Abstract

Gunilla Gerland's extensive experience of the autism spectrum means she is expertly placed to offer a fresh perspective on working with autism as well as a wealth of effective tools and interventions to use in practice.

In a highly readable style, with many inspiring examples, this book offers original explanations of the impairments associated with autism, showing how to discover the root cause of behaviours that are challenging, not just how to manage them superficially. It looks objectively and non-judgementally at the common pitfalls and difficulties that autism professionals may encounter, explaining how to deal with these and transition to more effective working relationships. An important section on ethics and reflection equips the reader with the knowledge and skills needed to grow professionally in the field.

Packed with original insights and practical, hands-on tools and strategies, this is essential reading for teachers, teaching assistants, support workers, counsellors, social workers and anyone else working with individuals of any age on the autism spectrum.

The sections on empathy, ethics, moral competence and reflection are particularly informative. Entertaining and inspiring anecdotes to entertain, amuse, educate and inform are scattered throughout this book. I give it a ringing endorsement.
Nursing Standard
Gunilla Gerland uses her professional experience and amazing first-hand knowledge of what it is like to be autistic to give a guide to the education and care of autistic people. It is an authoritative guide, but it is also fun to read. The book is bursting with vivid examples. This is crucial as every individual case is different and needs to be understood in depth before any kind of intervention or trouble shooting can be effective. But there is not only talk of problems and troubles and how they can be overcome. There is also a celebration of people who know they are different and people who are genuinely tolerant of differences. Gunilla generously shares her extensive and imaginative toolkit, and above all she shows how a combination of critical knowledge, basic humanity and sound common sense can make special education special.
Professor Uta Frith, Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Development, University College London Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience
It is rare to find a book like this, with pages so packed with insights and well-exampled ways of getting all practitioners not only to understand their charges with autism but also to understand themselves and thus to modify their practices. I have spent a lifetime trying to help this population, but this book inspired me to want to start again, to see if I could improve my own practice as well. It is truly an exceptional and much-needed text.
Professor Rita Jordan, Emeritus Professor in Autism Spectrum Disorders, University of Birmingham
Gunilla Gerland has developed an unusually insightful, "hands-on" approach to psychoeducational assessment and intervention in Asperger syndrome, an approach that is not only theoretically sound but also readily applicable in real life situations. In this book she shares this wisdom in a highly readable and well-structured way...It is a must for all teachers, relatives and friends of people with Asperger syndrome and related autism spectrum disorders. It should also be required reading for all autism specialists.
Christopher Gillberg, MD, PhD, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and Institute of Child Health, UK
Gunilla Gerland was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome several years ago. She has more than 15 years' experience in the autism field, working as a counsellor, supervisor and educator. She is well-known internationally for her autobiography A Real Person: Life on the Outside, and is very active in informing people about autism, through writing and lecturing all over Europe. She lives in Stockholm, where she also works closely with the Swedish National Autism Society. She is the author of Finding Out About Asperger Syndrome, High-Functioning Autism and PDD, also published by JKP.