin' is extremely unsafe and potentially life threatening. This book, however, is more complex than just presenting literature reviews about supports for autistics and then rating the efficacy of the support. In addition to this, the insights and experiences of autistics about the autism supports examined are presented. Such testimonials provide an insider perspective from those who ultimately stand to benefit or suffer after receiving a support - namely autistics themselves.

Filled with strategies and advice, this empowering guide presents practical ways to improve the mental wellbeing of people on the Autism Spectrum. This helpful guide focusses on the specific difficulties that can arise for people on the autism spectrum who may also experience a mental illness. The book includes information on common mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, as well as strategies for improving sleep patterns and mindfulness. Providing guidance on the benefits and drawbacks of therapy pets, medication, and psychotherapy, the authors offer balanced perspectives on treatment options and introduce self-help strategies tailored to meet your needs and improve your mental wellbeing. A number of short personal narratives from people on the autism spectrum and mental health issues illustrate the text. The book also includes a list of resources, books and organisations that can provide further support and inspiration.

This book is essential for anyone interested in learning about the therapeutic potential of orthodox and state-of-the-art supports for autistics. Using research evidence, supports are rated using a Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Tin category system. 'Gold' is extremely promising and use with confidence, whereas 'Tin' is extremely unsafe and potentially life threatening. This book, however, is more complex than just presenting literature reviews about supports for autistics and then rating the efficacy of the support. In addition to this, the insights and experiences of autistics about the autism supports examined are presented. Such testimonials provide an insider perspective from those who ultimately stand to benefit or suffer after receiving a support - namely autistics themselves.

When confronted with the large amount of research about the autism spectrum one can be forgiven for believing that every conceivable aspect has been studied. However, despite the abundance of research, there still remains several autism topics that are not yet comprehensively understood. Addressing Underserved Populations in Autism Spectrum Research: An Intersectional Approach highlights five areas of autism spectrum research that currently lack a substantial body of literature. These include, autistic seniors, autistic women, fathers raising autistic children, autistics with intellectual disabilities, and autistics from ethnic minorities. Bennett and Goodall explore each area, offering explanations for why they have been overlooked in the existing literature and recommendations and strategies for further research to help us better understand these parts of the autistic community. They also explore and address systemic racism within the autism research community and explain strategies that scholars can use to conduct research that is both respectful of autistics and methodologically rigorous. Readers will gain an understanding of some of the gaps in our knowledge about the autism spectrum and will obtain the tools needed to conduct robust and appropriate research that addresses these gaps.

There are some things that many of us take for granted - such as knowing when we are hot or cold, feel hungry, or need to go to the toilet. But how do we know these things, and why do some people struggle to recognise them? Interoception - the ability to identify and act on physical sensations inside the body - is crucial to human well-being. It underpins physical developmental milestones, such as toilet-training, as well emotional ones, such as the ability to self-regulate. Research shows that Autism often co-occurs with poor interoceptive sense. This practical and informative book demystifies interoception and provides tools to help boost interoceptive abilities. It summarises the latest research, explores how interoceptive difficulties can be identified, suggests strategies to manage feelings and emotions, and explains how to support individuals in 'tuning in' to themselves.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and potentially ever-lasting impact on our economy, society, and the way that we live. In response to this pandemic there has been a plethora of research published about COVID-19. However, within this fast-growing body of literature there are only scant references made to the impact that this pandemic has had on autistics, their families, and the healthcare professionals who support autistics. Autism and COVID-19 is a concise summary of the research, bridging the gaps in our knowledge about autism and the COVID-19 pandemic. Bennett and Goodall address vaccine hesitancy among autistics and parents raising autistic children, the experiences of autistics living with COVID-19 disease and parenting an autistic child during the COVID-19 pandemic, synthesising the data about the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of autistic, their families, and those that provide autistics with medical assistance. Autism and COVID-19 both reviews the existing literature and presents new findings from a survey distributed to autistics and parents of autistics during the pandemic, all of which offer a unique and timely contribution to researchers, academics, practitioners, and those working with autistics and their families.

Unravelling the complexities of relationships and sexuality, this straight-talking guide will help you to navigate the associated social, emotional and physical issues. Expert advice and real life examples give you the knowledge to reflect on your own sexuality, provide you with information on different types of relationship, and gives you the confidence to decide which type of relationship is right for you. Together with important information on sexual health, this book will help you to understand how to find and maintain a relationship of your choosing in a safe and enjoyable way. Exploring the often unspoken rules of sex and relationships, this book also covers often unaddressed topics, such as: * what sexual attraction looks and feels like * how to identify your own sexual identity and preferences (and how they may change) * what your rights are, and how to stay safe * having children, or choosing not to, the impact of this on relationships * how to recognise power imbalances within relationships, and what to do

This scoping review furnishes the reader with a contemporary overview of research about employment conditions related to persons on the autism spectrum. In this book six guiding questions are used to address various aspects of employment for persons on the autism spectrum, including job opportunities, removing barriers to employment, becoming successful at work, and management issues for employers working with people on the autism spectrum. The contents of this scoping review can appeal to many different readers. Persons on the autism spectrum can learn about proven strategies that they can use to maximise their success in the workplace. Employers, tertiary students, and lay people can learn methods that they can use to help employees on the autism spectrum obtain and maintain employment. Finally, researchers can learn about the current limitations of our knowledge about the autism spectrum and employment.

This SpringerBrief provides readers with a comprehensive snapshot of contemporary research about autistics and their experiences and insights of sexual behaviours and interests. The authors use a scoping review approach to canvass the diverse literature on this topic. This approach shows many gaps in scholarly understanding about autistics and their experiences and insights of sexual interests and behaviours. Some of the gaps relate to sex education, gender dysphoria and gender reassignment surgery, pregnancy and childbirth, and domestic violence experiences of autistics. The book addresses these gaps and provides explanations and recommendations for further research.

'A must-read!' FINLAY GAMES This essential survival guide gives autistic trans and/or non-binary adults all the tools and strategies they need to live as their very best self. Blending personal accounts with evidence-based insights and up-to-date information, and written from a perspective of empowerment and self-acceptance, the book promotes pride, strength and authenticity, covering topics including self-advocacy, mental health and camouflaging and masking as well as key moments in life such as coming out or transitioning socially and/or physically. Written by two leading autistic trans activists, this book honestly charts what life is like as an autistic trans person and is vital, life-affirming reading.

Children and young people with autism have the capacity to be independent and resilient which can help them live independently or be supported to live a fulfilling life and reach their full potential. This book empowers parents of autistic children aged two to ten to help them promote resilience in their child. Full of suggestions and simple activities, this easy-to-use resource will help guide parents on how to build the foundations of resilience and independence for situations such as school, new environments and relationships with other children. It includes information about the main developmental stages for children on the autism spectrum, and will take parents through life events and milestones at different ages and identify where difficulties and barriers to resilience may arise and how to address them.

This book empowers parents of autistic young people aged 11 to 20 to help them promote resilience in their child. Full of suggestions and simple activities, this easy-to-use resource will help guide parents on how to build the foundations of resilience and independence for situations such as negotiating sexuality and relationships, entering employment or living away from home. It includes information about the main developmental stages for preteens and teens on the autism spectrum, and will take parents through life events and milestones at different ages and identify where difficulties and barriers to resilience may arise and how to address them.