Life on the Bridge

The hardcover and digital audio editions feature new material, and a new introduction from Cian O'Clery, director of Netflix's hit series Love on the Spectrum! From Autistic Advocate, Love on the Spectrum cast member, and therapist Kaelynn Partlow, a warm, personal, and practical guide to understanding autism — from behaviors to communication and beyond. You've heard from autistic authors. You've heard from therapists. Now hear from one extraordinary young woman who's both. Experience autism from the inside out through a rare fusion of professional skill and personal understanding. Reshape what you know about the autism spectrum and increase your ability to give support. Varied perspectives among autistic individuals, their families, and professionals have often been difficult to reconcile. Now, you can bridge that divide with guidance from someone who’s lived in multiple worlds. Find immediate, actionable options to build connections, foster communication, navigate challenges, and enhance interactions. SPECIFIC CONTENT: Autism. What it is, what it isn’t; and what are the resulting misunderstandings across the spectrum? Communication. Exactly how do you avoid misunderstandings, encourage conversation, and build options for better interaction? Behavior . Learn about the origin and mechanics of meltdowns, stimming, perseveration, sensory distortion, and other common autistic challenges. Interaction. The struggles are real: autism-enhanced loneliness, social-skill deficits, goal-setting, and the thorny issues of disability accommodation. Common Questions. What are DSM-V diagnostic levels and why do they matter? What about therapy and ABA or routes to useful advocacy? "Loved Kaelynn Partlow's information on ambiguity and communication. She gives lots of practical pointers on how to be more direct and specific when talking to autistic individuals. Vague, open ended questions are not effective communication." — Temple Grandin, New York Times bestselling author of Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions "As a rising star in the field, Partlow is poised to become this generation’s Temple Grandin." — Erin R. Hahn, Ph.D., Department Chair and Professor of Psychology, Furman University