This book delves deeply into the experiences of autistic adults, providing comprehensive insights into potential professional paths and the psychological hurdles they may face in adulthood. It illuminates the experiences of autistics in professional fields like medicine, music, teaching, therapy, and sex work, alongside challenges like gender identity, eating disorders, dissociative disorders, and professional stagnation. Theoretical chapters offer differentiations between autism and other psychiatric conditions; describe autistic thinking in terms of a disrupted integration between primary and secondary processes; provide a matrix for mapping various manifestations of autism; and outline support strategies tailored for autistics, therapists, government systems and future research. Geared towards the ever-expanding audience of autistic individuals and mental health professionals, this book provides valuable insights into previously underexplored experiences to foster more understanding and validation.
Sagit Blumrosen-Sela is a clinical psychologist holding a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her contributions span both literature and psychology, encompassing works such as "Personality Disorders in Israeli Literature" (Resling, 2017), "Asperger's Lost Generation" (Resling, 2021), and "Autistic People Among Us" (Hebrew Version) (Resling, 2023). With substantial recognition and success of her autism-related books in Israel, she has emerged as a prominent authority in the field. Her expertise is rooted in extensive clinical experience with autistic individuals, coupled with important theoretical advancements.
Introduction Acknowledgments Part I: Professional Pathways for Autistic Adults 1 Autistic Doctors 2 Autistic Therapists 3 Autistic Musicians 4 Autistic Teachers 5 Other Professional Arenas Where Autistics May Be Found Part II: Challenges in the Lives of Autistic Adults 6 Autism and Eating Disorders 7 Autism and Gender Diversity 8 Klinefelter Syndrome and Autism 9 Autistics in the Sex Industry 10 Autism and Dissociative Disorders 11 Autistics Who Seem to be "Stuck" Part III: Broader Theoretical Perspectives 12 Autistics Misdiagnosed with Wrong Diagnoses 13 The Disrupted Integration between Primary and Secondary Processes in Autistic Thinking 14 A Proposed Matrix for the Categorization of Autistic People 15 Endnote: Ways to Assist Autistic Adults References Index About the Author
