Spectrum Women

Edited by Barb Cook and Dr Michelle Garnett. Foreword by Lisa Morgan.

Barb Cook and 14 other autistic women describe life from a female autistic perspective, and present empowering, helpful and supportive insights from their personal experience for fellow autistic women. Michelle Garnett's comments validate and expand the experiences described from a clinician's perspective, and provide extensive recommendations. Autistic advocates including Liane Holliday Willey, Anita Lesko, Jeanette Purkis, Artemisia and Samantha Craft offer their personal guidance on significant issues that particularly affect women, as well as those that are more general to autism. Contributors cover issues including growing up, identity, diversity, parenting, independence and self-care amongst many others. With great contributions from exceptional women, this is a truly well-rounded collection of knowledge and sage advice for any woman with autism.

15 autistic women give empowerment, advice, support and insight to fellow autistic women, with clinical commentary from a specialist

Foreword. Preface. Introduction. 1. Finding Your Tribe, Maura Campbell (Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland). 2. Growing up on the Spectrum, Jen Elcheson (Prince George, British Columbia, Canada) & Barb Cook (Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia). 3. Identity: A Beautiful Work in Progress, Artemisia (Planet Earth, Galaxy: Milky Way). 4. Diversity: Gender, Intersectionality and Feminism, Catriona Stewart (Dunblane, Stirlingshire, Scotland, United Kingdom). 5. Personal Relationships, Jen Elcheson (Prince George, British Columbia, Canada) & Anita Lesko (Pensacola, Florida, USA). 6. Socializing, Anxiety and Addictions, Barb Cook (Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia). 7. Personal Safety, Liane Holliday Willey (Michigan, USA). 8. A Real Parent, Samantha Craft (Olympia, Washington, USA). 9. Independence, Barb Cook (Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia). 10. Promoting Positive Employment, Jeanette Purkis (Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia). 11. Our Sensory Worlds, Kate Ross (Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom), Jen Elcheson (Prince George, British Columbia, Canada) & Barb Cook (Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia). 12. Communication, Becca Lory (Long Island, New York, USA). 13. Emotional Regulation, Renata Jurkevythz (Eriskirch, Baden-Württemberg, Germany). 14. Executive Functioning, Terri Mayne (Nottingham, England, United Kingdom), Maura Campbell (Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland) & Kate Ross (Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom). 15. General Health, Kate Ross (Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom) & Anita Lesko (Pensacola, Florida, USA). 16. Autism and Co-Occurring Conditions, Anita Lesko (Pensacola, Florida, USA). 17. Considering Autistic Life and Mental Wellness, Dena Gassner (Long Island, New York, USA). 18. Self-Care, Becca Lory (Long Island, New York, USA), Catriona Stewart (Dunblane, Stirlingshire, Scotland, United Kingdom) & Kate Ross (Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom). 19. Intense Interests, Christine Jenkins (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) & Renata Jurkevythz (Eriskirch, Baden-Württemberg, Germany). 20. And Another Thing...