5 out of 5 stars
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Life Coaching for Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Discovering Your True Potential is a highly educational and insightful self-help book written by Jaclyn Hunt that gives a practical guide to people with ASD, life coaches, and parents who have children with ASD.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. Usually, people with ASD have issues with interacting with others, paying attention, and oftentimes developing an interest in a particular thing. Some people see ASD as a mental illness, but Jaclyn believes that ASD is a social and communicative disorder that does not only require therapy and medication but also intense social and communication training. According to the author, "The purpose of this book is to raise awareness about the side of autism not easily seen by simply looking at a person from the outside."
Originally, she intended to study computer science but quickly changed her career path because she did not have sufficient math knowledge. She studied psychology at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, before going on to earn her master’s degree in the behavioral sciences with a specialization in psychological services at Kean University in Union, NJ. As a life coach, she noticed there was little to no information and practical approaches for treating autism. Driven by the passion to render selfless service, she decided to create her own technique for treating ASD. That passion drove her to write this book.
The book is a practical guide for people with ASD, but it can also be helpful to neurotypicals. The book is divided into two sections. The purpose of the first section is to give the reader a thorough overview of living with ASD in adulthood and the expectations that come with being an adult. She not only gives tips and advice to people on the spectrum, but she also dishes out helpful tips to parents who may have a child on the spectrum. These tips have proven to go a long way, as many clients have attested to her effective therapy sessions. These tips have also helped many with ASD socialize better and live independently. Body language and purposeful eye contact are two of the many tools she uses to teach them cognitive skills.
The author took her time and explained the effects of high school on people with ASD. Academic workload and lots of social activities in high school could be overwhelming for ASD students. Bullying was one topic that was discussed. Bullying can have a long-term effect on a person. The trauma itself can create low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. The second part talks about the transition stages of graduating high school, preparing for college, looking for a job, living independently, and even building relationships. I got to understand that ASD students tend to experience puberty at a slower rate than neurotypicals. This and many other issues create fear and anxiety in people with ASD.
One thing I loved about this book was the testimonials from Jaclyn's clients. At intervals, we get to read messages from her past clients and their appraisals of her effective method of therapy that produced optimistic results in their children who are on the spectrum. This was a ray of sunshine, to say the least, because anyone can see that her methods of therapy have been tested and tried.
One noteworthy statement from one of her clients was, "I found her to be inspiring, supportive, optimistic, and the "seeing the greatness in everyone" type of life coach." This statement couldn't be more true. She goes all out in helping anyone on the spectrum navigate through the difficulties of life.
I learned so much from this book, and I got a better understanding of autism spectrum disorder and people living with it. Her purpose for writing this book was to create awareness, and she did it in an easy, clear, and fluid manner with her writing. I found absolutely nothing to dislike about this book, and I will be happy to recommend it to anyone who is on the spectrum, parents who have children with ASD, and life coaches who are looking to expand their knowledge on autism and possibly learn more effective methods of therapy for people with ASD.
The book was professionally edited, and I am more than happy to give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars because it ticks all the boxes.
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Life Coaching for Adults on the Autism Spectrum
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