Life on the Bridge: Linking My World to Yours as an Autistic Therapist

Life on the Bridge: Linking My World to Yours as an Autistic Therapist

The forthcoming hardcover and digital audio editions will feature new material, and a new introduction from Cian O'Clery, director of Netflix's hit series  Love on the Spectrum ! From Autistic Advocate,  Love on the Spectrum  cast member, and therapist Kaelynn Partlow, a warm, personal, and practical guide to understanding autism — from behaviors to communication and beyond. You've heard from autistic authors. You've heard from therapists. Now hear from one extraordinary young woman who's both. Experience autism from the inside out through a rare fusion of professional skill and personal understanding. Reshape what you know about the autism spectrum and increase your ability to give support. Varied perspectives among autistic individuals, their families, and professionals have often been difficult to reconcile. Now, you can bridge that divide with guidance from someone who’s lived in multiple worlds. Find immediate, actionable options to build connections, foster communication, navigate challenges, and enhance interactions. SPECIFIC CONTENT: Autism.  What it is, what it isn’t, and what are the resulting misunderstandings across the spectrum? Communication.  Exactly  how  do you avoid misunderstandings, encourage conversation, and build options for better interaction? Behavior . Learn about the origin and mechanics of meltdowns, stimming, perseveration, sensory distortion, and other common autistic challenges. Interaction.  The struggles are real: autism-enhanced loneliness, social-skill deficits, goal-setting, and the thorny issues of disability accommodation. Common Questions.  What are DSM-V diagnostic levels and why do they matter? What about therapy and ABA or routes to useful advocacy? "Loved Kaelynn Partlow's information on ambiguity and communication. She gives lots of practical pointers on how to be more direct and specific when talking to autistic individuals. Vague, open ended questions are not effective communication."  —  Temple Grandin,  New York Times  bestselling author of  Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions "As a rising star in the field, Partlow is poised to become this generation’s Temple Grandin."  —  Erin R. Hahn, Ph.D., Department Chair and Professor of Psychology, Furman University “Such a great read. I’m so happy Kaelynn has chosen to share her knowledge by writing this book, packed full of insights, advice, and personal experience. Life on the Bridge reminds us that representation matters, that diversity within communities is something to be celebrated rather than homogenized, and that the courage to be vulnerable in service of others is one of the most generous gifts a person can offer. Her advocacy doesn't demand that people change their entire worldview overnight. Instead, it invites them to consider new perspectives, to question their assumptions, and to embrace the beautiful complexity of neurodivergent lives.” - Cian O’Clery, Co-creator, Showrunner, & Director of Love on the Spectrum (from the Introduction) "Loved Kaelynn Partlow's information on ambiguity and communication. She gives lots of practical pointers on how to be more direct and specific when talking to autistic individuals. Vague, open ended questions are not effective communication." - Temple Grandin, New York Times bestselling author of Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions “Partlow blends clinical expertise with her lived experience for this clear-eyed debut guide to understanding autism . . . The result is a compassionate, pragmatic resource.” - Publishers Weekly "Partlow gives practical advice and tackles today’s thorniest issues. The book she was never supposed to be able to write is a must-read for anyone eager to understand autism better. As a rising star in the field, Partlow is poised to become this generation’s Temple Grandin." - Erin R. Hahn, Ph.D., Department Chair and Professor of Psychology, Furman University "In  Life on the Bridge,  Kaelynn Partlow provides a unique perspective on autism as an individual who provides services to individuals with autism and who also has autism herself. Her insights into the world of autism provide both a common sense approach and reveal a wisdom well beyond her years. Her analogies and practical recommendations should be read by parents and family members with a loved one on the autism spectrum, as well as by all healthcare workers serving those with autism and anyone who wants to make the world a better place for us all." - Steven A. Skinner, M.D., President and CEO of the Greenwood Genetic Center "Kaelynn Partlow beautifully chronicles her journey with autism, moving the reader from empathy to change. Her honest storytelling and practical recommendations have transformed the way our team supports and empowers our students who are on the autism spectrum. Life on the Bridg e is a must-read and a call to action." - Stephanie Seay, Assistant