The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy – Book Review

“The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy”

by Steph Jones,
Forewords by Tony Attwood and Sarah Hendrickx

Publishers: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

I’m delighted to announce that I’ve just received a copy of ‘The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy’ by Steph Jones. Steph, if you’d like to look on our Meet the Team page, is one of our associates.

There are forwards by both Tony Attwood and Sarah Hendrickx, who again many of you know as one of our associates. We are privileged to have such individuals as part of Axia.

I can’t really add much more than the marvellous forwards from Tony Attwood and Sarah Hendrickx, so let me give you an idea of what the book contains. The beginning is about why Steph wrote this book and who the book is for, as well as what she calls the Roadmap to the Survival Guide. She then talks about myths, misdiagnosed, and misunderstood- marvellous alliteration here! 

There is a chapter on trauma, and along with explaining what trauma is, it goes on to pursue why Autistic people are at greater risk for trauma.

The very interesting title of chapter three is ‘Do You See What I See’, where she explores Central Coherence, delayed processing, and the different processing of the world.

Chapter four is about problems that Autistic individuals might encounter, and why the traditional therapy approach might not work.

Therapeutic concepts are explained, using psychological theory and strategies used by Therapists. She presents information about how to choose the right therapy and the right Therapist. 

The final chapter is ‘Does Neurotypical Therapy Work for Neurodivergent Brains’.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book. I will be bringing copies to the Post Diagnostic Support Group for you to borrow.