Autism: An Inside-Out Approach : An Innovative Look at the 'Mechanics' of 'Autism' and Its Developmental 'Cousins'

Donna William's challenging new book, written by an autistic person for people with autism and related disorders, carers, and the professionals who work with them, is a practical handbook to understanding, living with and working with autism. Exploring autism from the inside, it shows clearly how the behaviours associated with autism can have a range of different causes, and in many cases reflect the autistic person's attempt to gain control over their internal world. The sensory and perceptual problems that challenge a person with autism are described in depth, together with strategies for tackling them so as to enable that person to take more control of their lives. Donna Williams comments on the various approaches to autism, drawing out those strategies that are of real use, and explaining why some approaches may prove counterproductive, leaving the autistic person feeling even more isolated and misunderstood. Taking the view that understanding autism is the key to managing the condition, Donna William's book will bring illumination to all those who have felt baffled and frustrated by the outside appearance of autism. It contains a wealth of helpful suggestions, insights and new ideas, exploding old myths and promoting a view that all those involved with autism will find empowering and creative. Written by a person w/autism, interior sensory & perceptual problems as well as strategies for dealing w/them discussed. "Donna William's challenging new book, written by an autistic person for people with autism and related disorders, carers, and the professionals who work with them, is a practical handbook to understanding, living with and working with autism. Exploring autism from the inside, it shows clearly how the behaviours associated with autism can have a range of different causes, and in many cases reflect the autistic person's attempt to gain control over their internal world. The sensory and perceptual problems that challenge a person with autism are described in depth, together with strategies for tackling them so as to enable that person to take more control of their lives. Donna Williams comments on the various approaches to autism, drawing out those strategies that are of real use, and explaining why some approaches may prove counterproductive, leaving the autistic person feeling even more isolated and misunderstood." "Taking the view that understanding autism is the key to managing the condition, Donna William's book will bring illumination to all those who have felt baffled and frustrated by the outside appearance of autism. It contains a wealth of helpful suggestions, insights and new ideas, exploding old myths and promoting a view that all those involved with autism will find empowering and creative."--Jacket Contents Acknowledgements Foreword Chapter 1 A Bucket Full o f Jigsaws 1 Chapter 2 What is This Thing Called 'Autism'? 7 Chapter 3 Tackling the Bogie-Man of 'Autism' 18 Chapter 4 The Mixed Bag Found in One Classroom 26 Chapter 5 Approaches to 'Autism' 49 Chapter 6 The Straws on the Camel's Back 87 Chapter 7 Problems of Connection 94 Chapter 8 Revisiting Adaptations and Compensations 124 Chapter 9 Artificial Limbs 140 Chapter 10'Hyper-Connection' 192 Chapter 11 Problems of Tolerance 200 Chapter 12 Problems of Control 225 Chapter 13 Communication 230 Chapter 14 Sleepwalker-Sleeptalkers and 'Savant Skills' 239 Chapter 15 Personality 259 Chapter 16 Asperger Syndrome? 272 Chapter 17 Seeing 'Systems' 279 Chapter 18 Education 283 Index This book, written by an autistic person for people with autism and related disorders, carers, and the professionals who work with them, is a practical handbook to understanding, living with and working with autism. It shows clearly how the behaviours associated with autism can have a range of different causes.