Parties, Dorms and Social Norms: A Crash Course in Safe Living for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum

by Lisa M. Meeks, Tracy Loye Masterson, Michelle Rigler (Contribution by), Emily Quinn (Contribution by), Amy Rutherford (Illustrator)

Overview

The late teens and twenties are exciting times, but filled with potential pitfalls as young people navigate the transition into independent adult life.

This handbook is filled with the information that young people with ASD say they want (and need) to know about alcohol and drugs, social media and online safety, relationship types and boundaries, safe sex, stress and emotional health, and independent living. It includes real life examples, coping strategies and practical tips to help young adults with ASD stay safe while living life to the full.

Informal and frank, this will be a go-to guide for young people on the autism spectrum.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781784501921
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	03/21/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	16 - 18 Years

About the Author

Lisa M. Meeks, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Medicine and Director of Student Disability Services at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. She has developed specialized transition supports for students with ASD at three universities and frequently acts as a consultant for other academic and corporate institutions. She lives in San Francisco, CA.

Tracy Loye Masterson, PhD, is Associate Professor of Psychology at John Carroll University and a licensed clinical psychologist and specializes in working with individuals with ASD. She is the recipient of the David Hoch Memorial Award for Service and the Curtis Miles Service Award for her service pertaining to the ASD community. She currently is on the Board of Directors for Milestones Autism Resources and is also a board member for IHM/Building Behaviors Autism Center. She lives in Ohio.

Michelle Rigler, EdD is the Director of the Disability Resource Center and Mosaic Program at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is the co-author of a four year curriculum for support programming for college students with ASD. Michelle has been recognized as an expert in working with young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders as they transition into, through and out of college.

Emily Quinn is the Access Coordinator for the Disability Resource Center and serves in the role of faculty and coach for the Mosaic Program at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Emily co-authored the four year curriculum titled The BASICS College Curriculum.

Illustrations by Amy Rutherford, M.Ed. Amy is the Program Coordinator for the Mosaic Program and serves as faculty and coach within this program. Amy co-authored The BASICS College Curriculum and developed the highly engaging visual models for each chapter.

Lisa Meeks, PhD, is Director of Student Disability Services at the University of California, San Francisco. She has done extensive work in the area of transitions for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder developing specialized supports at three universities and she frequently consults with corporate and academic institutions regarding effective supports for students on the spectrum. She lives in San Francisco, CA.
Michelle Rigler, EdD, is Director of the Disability Resource Center at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She created and runs their MoSAIC Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Having completed a Master's Degree in Special Education and worked for a number of years as a special education teacher, she embarked on a career in Higher Education in 2004 and received a Doctorate in Education in Learning and Leadership.
Emily Quinn is Access Coordinator for the Disability Resource Center and serves in the role of coach and instructor for the MoSAIC Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Special Education.
Amy Rutherford is Program Coordinator for the Disability Resource Center's MoSAIC Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Jane Thierfeld-Brown. Foreword by Aaron Schatzman. Social Aspects of Adult Life. 1. Socializing Safely. 2. "Friend Me" - Safe and Healthy friendships and Relationships. 3. Let's talk about Sex: Sexuality, Sexual Relationships and Safe Sex. 4. Safely Navigating the Web: Social Media and Online Safety. Health Concerns in Adulthood. 5. Drinking and Drugs: Danger zone!. 6. Stressing Out: Managing Stress and Health. Independent Living. 7. Don't touch my things: Independent Living and Roommates. 8. Preventing "Oops": Household Safety Concerns. 9. Keeping track of the dough: Safe Money Management.

Editorial Reviews

Sensitive and hard to discuss issues (often glossed over for individuals with ASD) such as dating, measuring the stages of relationships, sex, and drinking are covered frankly, bluntly, and thoroughly. While of the utmost importance to everyone, these tough discussions affect young adults on the spectrum differently, often times due to the awkwardness of the topic, and the social faux pas that happen during everyday spectrum living.

from the foreword by Aaron Schatzman

The authors are respectful and informative in explaining concepts that may be socially confusing and cloaked in non-verbal cues for young adults on the spectrum. This manual fills a gap in resources and, for that, we parents and young adults on the spectrum are grateful.

from the foreword by Jane Thierfeld-Brown