The Complete Guide to Becoming an Autism-Friendly Professional

It is estimated that 1 in 54 individuals will receive a diagnosis of autism and the rate of diagnosis has consistently risen for the last few decades. This means more autistic children and adults are present in community life, educational settings, and the workforce than ever before, and this number is highly likely to grow. The need for information to help non autistic individuals gain a clearer understanding of autism has never been more necessary. Based on the award-winning Autism Friendly Training Program, created by the non-profit organization Stars for Autism, this book empowers the everyday professional to a better understanding and process in working with, interacting with, providing services, and teaching autistic children and adults.After a thorough explanation of autism and how it affects children, adults, families, and communities, this guide describes the Autism Friendly Training Program and gives the reader insight into what it means to become autism friendly and to be an autism friendly training presenter. This text will enable those who are neurotypical to gain insight into the person, the stories, and the lives of autistic children, adults, and their families. It is a guide to understanding autism at a deeper level to enable relationship and support processes that define being autism friendly.Providing the needed information, tools, and confidence to be autism friendly, this book will be beneficial to any and all businesses, organizations, groups, communities, families, and individuals who work with, serve, interact with, teach, parent, and experience life with someone on the autism spectrum.