LFA Blog
The Learn From Autistics Blog features regular interviews with autistic people. Read stories and advice from the real experts.
The Learn From Autistics Blog features regular interviews with autistic people. Read stories and advice from the real experts.
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The Learn From Autistics Newsletter is a free monthly resource featuring our most recent blog interviews, the latest autism advocacy and neurodiversity news, and autism advocacy tips.
Learn From Autistics publishes resources teaching about neurodiversity and environmental accommodations based on autistic* input. We understand every autistic person has a voice and that neurotypicals must respect and address the needs expressed by autistics and not dismiss them as flawed because of where they came from.
We believe that autistic input should not be merely sought out as an afterthought or addition to NT advocacy efforts, but rather, that autistic expertise is essential and fundamental to understanding autism.
Our website offers a variety of practical parenting and teaching resources with an emphasis on respecting the voice and dignity of the autistic person.
Testimonials
“It’s easy to forget that adults could not receive an autism diagnosis until the 1990s, and that as a result, autistic children and their parents couldn’t benefit from the lived experiences of people on the spectrum.
Jenna Gensic’s book marks a profound historical shift — the beginning of an era when parents can turn to autistic adults, instead of only to neurotypical ‘experts,’ for advice on helping their kids navigate and learn to thrive in a world that is often confusing and overwhelming. Gensic has gathered a group of wise autistic elders to offer helpful and practical guidance on a broad array of subjects and challenges. An uplifting and encouraging book.”
— Steve Silberman, author, NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity
“Jenna goes directly to the source – autistic people themselves – to gain greater understanding in what children on the spectrum need. Carefully crafted interviewing gifts the reader with vital insights in promoting fulfilling and productive lives for autistic children by working with their strengths, while remaining realistic about the often significant challenges, that come from being autistic.”
—Stephen M. Shore, Ed.D, Internationally known educator, author, consultant, and presenter on issues related to autism
“Wise advice from twelve older autistic people will help teenagers and young adults on the spectrum navigate life. Jenna Gensic’s book will also provide parents and professionals with great insights.”
—Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures, The Autistic Brain
“In her book,What Your Child on the Spectrum Really Needs: Advice From 12 Autistic Adults, Jenna Gensic insightfully explores various angles of autism through interviews and reflection. I thoroughly enjoyed the perspective deep within our spectrum community–those with autism themselves. It is well-written, and very informative.”
— Carrie Cariello, author, What Color is Monday?, Someone I’m With Has Autism
“This book is very important! One of the questions that I am asked most frequently by parents is, ‘How do I parent my child with autism so that he can excel?’ What Your Child Really Needs: Advice From 12 Autistic Adults provides the best insight into answering this question. Autistic adults share valuable information, stories, and tips that brilliantly illustrate how to help children experience life’s triumphs and overcome obstacles that may be placed in their way. Parents, please read this book!!”
— Brenda Smith Myles, PhD, author, Excelling with Autism: Obtaining Critical Mass Using Deliberate Practice, The Hidden Curriculum: Practical Solutions for Understanding Unstated Rules in Social Situations
“There is a revolution underway that is deconstructing damaging myths, and reconstructing more positive and accurate understandings about the autistic experience. Indisputably, the leaders of this revolution are autistic people who have generously shared their first hand experiences. In this essential work, Jenna Gensic, a parent-professional and originator of the LearnfromAutistics.com website, draws from the experience and expertise of 12 autistic adults to take it a step further by offering direct advice for parents and family members. Jenna is to be congratulated for supporting more autistic voices in helping us better understand, support and appreciate the uniqueness autistic children and adults.”
—Barry M. Prizant, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Adjunct Professor, Brown University, author, Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism and The SCERTS Model
“Jenna Gensic has written a book that is a must-read for future and current speech-language pathologists, parents of Autistics, and anyone else who wants an inside look at autism. Read this book and learn from the experts themselves-Autistics. She writes from an angle that does not alienate professionals, yet empowers parents and Autistics themselves. As a professor and speech-language pathologist of over 20 years, I highly recommend this book!” —Jennifer M. Hatfield MHS CCC-SLP/L, Clinical Assistant Professor, Indiana University South Bend
Visit our Resources section or visit our Blog for more ways to connect with the autistic community.
The Learn From Autistics Blog features regular interviews with individuals on the spectrum and promotes their individual work and advocacy efforts.
Leave us a comment or send us a message if there is something you’d like to see.
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*This website uses “identity-first” language (IFL) rather than “person-first” language (PFL) out of respect for many of the contributing blog participants. However, PFL is used in interviews where that is the personal preference of the interviewee.
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