Ask and Tell: Self-Advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum

Advocacy skills must be taught because they are essential to life success. Learn from people with ASD on how to teach these skills!

Edited by Stephen Shore, Ask and Tell helps people with autism effectively self-advocate in their pursuit of independent, productive, and fulfilling lives.

Ask and Tell is unique in that:

• It is the first book to speak to the twin issues of self-advocacy and disclosure for people with autism
• This book discusses how advocacy begins in preschool and extends throughout the lifespan with meaningful examples
• It shows how people with autism have great value to society
• It is written and illustrated entirely by individuals with ASD, including a preface by Temple Grandin.

Successful self-advocacy involves a degree of disclosure about oneself that often carries some degree of risk, in an effort to reach the goal of better mutual understanding. Ask and Tell offers countless practical ideas and advice adjusted for different personalities and personal preferences, and always backed by the real-life experiences.

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"As soon as I opened the first pages of this book, I knew that it was going to be a great contribution for people on the autism spectrum. Of course, I was biased since I had read papers by many of its authors. I find admirable the wisdom of the answers provided in the various chapters to Phil Schwarz's question 'What mix of change in the society, as well as change in the individual, should we strive for?' Indeed, society as a whole must become more aware of autism and Asperger Syndrome, but individuals who live with these syndromes must be allowed to acquire the potential to become self-advocates too. I hope that this book will be translated into many languages."
- Paul Trehin, Vice President Autism Europe, Cagnes sur Mer, France

"Self-disclosure is inherently personal - and so is this book. Written by six people on the autism spectrum, it reveals the complex perceptions and behaviors that often limit access to educational opportunities, social groups, and employment for individuals with these disorders. This remarkable text enlightens theory and gives clear instruction on the necessity for self-knowledge in achieving a better life in matters of everyday living."
- Gerald S. Fain, Ph.D., Professor, School of Education, Boston University

"Finally, a book with concrete 'how-to' and 'what-to-say' advice. Here are the answers to 'what to say to other people,' written by mentors with personal experience. I like the way the authors stress how people with autism have abilities that make them different (and encourage them to be able to identify and explain their differences) from the vast majority of people they interact with. That is so much more positive than saying, 'I have autism or I have Asperger Syndrome.'"
- Angela Collins, President, Autism Society of America-Greater Georgia