John Marble is the founder of Pivot Neurodiversity and a trainer with Neurodiversity Pathways.

Khushboo Chabria is a neurodiversity specialist and career coach at Neurodiversity Pathways.

Ranga Jayaraman is Director of Neurodiversity Pathways.

All three are authors of Neurodiversity For Dummies.

Foreword xvii

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Foolish Assumptions 2

Icons Used in This Book 3

Beyond the Book 4

Where to Go from Here 4

Part 1: Understanding Autism 5

Chapter 1: What Is Autism? 7

Understanding Neurodiversity 8

Expanding Our Understanding of Autism 9

Being an Autistic Person 11

Understanding How Autism Develops 15

Clarifying What Doesn't Cause Autism 23

Exploring the Autistic Brain 24

Understanding Related Conditions 27

Talking about Autism 29

Chapter 2: Someone You Know Is Autistic 33

Recognizing Autism's History 34

Appreciating Autism's Benefits 36

Chapter 3: Diagnosing Autism 39

Understanding the Diagnostic Process 40

Understanding Diagnostic Criteria 40

Understanding Assessment Methods 43

Benefiting from Early Diagnosis 45

Addressing Diagnostic Barriers 47

When a Diagnosis Isn't Possible 51

Chapter 4: Understanding Autistic Traits 53

Understanding Spectrum Conditions 54

Appreciating Autistic Traits 55

How the Autistic Brain Thinks 57

How the Autistic Brain Uses Focus 59

How the Autistic Brain Organizes Thoughts 61

How the Autistic Brain Uses Senses 64

How the Autistic Brain Feels Emotions 67

How the Autistic Brain Communicates 68

How the Autistic Brain Socializes 72

How Autistic Bodies Respond 75

Part 2: Raising Autistic Kids 79

Chapter 5: Understanding and Being Understood 81

Exploring Autistic Communication 82

Recognizing Early Signs of Differences 83

Supporting Autistic Communication 84

Helping Your Child Communicate 88

Exploring Strategies for Growth 89

Chapter 6: Understanding Sensory Experiences 95

Understanding Sensory Differences 95

Supporting Sensory Differences 100

Practicing Effective Strategies 102

Building Sensory Awareness 105

Chapter 7: Responding to Behavior and Stress 107

Understanding Behavior and Stress 107

Coping with Meltdowns 110

Coping with Shutdowns 113

Addressing Wandering 115

Dealing with Social Isolation 117

Chapter 8: Raising Kids with Complex Needs 119

Embracing the Journey 120

Developing Daily Living Skills 122

Navigating the School System 124

Ensuring Health and Medical Care 127

Self-Care for Parents and Caregivers 129

Planning for the Future 132

Part 3: Supporting the Growth Of Autistic Kids 139

Chapter 9: Growing Cognitive Skills 141

Supporting How Autistic Kids Think 141

Improving Executive Functioning 144

Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills 146

Fostering Creative and Abstract Thinking 147

Using Technology and Multimedia 149

Chapter 10: Navigating the School System 151

Understanding How Your Child Learns 151

Navigating Educational Approaches 156

Navigating Educational Services 158

Seeking Support 161

Chapter 11: Helping Autistic Children Socialize 165

Supporting Autistic Socialization 165

Facilitating Social Interaction 170

Encouraging Self-Advocacy 175

Chapter 12: Empowering Autistic Teens 179

Understanding Your Teenager 179

Nurturing Emotional Growth 181

Fostering Social Growth 183

Guiding Your Teen into Adulthood 186

Teaching Life Skills 188

Part 4: Thriving as An Autistic Adult 193

Chapter 13: Empowering Yourself 195

Developing Self-Awareness 195

Exploring Your Autistic Identity 196

Embracing Your Total Identity 206

Understanding Yourself as Normal 206

Developing Self-Acceptance 207

Exercising Self-Advocacy 210

Nurturing Your Health and Wellness 212

Chapter 14: Navigating Higher Education 213

Understanding Your Options 214

Choosing the Right Path 217

Accessing Support 219

Chapter 15: Finding Work and Growing Your Career 221

Landing a Good Job 222

Thriving in Your Job 229

Securing Supported Employment 233

Advancing Your Career 234

Chapter 16: Nurturing Relationships 237

Key Things for Healthy Relationships 237

Navigating Family Dynamics 238

Building Friendships 241

Navigating Romantic Relationships 246

Navigating Sexual Relationships 248

Participating In Community Life 251

Part 5: Empowering Autistic Individuals 255

Chapter 17: Universal Principles for Empowerment 257

Shifting Our Perspective 257

Adopting an Empowering Mindset 261

A Civic and Spiritual Calling 266

Encouraging Autistic Inclusion 267

Chapter 18: How Service Providers Can Empower Autistic People 271

Adopting Core Service Principles 272

Providing Effective Services 276

Empowering as Medical Professionals 279

Empowering as Therapists 282

Chapter 19: How Educators Can Empower Autistic People 285

Creating an Inclusive Classroom 286

Working with Parents and Caregivers 296

Using Strategies by Educational Level 297

Becoming a Better Educator 300

Chapter 20: How the Workplace Can Empower Autistic Individuals 303

Understanding Autistic Employees 304

Understanding Accommodations 310

Creating an Inclusive Workplace 313

Part 6: Building An Autism-inclusive Future 321

Chapter 21: Working Together for a Better Future 323

Moving Forward Together in Unity 324

Bridging Perspectives and Experiences 325

Collaborating Effectively 329

Building Alliances 332

Chapter 22: Turning Vision into Reality 335

Shaping Public Policy 335

Ensuring Accurate News Reporting 340

Portraying Autism in Creative Media 344

Modernizing Autism Research 346

Building Effective Accommodations 354

Chapter 23: Voices from the Spectrum 357

Centering Autistic Voices 357

Respecting Complex Needs 360

Listening to Nonspeaking Voices 362

Amplifying Voices of Color 364

Parenting Autistic Kids 366

Living as an Autistic Adult 369

Part 7: the Part of Tens 375

Chapter 24: Ten Key Concepts About Autism 377

Autism Is a Natural Part of Life 377

Every Autistic Person Is Unique 378

Acceptance Is Better Than "Fitting In" 379

Communication Can Happen Through Various Means 380

Socialization May Look Different 380

Autistic People Think in Unique Ways 382

Sensory Experiences Can Be Vivid 383

Intense Interests Are Strengths 383

Stimming Is Normal and Important 383

Routine and Predictability Are Comforting 384

Chapter 25: Ten Ways to Help Autistic People Thrive 385

Embrace Neurodiversity 385

Understand Autistic People as Normal 386

Center Autistic Voices 386

Practice Compassionate Curiosity 387

Provide Clear and Consistent Support 387

Foster Independence 388

Reduce Barriers That People Face 390

Include Autistic People in Activities 390

Respect Boundaries 391

Provide Tools for Self-Advocacy 391

Index 393