Reviews Archives - Spectrum Women

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Event Review: Attwood & Garnett Events 1 day Conference ‘Women & Girls with Autism’ Senate House, London 17 Jan 2020 by Yvonne Moore, Mixed Media Artist.

January 24, 2020 Spectrum Women

I recently attended the final day of the three-day Attwood & Garnett Masterclass programme focusing on Autistic Women and Girls as part of a 200 seated delegated conference. This was made up of autistic individuals of all ages (diagnosed, self-diagnosed in the process of self-identification or pursuing a diagnosis), professionals, parents, at the beautiful Senate House in Bloomsbury central London. This building is famous for its links to iconic films such as The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawntreader, Batman Begins: The Dark Knight Rises and in more recent times has played host to several BBC TV series such […]

Book Releases

‘KNOW YOUR SPECTRUM!’ – BOOK REVIEW AND INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR FINN MONAGHAN

February 9, 2019 Spectrum Women

Interview by Maura Campbell, Spectrum Women Senior Editor and Features Writer Finn Monaghan is a Northern Ireland based specific learning difficulties teacher working as a freelance Autism and Dyslexia Tutor and Disability Needs Assessor at Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University. She received a late diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome, aged 38, and the impact of growing up without a diagnosis inspired her to write a book to help autistic teenagers recognise their own individual spectrum of autism. Maura: Why did you think a book like this was needed? Finn: I found it difficult to grow up with undiagnosed autism and […]

Book Releases

“FIFTEEN THINGS THEY FORGOT TO TELL YOU ABOUT AUTISM” — BOOK REVIEW AND INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR DEBBY ELLEY

May 12, 2018 Spectrum Women

Interview by Maura Campbell, Spectrum Women Features Writer. I just blitzed through the book I wish I could have read when my son was diagnosed with autism eight years ago. Fifteen Things They Forgot To Tell You About Autism, penned by Debby Elley, one of the driving forces behind Aukids magazine, was published in April and is already attracting great reviews. I can see why. Debby’s book is packed with helpful advice and practical tips based on what she’s learned over the years as a mother of twin autistic boys. It reads like a conversation with a wise and trusted […]

Featured

‘DINA’ – MOVIE REVIEW

January 24, 2018 Spectrum Women

by Maura Campbell Dina (2017) is an unconventional love story featuring an autistic couple, Dina Buno and Scott Levin, and was the recipient of the U.S. Documentary Grand Jury Prize at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. The movie charts the weeks leading up to Dina and Scott’s wedding day. From a touchingly intimate yet unobtrusive viewpoint, it reveals some of the pivotal moments in their relationship. Dina succeeds in smashing several of the pervasive stereotypes about disability and personal relationships, and we see some beautifully tender moments as this engaging couple navigate their changing circumstances against the backdrop of suburban […]

Book Releases

BOOK REVIEW: Am I Autistic? by Lydia Andal

January 19, 2017 Spectrum Women

AM I AUTISTIC? A guide to Autism & Asperger’s Self-Diagnosis for Adults By Lydia Andal Published by New Idealist Limited, London Review by Terri Mayne International Aspergirl Society UK Ambassador “Am I Autistic?” is a refreshing and positive book about autism in adults, focusing on autistic adults without learning difficulties. What makes this book stand out is that the author demonstrates the things that autistics can do, and do well, and not just what they can’t do. Lydia Andal uses the phrase “Professional Autistic” to perfectly describe the autistic who has a career, lives independently yet may find it difficult […]

BOOK REVIEW: The A to Z of ASDs, Aunt Aspie’s Guide to Life by Rudy Simone

December 30, 2016 Spectrum Women

Review by Jen Elcheson International Aspergirl Society Ambassador Western Canada Have you ever wondered if there was an easy to navigate dictionary that also worked as a guidebook for all things pertaining to being on the autism spectrum? Aunt Aspie aka Rudy Simone, Aspergirl Agony Aunt extraordinaire and bestselling author of many books on Asperger’s, has you covered. Aunt Aspie’s Guide to Life is a comprehensive, straightforward, and witty tome that can be read in any order one wishes. With a variety of relevant A to Z topics arranged alphabetically from ‘abnormal’ to ‘zen meditation’, it aims to educate and enlighten, and […]

Book Releases

BOOK REVIEW: The Chalk Rainbow

July 24, 2017 Spectrum Women

The Chalk Rainbow – Deborah Kelly & Gwynneth Jones Publisher: Exisle Publishing Price: $24.99 Ages: 4- 8 years Specifications: Hardback | 215 x 288 mm | Colour | 32 Pages | Bundled with Teachers Notes Download Zone Independent review by Linda Wemyss The Chalk Rainbow, by Deborah Kelly (author of the Ruby Wishfinger series), and illustrated by Gwynneth Jones, is a story about Zane and his sister. Written in first person from the point of view of Zane’s sister (her name is not revealed), we learn that there are many things about Zane that are different: he has his own language, […]

Book Releases

The Wonderful World of Work. A Workbook for Asperteens.

July 6, 2016 Spectrum Women

The Wonderful World of Work. A Workbook for Asperteens by Jeanette Purkis JESSICA KINGSLEY PUBLISHERS Footprint Books www.footprint.com.au RRP AU$38.95 print Contents: Introduction. 1. Why Should You Go to Work? 2. What Kind of Work Do You Want to Do? 3. Your Own Unique Skills and Attributes – The Best Thing that You Have! 4. School, University, Skills and Work. 5. Getting the Most Out of Employment Services. 6. Working – What’s Involved? And How Do You Get a Job? 7. Get that Job! (Includes CVs, Interviews and Referees). 8. Volunteering – The Giving Keeps on Giving – to You! […]

COLOUR CODING FOR LEARNERS WITH AUTISM

June 19, 2016 Spectrum Women

COLOUR CODING FOR LEARNERS WITH AUTISM A Resource Book for Creating Meaning through Colour at Home and School By Adele Devine Jessica Kingsley Publishers RRP AU$53.95 print – Footprint Books Review by Barb Cook – Editor-in-Chief – Spectrum Women Magazine Colour Coding for Learners with Autism is a fun and motivational learning tool for children on the autism spectrum. Often visual learners, children on the spectrum will find this book engaging whilst giving them a secure learning environment. The author’s extensive background as a special needs teacher working with children with autism, has allowed her to develop this effective colour […]