Temple Grandin is one of the world’s most accomplished and well known adults with autism. She has a PhD in animal science from the University of Illinois and is a professor at Colorado State University. She is the author of six books, including the national bestsellers Thinking in Pictures and Animals in Translation. Dr. Grandin is a past member of the board of directors of the Autism Society of America. She lectures to parents and teachers throughout the U.S. on her experiences with autism, and her work has been covered in the New York Times, People, National Public Radio, and 20/20. Most recently she was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of the year. The HBO movie based on her life, starring Claire Danes, received seven Emmy Awards.

Karen Krejcha is Executive Director of Autism Empowerment, a 501c3 non-profit Karen and her husband, John Krejcha co-founded in Vancouver, WA in June 2011.

Autism Empowerment is dedicated to enriching and empowering the lives of children, teens, adults and families in the Autism and Asperger communities. The vision we work toward is an inclusive society that accepts and respects all youth and adults on the autism spectrum and empowers each person to reach his or her highest potential.

Autism Empowerment offers innovative and inspiring programs, trainings and services and opportunities for leadership and volunteerism for those within and supporting the Autism and Asperger community.

She is host of Autism Empowerment Radio, a national podcast which features educational and inspirational programming. Karen was published as an Aspie Mentor in “Been There, Done That, Try This, An Aspie’s Guide to Life on Earth” (2014), was co-author of the “Autism and Scouting Leadership Training Kit” (2013) and had a story in “Chicken Soup for the Soul – 101 Inspirational Stories for Parents of Children with Autism and Asperger’s” (2013).

She currently serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of Spectrums Magazine and has been part of the Clark County Leadership Development & Advocacy Training Program for developmental disability advocates since 2012.

Karen was diagnosed on the autism spectrum later in life after her two sons (now 7 and 14) were diagnosed in 2008.

She was awarded with the 2012 GRASP (Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership) Distinguished Spectrumite Medal. In 2013, she was honored as a 2013 Washington state Jefferson Award winner, a Nobel Prize for community and public service.

Prior to her work with Autism Empowerment, Karen and her husband owned their own online collectibles business for 15 years. Previously, Karen was an amateur, collegiate and professional bowler who toured professionally with the Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour and represented the United States overseas in international competition.

God, marriage, her sons, her parents and fulfilling her calling with Autism Empowerment are her greatest joys.

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Paul Isaacs is an adult diagnosed with Autism in 2010 & Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome in 2012 as a young child he was non-verbal and appeared both deaf and blind he didn't gain functional speech between the ages of 7 or 8 years old.

He went through mainstream school with misunderstandings and bullying from both students and teachers the same happened during his early years in employment.

In 2010 he presented his first speech for a local company called Autism Oxford and currently still works their as a trainer, speaker and consultant in Autism presenting speeches in the UK on a range of topics such as sensory issues, communication profiles, learning profiles, mental health, co-conditions, employment, education and more.

Paul has currently released 5 Books his autobiography Living Through The Haze, Life Through A Kaleidoscope (about visual processing), A Pocket Size Practical Guide for Parents, Professionals and People on the Autistic Spectrum Foreword by Prof. Tony Attwood & Understanding & Supporting Autistic Students In Specialized Schools & Autism Inside Perceptions of Communication, Interaction, Thoughts & Feelings Foreword By Susan Rowling.

He has also endorsed Jennifer O' Tooles Asperkids Book Not So Average Coloring Book in 2013 and is apart of the Asperkids Advisors of Awesomeness.

Here are some examples of feedback from people who have heard Paul speak.

"Paul was one of the most inspirational speakers I have heard and all the

parents felt the same."

"I really feel that all my staff need to hear him talk. He has such an

incredible insight into his own challenges and to be able to vocalise this

is so helpful for us as teachers.I would really like Paul to speak to our staff so that they also have the opportunity to learn about the challenges many of our pupils are probably having and are not able to vocalise."

"I feel all teachers who are working with young people on the autistic

spectrum should gain the experience and knowledge that Paul can offer."

His first book "Living Through The Haze" has been widely praised by professionals including Professor Tony Attwood and Dr Michelle Garnett. Paul continues to present speeches, training and consultancy as well as publishing books.

This is his message

"Do not fear people with Autism, embrace them, Do not spite people with Autism unite them, Do not deny people with Autism accept them for then their abilities will shine"

Tony Attwood is a practising Clinical Psychologist who specialises in the field of Asperger's Syndrome. For the last 25 years he has met and worked with several hundred individuals with this syndrome, ranging widely in age, ability and background.

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An author in two diverse genres, former marketer, website developer, documentary filmmaker and banjo player, Craig Evans is fascinated by both Traditional Music and autism. His latest book about Traditional Music and the Community that celebrates it, based on his 3 DVD documentary series: Conversations with North American Banjo Builders, Conversations with Old-time Performers and Old-time Conversations. The Banjo Builders is now at Smithsonian Folkways. The later two series can be viewed at oldtimeconversations. Craig's latest book: Old-time Conversations: Finding Health, Happiness and Community Through Traditional Music can be purchased here.

