Abstract

Written by an 'insider', an openly gay autistic adult, Wendy Lawson writes frankly and honestly about autism, sex and sexuality. In her new book, she draws upon her own experience to examine the implications of being autistic on relationships, sex and sexuality. Having discussed subjects such as basic sex education and autism, the author goes further to explore the wider issues of interpersonal relationships, same sex attraction, bisexuality and transgender issues. She also examines the unspoken rules that exist between people in relationships and explains why these rules can be difficult and confusing for people with autism. This book will give courage and information to adults with autism or Asperger Syndrome and provide essential insights to those living and working with them.
Wendy Lawson is a mother of four, who was originally diagnosed as being intellectually disabled, then in her teens, as being schizophrenic, and finally in 1994, as having an autism spectrum disorder. She has been married, separated and divorced, has experienced the death of one of her teenage sons, gone through moving from one country to another, losing friends and status due to being openly gay, faced ill health and recently come to terms with the fact that she is aging! Her youngest son was diagnosed at the age of 12 as having Asperger's Syndrome. As a qualified counsellor, social worker and psychologist Wendy has operated her own private practice for many years. She is the author of five books, including Understanding and Working with the Spectrum of Autism, and Build Your Own Life: A Self-help Guide for Individuals With Asperger's Syndrome, both published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
In many ways this book is quite remarkable both for the professional reader and for the person with autism. In the first case it serves as an antidote to the sterile professional literature on diagnosis, management of anxiety symptoms, social stories and so on. In the second case I imagine this book could be like the switching on of a brilliant light to a person with autism, allowing them across to a world that might be incomprehensible, in a way that they can grasp and mull over and apply.The liberating potential of this book is obviously even more the case if this person is struggling with their sexual identity.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy
This book will give courage and information to adults with autism or Asperger Syndrome and provide essential insights to those living and working with them.
The Spectrum
Mother of four Wendy Lawson writes frankly about autism, sex and sexuality; and the many issues that can make these subjects so complicated for autistic people. She draws upon her own experiences as an autistic adult to attempt to address everyday questions that face autistic people regarding sexuality, love and relationships. The book provides essential insights to people with autism or Aspergers Syndrome and to those living and working with them.
Autism Us
A thought-provoking introduction to a whole range of issues related to the building of friendships and relationships, intimacy, sexual orientation, and maintaining relationships.
Community Care