1st Edition
Autism, Identity and Me: A Professional and Parent Guide to Support a Positive Understanding of Autistic Identity
Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Background information
- What is autism?
- Sensory differences
- Emotions, anxiety and masking
- Girls
- Debunking myths
- Using the workbook
- Section guidance
Session 1: My physical identity; my personality and interests, feeling different
Session 2: What autism is; interests and focus
Session 3: Social and communication
Session 4: Sensory
Session 5: Routine and structure; masking, stimming; emotions and energy levels
Session 6: Other autistic individuals; my toolkit; my personal passport; my autistic identity statement; self-advocacy
Resources
References
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.
"This guidebook is innovative as it helps autistic young people own their autism diagnosis, whereas it’s likely the pathway thus far has been directed by a medical and/or parental perspective. This book assists adults to support autistic young people to find a safe space to explore their autistic identity, diagnosis and newfound life trajectory." – Carly Jones MBE, British Autism Advocate
"Autism, Identity and Me not only reflects Rebecca’s ethos, it is a structured, easy to follow, informative and invaluable text which covers all areas of autism from what it actually is through to every element of the day to day life of an autistic child. I will be using this book in my own practice." – Andrew Whitehouse, SEND Consultant, Andrew Whitehouse Ltd
"Feeling different can be an upsetting, frustrating and terrifying experience, especially as a child. Rebecca's book is a great resource to help young people and the adults supporting them to navigate an autism diagnosis." – Dr Jenna Kenyani, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Adviser, University of Liverpool
"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
"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