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Earlier in his career, Craig wrote two books about autism, both with Dr. Tony Attwood, a leading, world authority on the condition (see below). Craig was first exposed to Asperger's in 2003 through his stepchild. At that time, autism research contained little information on how to not just "survive" with the condition, but "thrive." The focus was more on cures and causes. But for the 12-17 million directly affected by the 300,000+ living with the condition, insights into daily living were sorely needed. Experienced in building websites for corporate brands (USBank, 3M, Peace Corps), in 2008 Craig decided to build a personal site dedicated to finding positive news, research and tips on "thriving with autism." For the next 8 years, Craig operated Autism Hangout* - a resource dedicated to this cause.

*Autism Hangout was an online community of 2,500 members designed to bring timely, relevant information on how to live with autism to family, care-takers, educators, medical professionals and others dealing daily with those with the condition. Autism Hangout also offered social networking opportunities similar to Youtube and Facebook to those on the spectrum. During the 8 years Autism Hangout was active, Craig Skype interviewed over 300 experts including researchers, authors and other thought leaders for their advice for how best to thrive with autism. Most of those conversations can still be found on the Autism Hangout channel on youtube along with close to 70 segments of the Ask Dr. Tony Question and Answer video series that ended in 2024.

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In 2015, Craig Evans, Dr. Tony Attwood and Anita Lesko produced "Been There. Done That. Try This!" - The book contained the first-hand wisdom of an all-star cast of Aspie Mentors on how they dealt with the 17 most stressing, pressing issues in the life of someone with Asperger's. Here's a write up:

If you only buy one book to improve your life this year, make it this one.

Temple Grandin, Liane Holliday Willey, Anita Lesko, Stephen M. Shore, and many other Aspie mentors, offer their personal guidance on coping with the daily stressors that Aspies have identified as being the most significant, in order of urgency - anxiety, self-esteem, change, meltdowns, depression, friendship, love, and much, much more. Based on years of personal experience, this book is packed with advice from Aspie mentors who have all been there and done that!

World expert Dr. Tony Attwood rounds up each chapter with professional analysis and extensive recommendations. He includes essential information on destructive strategies that may look attractive, but that have counter-productive effects.

Including full color artwork from Aspie artists showing visually how they interpret each stressor, this is THE inspirational guide to life for young adults, the newly diagnosed, and as a life-long reference for anyone on the spectrum - written by Aspies for Aspies.

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In 2018, Craig Evans and Dr. Tony Attwood produced "Ask Dr. Tony" - a second book of Dr. Tony Attwood's invaluable advice on how someone with autism could best deal with life's daily issues. The book was recognized by BookAuthority as a Winner of the "Best Autism Books of All Time." Here are two write-ups:

Dr. Tony Attwood and Craig Evans are pleased to introduce "Ask Dr. Tony", their second book together. The book is a compilation of 50 episodes of the Autism Hangout question-and-answer program video series in which Dr. Tony Attwood directly addresses the most pressing questions of those touched by autism. It also included Bonus Sections of questions and answers from specific groups such as parents, teachers, public servants, social workers and more. This book is an invaluable resource to keep helpful information present and available to the public. Their mutual goal? Thriving with Autism!

— Future Horizons Publishing

“Distilled from years of discussion on the “Ask Dr. Tony” show, Craig and Tony gift the autism community with easy-to-understand explanations combined with practical solutions for addressing some of the most vexing challenges facing in- dividuals on the autism spectrum. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking greater appreciation of ASD individuals as an expression of the diversity of the human gene pool. In summary, the best of Dr. Tony Attwood brought to you by Craig Evans!”

— Stephen Mark Shore, EdD, internationally known educator, author, and presenter on topics related to autism

Henny Kupferstein, Ph.D. is a psychologist with a specialization on autism research. She is trained in music therapy, is an autistic autism researcher, parent of autistic children, and piano pedagogy scientist. Dr. Kupferstein is also a musical savant with absolute pitch and synesthesia, an autistic scholar, composer, and researcher.

Henny’s research interests include perfect pitch, sensory integration, and autism. She is classically trained in piano, voice, and guitar. Henny also enjoys African drumming, Klezmer music, free improvisation and composing. Her current work focuses on advocacy, research, and scholarship. Please contact Henny @ http://www.hennyk.com about sensory and education consulting, piano lessons, and composing opportunities.

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Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Liane Holliday Willey,EdD is a bestselling author, motivational speaker, and autism advocate. Liane's Doctorate of Education with a specialty in pschyolinguistics, along with her personal Aspie experiences, makes her uniquely qualified to speak on learning differences, diversity in the workplace, and to advocate for those on the Autism Spectrum. An expanded version of her most renowned book, Pretending to be Normal, will be re-released this summer.

Liane spends her free time with her family, the horses at her equestrian show barn, books and the TV. You can read Liane's blog at her website ~ aspie.com