Providing professional perspectives alongside personal experiences and suggestions from mothers, daughters and educators, this is a comprehensive text for parents, teachers and professionals working with families and their daughters with ASDs.

'This book is not only reassuring; it is inspiring, and bursting with ideas and achievable strategies. The authors write with authority and conviction, and tackle even the most difficult and delicate of topics. If ever you needed to be convinced that girls with ASD can overcome the difficulties and challenges of puberty and adolescence, have successful friendships and relationships and enjoy a healthy sexuality, then take the time to read this book - it is a must-have for families, teachers and therapists alike.' -Sarah Attwood, author of Making Sense of Sex: A Forthright Guide to Puberty, Sex and Relationships for People with Asperger's Syndrome Growing up isn't easy, and the trials and tribulations of being a teenager can be particularly confusing for girls with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). This book covers all the concerns commonly faced by girls with ASDs and their parents, from periods and puberty to worries over friendships and 'fitting in'. Taking a good look at these adolescent issues, and many more, within the context of specific areas of difficulty for girls with ASDs, the authors provide families with the knowledge and advice they need to help their daughters - and the whole family - through the teenage years. This book addresses core issues such as cognition, communication, behavior, sensory sensitivities, and social difficulties; it gives candid and realistic advice on a wide range of important teenage topics. Providing professional perspectives alongside personal experiences from mothers, daughters and educators, this is a unique and indispensible guide for families and their daughters with ASDs, as well as the teachers and professionals who work with them.

This charmingly illustrated guide for girls is full of facts and advice about growing up, puberty, body image, friendship, crushes and more! Written in literal language and addressing sensory issues, safety, and social skills throughout, it offers an ideal introduction to the teenage years for girls with autism aged 9 to 14.

Often thought of as a predominantly ‘male’ disorder, autism has long gone unidentified, unnoticed and unsupported in girls – sometimes with devastating consequences for their social and mental well-being. As current research reveals a much more balanced male-to-female ratio in autism, this book provides crucial insight into autistic girls’ experiences, helping professionals to recognize, understand, support and teach them effectively. Drawing on the latest research findings, chapters consider why girls have historically been overlooked by traditional diagnostic approaches, identifying behaviours that may be particular to girls, and exploring the ‘camouflaging’ that can make the diagnosis of autistic girls more difficult. Chapters emphasize both the challenges and advantages of autism and take a multidisciplinary approach to encompass contributions from autistic girls and women, their family members, teachers, psychologists and other professionals. The result is an invaluable source of first-hand insights, knowledge and strategies, which will enable those living or working with girls on the autism spectrum to provide more informed and effective support. Giving voice to the experiences, concerns, needs and hopes of girls on the autism spectrum, this much-needed text will provide parents, teachers and other professionals with essential information to help them support and teach autistic girls more effectively.

"Never be ashamed of being different: it is this difference that makes you extraordinary and unique." This essential go-to guide gives you all the advice and tools you'll need to help you flourish and achieve what you want in life. From the answers to everyday questions such as 'Am I using appropriate body language?' and 'Did I say the wrong thing?', through to discussing the importance of understanding your emotions, looking after your physical and mental health and coping with anxiety and sensory overloads, award-winning neurodiversity campaigner Siena Castellon uses her own experiences to provide you with the skills to overcome any challenge. With practical tips on friendships, dating, body image, consent and appearance, as well as how to survive school and bullying, The Spectrum Girl's Survival Guide gives you the power to embrace who you are, reminding you that even during the toughest of teen moments, you are never alone.

The first comprehensive guide to helping teens with autism—from the acclaimed authors of Overcoming Autism With an estimated half a million Americans under twenty-six on the autism spectrum, this book offers the reassurance, solace, and practical solutions that so many people are searching for. Following up on their work in Overcoming Autism, which offered advice for teaching young children on the spectrum, Lynn Koegel and Claire LaZebnik now present strategies for working with teens and young adults living with this complex condition. Addressing universal parental concerns, from first crushes and a changing body to how to succeed in college and beyond, Growing Up on the Spectrum is a beacon of hope and wisdom for parents, therapists, and educators alike.

Woven around her first person experiences and scholarly references, is insight on many of the questions and concerns females with AS surely experience at some point in their life...lovely time spent with a friend...a teaching tool for women and their supporters...a read everyone can enjoy on a number of levels. - from the foreword Kristi Hubbard gives summaries of over a decade of intensive research on autism spectrum conditions. She offers insight, advice, encouragement, understanding, solutions and suggestions for girls and women with Asperger's. She found out she had Asperger's Syndrome when she was in graduate school and shares her challenging experiences growing up and in adulthood. She offers insight with her experiences helping children who have autism, and sets forth her search for the truth of what Asperger's really is, where it came from and the discovery of methods to have a happy, joyful and successful life. She also offers insight for caregivers, teachers and any other professional or family member to better understand and help girls with Asperger's. Read this book to learn: - Sex differences in Asperger's - Early signs detecting Asperger's - Insight on more than 21 Asperger's traits - How to overcome sensory issues - How to overcome social difficulties - Tips on making friends and keeping them - Solutions on more than 26 common life issues - Methods to have a happier family life living with Asperger's - Better understanding of the meaning and purpose in life - Numerous helpful resources for those with Asperger's - How to prevent or decrease the chances of your child from developing Autism

Adolescence is an especially challenging time for all people on the autism spectrum, and girls face an entirely different set of issues to boys. Written specifically for female teens and pre-teens on the autism spectrum, this book provides practical information, tips and strategies for teenage girls across a wide range of topics.

A diverse collection of autistic voices that highlights how parents can avoid common mistakes and misconceptions, and make their child feel truly accepted, valued, and celebrated for who they are. Most resources available for parents come from psychologists, educators, and doctors, offering parents a narrow and technical approach to autism. Sincerely, Your Autistic Child represents an authentic resource for parents written by autistic people themselves. From childhood and education to culture, gender identity, and sexuality, this anthology tackles the everyday joys and challenges of growing up while honestly addressing the emotional needs, sensitivity, and vibrancy of autistic kids, youth, and young adults. Contributors reflect on what they have learned while growing up on the autism spectrum and how parents can avoid common mistakes and overcome challenges while raising their child. Part memoir, part guide, and part love letter, Sincerely, Your Autistic Child is an indispensable collection that invites parents and allies into the unique and often unheard experiences of autistic children and teens.

There is nothing mild about mild autism. I hear people say, “He’s got high functioning autism. It’s only mild. He will be grand.” What people on the outside don’t see are the challenges people with autism face every day. And the one problem most people with autism spectrum disorder have is this invisible and often very significant disability of lacking theory of mind. This is the innate foundation of all communication in every man, woman, and child on this Earth, and they don’t have it. I want you to walk in my shoes. I want to share my way of thinking with you, my point of view. I have constructed a group of my real stories to let you into my thoughts. I believe that after reading my memoirs, you will have gained a comprehensive knowledge of what it really means to have autism spectrum disorder.