Walking The Talk

Edited by Stephen Shore

July 2004

What greater testimony to the power of self-advocacy and disclosure than the latest book from AAPC co-written by six adults on the autism spectrum.

Edited by Stephen Shore, author of Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self- Advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum aims to help people with autism effectively self-advocate in their pursuit of independent, productive, and fulfilling lives.

Ask and Tell is unique by being the first book to speak to the twin issues of self-advocacy and disclosure for people with autism and by consisting exclusively – including the cover art and the preface by Temple Grandin – of contributions by those on the autism spectrum for persons with autism.

Following Temple Grandin's preface are six chapters, all by people on the autism spectrum.

	Ruth Elaine Hane/Communicating Through Advocacy and Self-Disclosure: Four Ways to Connect
	Kassiane Sibley/Help Me Help Myself: Teaching and Learning
	Stephen Shore/Using the IEP to Build Skills in Self-Advocacy and Disclosure
	Roger Meyer/Being Your Own Case Manager
	Phil Schwarz/Building Alliances: Community Identity and the Role of Allies in Autistic Self-Advocacy
	Liane Willey/Disclosure and Self-Advocacy: An Open Door Policy

Successful self-advocacy involves a degree of disclosure about oneself that often carries some degree of risk, in an effort to reach a goal of better mutual understanding. The book offers countless practical ideas and advice adjusted for different personalities and personal preferences, and always backed by the real-life experiences of the authors. In addition to individuals on the spectrum, the book is a must for parents, teachers, counselors, and representatives from the numerous agencies that work with people with autism spectrum conditions.

Moving from specific examples and practical steps on the individual level to effecting change at the community level, this book aims to help people on the autism spectrum self-advocate more effectively in their pursuit of independent, productive, and fulfilling lives.

This book is one small effort by six people on the autism spectrum focused on empowering individuals on the autism spectrum, their community and allies to join hands to achieve more meaningful, productive and fulfilling lives for the greater good of society.

Find more about this groundbreaking book at Stephen Shore's website, www.autismasperger.net

"We each have our own way of living in the world, together we are like a symphony.
Some are the melody, some are the rhythm, some are the harmony
It all blends together, we are like a symphony, and each part is crucial.
We all contribute to the song of life."
...Sondra Williams

We might not always agree; but TOGETHER we will make a difference.

Updated 06/18/2005