Ruth Elaine Joyner Hane, lives with her husband, Jay, in
Minneapolis. Their lives are enriched by four grown children, a
daughter-in-law, son-in-law, two baby grandsons, three cats and
many goldfish. Ruth Elaine is midwest director for the Autism
Society of America's board of directors and serves on various ASA
committees. In addition to consulting with individuals who are
challenged with issues of physical and emotional health and
well-being, she leads Serenity Circles for developing emotional
intelligence, presents workshops on Chi Energy, Avoiding Burnout in
the Age of Anxiety, Finding Joy at the Holidays, and Energy
Boundaries. Ruth Elaine coaches people within the spectrum of
autism, teaching them what she has learned, and facilitates two
social groups. She is a contributing author to Sharing Our Wisdom,
a collection of public presentations.
Kassiane Alexandra Sibley is an independent young adult,
tumbling coach, special education major, tutor to children on the
autism spectrum, and co-teacher of a ballet class for autistic and
Asperger children. She has spoken locally and nationally and has
also published articles in several publications, and never misses a
chance to spread public awareness. Like many Aspies her age,
Kassiane was improperly diagnosed before discovering the autism
spectrum at the age of 18. In addition to her autism activities,
Kassiane competes in power tumbling, for which she recently won the
Amanda Howe Sunshine Memorial Award for Sportsmanship. Diagnosed
with 'atypical development with strong autistic tendencies,'.
Stephen Shore was viewed as 'too sick' to be treated on an
outpatient basis and recommended for institutionalization.
Nonverbal until the age of 4, with much help from his parents,
teachers, and others, Stephen is now completing his doctoral degree
in special education at Boston University with a focus on helping
people on the autism spectrum develop their capacities to the
fullest extent possible. In addition to working with children and
talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen presents and
consults nationally and internationally on adult issues pertinent
to advocacy and disclosure, education, relationships, and
employment. He also serves on the board of the Autism Society of
America, as board president of the Asperger's Association of New
England, and is on the Board of Directors for Unlocking Autism, the
Autism Services Association of Massachusetts, and MAAP services.
Stephen is executive director of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Consulting and adjunct faculty at Salem State College and Emerson
College.
Roger Meyer lives in Gresham, Oregon, a Portland suburb.
During his 26-year career as a union cabinetmaker, he volunteered
evenings and weekends as a young-adult counselor, community
organizer, apprentice instructor and community mediator. At the age
of 56 he left cabinetmaking to work full time with people. Author
of Asperger Syndrome Employment Workbook, he is owner of a
comprehensive disability case management consulting and advocacy
firm Of A Different Mind. Roger facilitates the Portland Asperger
Syndrome adult support group and co-facilitates the Portland AS
Partners group. He meets monthly with clinicians from multiple
disciplines to develop best practices in counseling children,
adolescents and adults with AS. Roger is also involved in
nondisability community politics. He is a member of the Multnomah
County Community Housing and Development Commission and chair of
the Rockwood Neighborhood Association.
Phil Schwarz is vice president of the Asperger's Association
of New England (AANE), and has been a member of Autism Network
International (ANI) since 1994.
As soon as I opened the first pages of this book, I knew that it
was going to be a great contribution for people on the autism
spectrum. Of course, I was biased since I had read papers by many
of its authors. I find admirable the wisdom of the answers provided
in the various chapters to Phil Schwarz's question 'What mix of
change in the society, as well as change in the individual, should
we strive for?' Indeed, society as a whole must become more aware
of autism and Asperger Syndrome, but individuals who live with
these syndromes must be allowed to acquire the potential to become
self-advocates too. I hope that this book will be translated into
many languages." — Paul Trehin, Vice President Autism Europe,
Cagnes sur Mer, France
"Self-disclosure is inherently personal - and so is this book.
Written by six people on the autism spectrum, it reveals the
complex perceptions and behaviors that often limit access to
educational opportunities, social groups, and employment for
individuals with these disorders. This remarkable text enlightens
theory and gives clear instruction on the necessity for
self-knowledge in achieving a better life in matters of everyday
living." — Gerald S. Fain, Ph.D., Professor, School of Education,
Boston University
"Finally, a book with concrete 'how-to' and 'what-to-say' advice.
Here are the answers to 'what to say to other people,' written by
mentors with personal experience. I like the way the authors stress
how people with autism have abilities that make them different (and
encourage them to be able to identify and explain their
differences) from the vast majority of people they interact with.
That is so much more positive than saying, 'I have autism or I have
Asperger Syndrome.'" — Angela Collins, President, Autism Society of
America-Greater Georgia
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