Not everyone with autism is the same. This workbook will help teenagers recognise their own individual spectrum of autistic behaviours, and reflect on the specific challenges they face, their own strengths and how they relate to other people.

Using creative writing activities, this book helps teenagers to identify connections between events and their emotions – which can be difficult for people with autism – while improving their writing skills through fun activities. A range of examples of poetry and short stories are included to make each activity accessible to all levels and to show how writing narrative and poems can help support personal reflection.

The book encourages the reader to explore the core aspects of autism including social communication, executive function, and sensory processing, and then allows the teen to create a template of their own spectrum of abilities within autism. This unique understanding of autism can then be used to develop individual strategies and encourage self-advocacy. Using this book collaboratively with teachers or parents means the teen can be supported in a way that is specific to them.

Suitable for teachers, parents, and school counsellors. The book is aimed at teens aged 12-18, who can complete the book on their own or with support from a parent or teacher. The exercises can also be used in a group setting, enabling discussion.

Contents:

• Acknowledgement;
• Preface;
• Introduction;
• Aims of the book for teenagers;
• How to use the book;
• Chapter structure;
• How to use the book as a course;
• Chapter Instructions;
• Introductory poem;
• 1. Know Your Spectrum of Executive Functioning;
• 2. Know Your Spectrum of Sensory Things;
• 3. Know Your Spectrum of Processing Differences;
• 4. Know Your Spectrum of Theory of Mind;
• 5. Know Your Spectrum of Social Communication;
• 6. Know Your Spectrum of Shutdowns and Meltdowns;
• 7. Know Your Spectrum of Self-Regulation and Routines;
• Final Poem;
• Epilogue;
• References;
• Further Reading

Author Bio:

Finn Monahan is a specialist SPLD teacher working as a freelance Asperger’s/Dyslexia Tutor and Disability Needs Assessor at Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster. She received a late diagnosis of Asperger’s aged 38 and the impact of growing up without a diagnosis inspired her to write this book.