Spectrum Women

Dr Michelle Garnett, PhD, is an AuDHD clinical psychologist with more than 30 years of experience specialising in autism. In 2019, she co-founded Attwood & Garnett Events with Tony Attwood to enhance autism awareness and understanding globally. Artemisia is an Aspergirl, writer and AS consultant who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yenn Purkis is an autistic and non-binary advocate, author and presenter. Yenn has a Masters degree in Fine Art from RMIT University. Yenn has given a presentation for TEDx Canberra and has been a frequent keynote presenter at autism and disability events for several years. Yenn has a number of awards, including the 2016 ACT Volunteer of the Year award and a number of other awards for community leadership including being nominated for the Australian of the Year award in 2017. Yenn has worked full-time for the Australian Public Service since 2007. They have facilitated a support group for autistic women and gender diverse folks in Canberra since 2011. Yenn has featured in media interviews for many years and was one of four autistic adults featured in the ABC TV documentary Alone in a Crowded Room. Yenn lives in Canberra, Australia.

A friend once told me that getting an autism diagnosis in mid-life was like finding the Rosetta Stone to herself. This marvelously honest and historically important book will be that Rosetta Stone for many women on the spectrum who will recognize aspects of their own lived experience on every page. I am in awe of the practical wisdom and uplifting encouragement assembled here by these wise elders of their tribe.

• Foreword. Preface. Introduction. 1. Finding Your Tribe, Maura Campbell (Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland). 2. Growing up on the Spectrum, Jen Elcheson (Prince George, British Columbia, Canada) & Barb Cook (Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia). 3. Identity: A Beautiful Work in Progress, Artemisia (Planet Earth, Galaxy: Milky Way). 4. Diversity: Gender, Intersectionality and Feminism, Catriona Stewart (Dunblane, Stirlingshire, Scotland, United Kingdom). 5. Personal Relationships, Jen Elcheson (Prince George, British Columbia, Canada) & Anita Lesko (Pensacola, Florida, USA). 6. Socializing, Anxiety and Addictions, Barb Cook (Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia). 7. Personal Safety, Liane Holliday Willey (Michigan, USA). 8. A Real Parent, Samantha Craft (Olympia, Washington, USA). 9. Independence, Barb Cook (Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia). 10. Promoting Positive Employment, Jeanette Purkis (Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia). 11. Our Sensory Worlds, Kate Ross (Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom), Jen Elcheson (Prince George, British Columbia, Canada) & Barb Cook (Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia). 12. Communication, Becca Lory (Long Island, New York, USA). 13. Emotional Regulation, Renata Jurkevythz (Eriskirch, Baden-Württemberg, Germany). 14. Executive Functioning, Terri Mayne (Nottingham, England, United Kingdom), Maura Campbell (Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland) & Kate Ross (Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom). 15. General Health, Kate Ross (Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom) & Anita Lesko (Pensacola, Florida, USA). 16. Autism and Co-Occurring Conditions, Anita Lesko (Pensacola, Florida, USA). 17. Considering Autistic Life and Mental Wellness, Dena Gassner (Long Island, New York, USA). 18. Self-Care, Becca Lory (Long Island, New York, USA), Catriona Stewart (Dunblane, Stirlingshire, Scotland, United Kingdom) & Kate Ross (Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom). 19. Intense Interests, Christine Jenkins (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) & Renata Jurkevythz (Eriskirch, Baden-Württemberg, Germany). 20. And Another Thing...