TITLE: The Actually Autistic Guide to Building Independence: A Handbook for Teens, Young Adults and Those Who Care About Them
AUTHOR: Brunton, Jennifer, Ph.D. and Gensic, Jenna, MA
SUBJECT AREA: Autism-Independent Living
PUBLISHER: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
PUBLICATION DATE: 2025
NUMBER OF PAGES: 239
When I started reading this book, I was expecting yet another handbook with independent living skills advice such as tips on budgeting, finding a place to live, dating, and finding employment or applying for colleges. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised by a different approach-that of ways to change the environment and how society can better support those with ASD.
The book is divided into stages with Stage 1 devoted to advocating for inclusive homes and schools. This starts with Step 1: fostering acceptance and inclusive homes and family dynamics which is not an easy task with so many children growing up with divorced parents and abuse. Suggestions presented in this section such as making one’s home a refuge from the overstimulation and stress of school, avoiding generalizations about “life skills” and embracing different identities, be it gender or racial, make this seem possible. Other steps in this section include finding sustainable means of connecting with others, such as online communities and choosing respectful language.
Stage 2 concerns itself with fostering a smoother transition to adulthood including navigating the transition from high school and ways to find employment or apply for college and getting that all-important driver’s license, (fewer people with autism drive compared to the general population).
Stage 3: Advocating for More Inclusive Workplace and Communities includes Steps 7 and 8, devoted to self-advocacy in finding employment and promoting welcoming public spaces such as libraries and grocery stores. Each section includes an explanation of why this goal needs to be met and at the end of each chapter there are summary questions so that the reader can really learn the material at hand.
The tone is upbeat and positive and refreshing like a cool breeze on a hot day and this book can open the door to a more positive future for people with ASD with similar challenges. What I also loved about this book was the constant input from young people of varying gender identities. This is a MUST HAVE for teens with autism moving into adulthood and it’s the best book of this kind I have seen!