What Works for Autistic Adults

by Luke Beardon

Imagine a world where an autistic person is included, engaged and cherished for how they are; a world which changes for autistic people, rather than changing the person.

What Works for Autistic Adults  brings the conversation about inclusivity into the forefront and turns it on its head. Instead of modifying the autistic individual and making exceptions or special circumstances, Luke shows how the world can, should and must change to accommodate your needs or those of the autistic person you love, live or work with.

He identifies the aspects that impact on life most - partners, friends, work or college, and environment - and outlines the steps that can and should be taken by everyone involved to create an autism-friendly landscape and improve outcomes all round. Covering every setting, from social situations to office or other professional environments, and in all circumstances, Luke's book shows how no-one should have to struggle to exist within the parameters of a world they don't understand.  What Works for Autistic Adults  will give you the dialogue, tools and starting points to involve every loved one, family member or colleague as advocates for a world where you, or any other autistic adult, can truly flourish.

Genres: Nonfiction, Autistic Spectrum Disorder

147 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2023

Reviews

[Luke Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book of Dr Luke Beardon’s I have read. Consistent with my first read, this is highly effective as a succinct and accessible insight into his take on how the environment should accommodate autistic adults. In addition to his golden equation that threads this short book together, I found his use of the term ‘predominant neurotype’ very interesting. This complemented the environment focus, through avoiding the use of a deficit take on neurodivergence. Very simple case study scenarios are also used to good effect. A specific eye-opener for me was the notion of a skills profile being much spikier for an autistic person, compared with that of the PNT… yet another straightforward model, but one that certainly resonated and gives a lot of food for thought with regards to employment obstacles and challenges experienced by autistic adults.

[alexander shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent starting resource for those with the power to make change in their environments/companies, but not quite as directly applicable to the autistic person or those who interact with them, at least as far as specific strategies. A short, quick read, but also very validating. More than anything else, the thing I took away from this book is a new confidence that I am not the problem. Autism is framed as a disorder, something bad to have, when really it’s only that way because we inconvenience the PNT people. If the world accepted our different brains better, there would be none of the infantilizing or judgement currently going on around autism, and perhaps people would be more willing to learn and accept that the stereotypes they think autism is is not remotely close to the reality, and that autism is a very fluid condition in regards to symptoms between people and within a person day-to-day.

It’s a good book for the autistic person to help gain the ability to self-advocate where accommodations are concerned, and validates the autistic experience more than any other book I’ve read, except perhaps for the book about autistic anxiety by this author.

[Fae Burrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

time to get myself a referral 👍👍👍👍

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-structured, direct, with extremely clear explanations throughout. I massively appreciated the brevity and clear approach. I've read "Autistic Masking" by Pearson and Rose, which is denser, longer, and more academic, and am currently reading "Unmasking Autism" by Devon Price, which is long and quite readable, but the variety of anecdotes in it can actually feel somewhat more alienating than they are inclusive (ie. I don't relate to this experience, does that mean I'm not?)

Beardon has created an excellent condensed primer for understanding one's own needs and what an autism identification/diagnosis might mean. Thorough and pragmatic about possible prejudices, but without being dramatic about things like the cost of masking. It's taxing and horrible, but it isn't a death sentence. It's a navigable challenge, and I needed to read that.

He's also the first person I've read who says that following an autism discovery after being high masking, you might feel like an imposter. His compassion for people who feel like that reached me. Really, really needed to read that. I love his advice of just "trying it on" - just assume you definitely are, and see how it feels. I think I needed the permission.

Excellent short volume, I don't think there's a single question I had which isn't in here with a proper answer.

[James Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, and found it to be affirming and positive whilst offering a very accessible introduction to the specfics of the neurotype. The title suggested a range of strategies and tips, which were not forthcoming. The book would also have beneiftted from directing the reader to legal protections and rights.

Nevertheless, this was illuminating and I am attempting to introduce some of the principles into daily practice.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book.
The insights are super accessible.
Kindly communicated.

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has put into words so many difficulties that I could feel but I couldn’t explain before. It made me feel so much better. Thank you so much for this book.