Autism Success: Helping Those On the Autism Spectrum Live Successful Lives

by Paul Meier

Overview

A successful life with autism is being wholly autistic, while also living a full rewarding life in a world not set up for autism.

This book answers the "why" behind autism; helping autism make sense. This book also provides autism-based solutions for autism based problems. It bridges the gap between the autistic and non-autistic worlds.

Paul Meier's approach to autism is less that of a therapist but more that of an engineer. Understanding how autism works provides the tools neccessary to construct a successful real-world life for those on the autism spectrum.

Paul Meier founded and runs CNY Autism Consulting. Paul is also on the autism spectrum, providing a unuque perspective of personal experience.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781733979238
Publisher:	CNY Autism Consulting
Publication date:	05/28/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	220
File size:	507 KB

About the Author

About the author: • On the autism spectrum himself providing the perspective of an insider. • Been working with kids since 1985 as a professional and/or volunteer. • Founded and has run CNY Autism Consulting since 2011. • Speaks at universities, schools, and agencies. • Sits on the NY State Department of Education Advisory Council for Post-Secondary Disability Education. • Experienced in working with those who have coexisting mental health, developmental, and physical diagnoses. • Experienced in autism crisis management. • Works with all ages and levels of functioning. • Mentors two brothers with autism, in their home, his home, and the community. • Took in and parented an autistic teen. Also: • Repeated third grade in school, and was in a self-contained classroom for fourth and fifth grade. • Couldn't ride a bike until age eleven. • While repeatedly failing in high school accused of being: lazy, unprepared, unconcerned, and not working to abilities. • Failed courses in college, graduating with a 2.2 GPA, and not knowing if there would be a diploma until the day before graduation. • Was fired from multiple jobs, and almost fired from several more. • Struggles with handwriting to the degree he has difficulty doing much more than signing his name or making a shopping list. • Most days has a sink piled with dirty dishes.

Table of Contents

Introduction: My life .........................................................1

Not Supposed to Make it .................................................3

Part A: Life with Autism .................................................13

1. Pet the Cat ................................................................15

2. Behavior as Communication .....................................18

3. Anxiety .......................................................................24

4. Intent ..........................................................................27

5. High and Low Functioning ..........................................31

6. Don't Blame Autism ....................................................35

7. View from Inside Autism .............................................38

8. Neuro-Typical Disorder ...............................................41

9. Relationships ..............................................................45

Part B: Autism Culture ....................................................51

10. Autism as Culture .....................................................53

11. How the Brain is Different .........................................57

12. Highs and Lows ........................................................60

13. Meltdown and Shutdown ..........................................63

14. Hard-Wired Triggers .................................................68

15. Brain Switch ..............................................................78

16. Special Interest .........................................................84

17. Sensory .....................................................................99

18. Perseveration ..........................................................104

Part C: Bridging the Gap ................................................113

19. Life Isn't Fair .............................................................115

20. Be Open ...................................................................119

21. Intellect not Instinct ...................................................122

22. Avoiding Autism-Based Problems .............................125

23. Three stages of Action ..............................................129

24. Research and Decision-Making ................................135

25. Protect Me from Me ...................................................142

26. Trauma: How Hard to Push  ......................................146

27. Relationship Pyramid .................................................151

Part D: Notes to the Non-Autistic .....................................159

28. Labels ........................................................................161

29. Self-Advocacy Struggles ............................................163

30. Commitment and Calculated Risk-Taking ..................165

31. Age Appropriate .........................................................168

32. Discipline ....................................................................171

33. Philosophy of Care .....................................................179

34. Academics ..................................................................182

35. Who Does Well in Life ................................................197

36. Perfectionism ..............................................................205

About the Author ...............................................................210