Chantal

“If you are accepting of the belief that life can be good even with autism, then they will think so, too. You are the most important person in your child's life, and you can make them believe that anything is possible.”
― Chantal Sicile-Kira, A Full Life with Autism: From Learning to Forming Relationships to Achieving Independence

“There is a perception that because individuals with autism have challenges in the area of communication and social skills, they are not interested in having friends. This is not so. Adults with autism may be socially isolated, but it is not always indicative of a preference for solitude.”
― Chantal Sicile-Kira, A Full Life with Autism: From Learning to Forming Relationships to Achieving Independence

“There are a few things that need to occur for our loved ones to have more relationships. First, they must learn some social skills and competencies -- especially so for those who are independent and often on their own, so that they will not become victimized by others and can make some connections. Second, for those who require it, they need to have support staff who understand movement differences and sensory challenges and how to include a nonverbal person who uses alternative means of communication. Last, but not least, for friendship to occur, people need to have an open mind, be more flexible, and be more accepting of people with differences.”
― Chantal Sicile-Kira, A Full Life with Autism: From Learning to Forming Relationships to Achieving Independence

“Women partners of men with Asperger's Syndrome have mentioned qualities such as quiet, kind, strong, and attentive as what attracted them to their partners. The man may be perceived as a "silent stranger" due to lack of social and conversational skills, but there is the possibility that his social naivete and immaturity can be changed by a partner who is a natural expert on empathy, socializing, and conversation.”
― Chantal Sicile-Kira, A Full Life with Autism: From Learning to Forming Relationships to Achieving Independence