1st Edition
Autism, Identity and Me: A Practical Workbook to Empower Autistic Children and Young People Aged 10+
This empowering workbook will help children and young people to develop a positive understanding of their autistic identity.
Highly structured and visual, the workbook is broken down into key sections such as 'Interests and focus', 'Masking', 'Emotions and energy levels' and 'My autistic identity statement' to create a personal passport and to develop a deeper understanding of what autism means to the young person as an individual. Content has been shaped by autistic advisors and contributors, with first-hand experiences of young people woven throughout. The workbook aims to encourage and build:
- An understanding of what autism is
- An understanding of what autism means to them (their autistic identity)
- A positive sense of self
- An acknowledgement of things that may be trickier
- A pride in being autistic.
Having a positive understanding of your autistic identity is an indicator of higher self-esteem and wellbeing as an adult. This workbook supports the development of this and will be valuable for autistic children and young people aged 10+ and the adults working with them. It is designed to be used alongside the accompanying guide for most effective use, which provides further support for the lead adult and a platform for initiating important conversations.
For effective use, this workbook should be purchased alongside the guide. Both books can purchased together as a set, Autism, Identity and Me: A Practical Workbook and Professional Guide to Empower Autistic Children and Young People Aged 10+, 9781032261027.
Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- My physical identity
- My personality and interests
- Feeling different
- What autism is
- My autistic identity
- Interests and focus
- Social
- Communication
- Sensory
- Stimming
- Routine and structure
- Masking
- Emotions and energy levels
- Other autistic individuals
- My toolkit
- My personal passport
- My autistic identity statement
- Self-advocacy
- Summary
Biography
Rebecca Duffus BSc, PGCE, MA is an experienced Advisory Teacher with a Psychology Degree and a Masters in Autism and Education. She has many years of experience working with students and educators in both mainstream and specialist education settings as well as within local authority and education services. Rebecca has been a speaker at conferences across the UK, developed a range of parent programmes, and provides training and coaching for settings. Rebecca is passionate about celebrating neurodiversity.
"Rebecca’s book is innovative as it helps autistic young people own their autism diagnosis. Using non-medical jargon and empowering, yet factual, information, Rebecca has created a non-judgemental and non-infantilised place to not only support but explore what comes next." – Carly Jones MBE, British Autism Advocate
"This book has helped me get a grip on my autism and understand it more. It allows me to see the reasons, know why I’m doing all this stuff that neurotypicals wouldn’t do, and makes me feel better – good – that I wasn't alone in this." – Daniel, Young Person
"Rebecca’s book is a great resource for guiding strength-based conversations about a young person’s autistic identity. The book focuses on individual similarities and differences, whilst encouraging a sense of shared identity and connection to others. This is a great resource for supporting young people to explore their individual strengths and skills, whilst developing a sense of pride. A recommended read!" – Dr Claire Prosser BEM, Educational Psychologist, Spectropolis – Pay it Forward
"Hearing voices of autistic children throughout the book gives a unique insight that can only be gained from listening to those with lived experience. Rebecca's passion for supporting autistic young people is clear throughout, which has resulted in a book which allows autistic young people a chance to positively own their identity." – Dr Jenna Kenyani, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Adviser, University of Liverpool
"It’s a positive book, the illustrations being done by someone who is autistic is brilliant, and I like the autistic people section near the end." – Lynn McCann, Autism & PDA Specialist Teacher & Author, Reachout ASC
"As you would expect from a practitioner of Rebecca’s stature, this book is empowering and accessible and sensitively covers a huge range of situations and scenarios faced by autistic children in a manner that will guide them in their growing up. Thoroughly recommended!" – Andrew Whitehouse, SEND Consultant
"This book is a gift! […] to all autistic people to help them work through their identity and to celebrate what makes them truly them. A gift to parents/carers who have an autistic son or daughter, to help guide them through the journey of life." – Duvessa Owen, Deputy Headteacher & SENCo
