Autism, Identity and Me: A Practical Workbook and Professional Guide to Empower Autistic Children and Young People Aged 10+

Product Information

Having a positive understanding of your autistic identity is an indicator of higher self-esteem and wellbeing as an adult. This guidebook supports the development of this and will be valuable for all adults working with autistic children and young people aged 10+. If you are a professional leading these conversations (in advance of the session), you should start planning and information gathering alongside parents. The resources section of the Guidebook has tools which can be used in an informal meeting with parents/carers and key adults.

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 Highly structured and visual, the workbook is broken down into key sections such as 'Interests and focus', 'Masking', 'Emotions and energy levels' and 'My autistic identity statement' to create a personal passport and to develop a deeper understanding of what autism means to the young person as an individual. Content has been shaped by autistic advisors and contributors, with first-hand experiences of young people woven throughout. The workbook aims to encourage and build: Consider the environment: would they prefer to be somewhere familiar? Think about the sensory input such as lighting and sounds.This empowering workbook and guide will help children and young people to develop a positive understanding of their autistic identity, whilst providing key adults with the tools needed to support their journey and initiate important conversations.

It is never too late to support a young person in developing a better sense of self. I have worked for a number of years doing just this, through clearly structured sessions, together creating a personalised book all about them. The Autism, Identity and Me Workbook for young people was created to become the individual’s unique story, using visual prompts to positively explore their personality and interests, feelings of difference and what this means to them. The book also features other autistic individuals, providing peer representation, and a template toolkit. When to have these conversations? It is important that the supporting adult is able to keep calm, give enough processing time and speak about autism very positively. to support with processing (providing additional visual tools or methods that work for that young person) 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 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

BOOK SERIES

Hearing voices of autistic children throughout the book gives a unique insight that can only be gained from listening to those with lived experience. Rebecca's passion for supporting autistic young people is clear throughout, which has resulted in a book which allows autistic young people a chance to positively own their identity." – Dr Jenna Kenyani , Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Adviser, University of Liverpool These books are innovative as they help autistic young people to own their autism diagnosis. This book duo supports autistic young people to find a safe space to explore their autistic identity, diagnosis and newfound life trajectory. Using non-medical jargon and empowering, yet factual, information, Rebecca has created a non-judgemental and non-infantilised place to not only support but explore what comes next." -Carly Jones MBE, British autism advocate