Rachael Lee Harris spent her early childhood locked in an autistic fog until beginning her journey from a fragmented world to one in which things began to make sense. Rachael’s determination to take her place in society led her down many paths, from beauty therapist to Catholic nun, from mother and wife to divorcee and working mom. Today, she is a psychotherapist specializing in helping others on the Autism Spectrum. Rachael’s story explores areas such as schooling, family relationships, employment, travel, and faith culminating in monastic life, motherhood, dating, and marriage. Through her story, we get a more “rounded” positive vision of how an autistic life can develop and insight into the benefits of being “on the spectrum” alongside the very real picture of its challenges. Addressing the culture of disability and negativity that surrounds so much of the public perception of the Autism Spectrum, Rachael presents a more moderate and perhaps more objective assessment of her own life experiences, as well as the potential for others on the Spectrum.
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Autism rates are on the rise, and many parents wonder what the lives of their children may be like in the future. This story of one woman’s experience growing up with Asperger’s illustrates both the experiences and obstacles someone on the spectrum may face—and offers hope that they may lead successful, rewarding, and very rich lives.
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Contents Foreword by Tony Attwood Introduction 1The Wanderer 2School Daze 3Curiouser and Curiouser 4Wired for Wonder 5A Gaze Returned 6A Turn for the Worst 7‘It’s a Living’ 8The Old Country 9A Fork in the Road 10Paris 11The Monastery 12Mirages and Minarets 13Homecoming 14A Cautionary Tale 15Like Mother, Like son 16My Brilliant Career 17Buyer Beware! 18The Prawns of Fate 19‘Physician, Heal Thyself’ Epilogue - Full Circle Bibliography Websites
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From childhood on, Harris knew she was different from other children. . . .Asperger's syndrome had yet to be widely diagnosed, and Harris was labeled by those outside her family as troublesome and uncooperative. In her insightful memoir, Harris recalls vividly her attempts to fit in at school, her search to find a place in the world (which included a three-year stay in a convent), her unhappy marriage, her becoming a mother, and, finally, her successful career as a psychotherapist and advocate. Along the way, she breaks through the usual stereotypes and shares the invaluable perspective of someone on the autism spectrum. Harris is careful to point out the genuine benefits of the syndrome (attention to detail, sensory sensitivity) as well as its challenges and speculates that many talented people have shared this condition. Harris' chronicle is honest and involving and will give readers a useful and uplifting understanding of Asperger's.
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781442244498
Publisert
2015-04-09
Utgiver
Vendor
Rowman & Littlefield
Vekt
490 gr
Høyde
234 mm
Bredde
162 mm
Dybde
23 mm
Aldersnivå
G, 01
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
232

Om bidragsyterne

Rachael Lee Harris is a registered psychotherapist specializing in Asperger’s Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism, providing a unique contribution to the field of Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) therapy and research from her perspective as a woman who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. She continues to improve the quality of life of children and adults on the Autism Spectrum as well as their careers and partners through her private practice, speaking engagements, and retreats. She has also given several academic presentations.