Life and Love: Positive Strategies for Autistic Adults [Paperback]

Zosia Zaks (Author), Temple Grandin (Foreword) (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 11, 2006

Written for adults on the spectrum and those involved parents, spouses, friends this book is divided into two sections: life and love. In the life section, the author describes and suggests concrete ways to deal with some of the issues and problems faced by those on the autism spectrum. Examples include how to accommodate sensory issues, maintain a home, and manage a career. In the love section, instead of focusing on one topic, the author includes a broad spectrum of suggestions for different types of relationships and weaves these together with the core concept of self-esteem.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Her kind and organized style helps to lessen anxiety and assist readers in gaining independence." -- Pat Schissel, CSW, president, AHA/AS/PDD, parent of an adult with Asperger Syndrome, and adjunct faculty, Long Island University, C.W. Post

"Turn to Life and Love when youÂ’re ready to tackle new challenges. Here youÂ’ll find thoughtful, practical solutions!" -- Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D., executive director, ASPIE School, author of ElijahÂ’s Cup

"Turn to Life and Love when you’re ready to tackle new challenges. Here you’ll find thoughtful, practical solutions!” --Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D., executive director, ASPIE School, author of Elijah’s Cup

"What a gift! The first book I have read that simplifies life with autism without being simplistic." -- Dena L. Gassner, MSW, Center for Understanding

“Her kind and organized style helps to lessen anxiety and assist readers in gaining independence.” --Pat Schissel, CSW, president, AHA/AS/PDD, parent of an adult with Asperger Syndrome, and adjunct faculty, Long Island University, C.W. Post

“What a gift! The first book I have read that simplifies life with autism without being simplistic.” --Dena L. Gassner, MSW, Center for Understanding

“Her kind and organized style helps to lessen anxiety and assist readers in gaining independence.” --Pat Schissel, CSW, president, AHA/AS/PDD, parent of an adult with Asperger Syndrome, and adjunct faculty, Long Island University, C.W. Post

“What a gift! The first book I have read that simplifies life with autism without being simplistic.” --Dena L. Gassner, MSW, Center for Understanding

About the Author

Zosia Zaks has Asperger Syndrome. Although she completed her masterÂ’s degree in technical journalism from Polytechnic University in 2000 and held a variety of writing and editing jobs, it was various vocational and social challenges that led to her diagnosis at age 31. Now, with a clearer understanding of autism and how it impacts her life, Zosia has managed to face these challenges with creative ideas and innovative compromises. She now works as a heavy equipment operator in the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825. This type of work allows her to go from project to project and is concrete in nature. She also runs a website that allows visitors to customize jewelry. Additionally, she lectures and conducts workshops nationally on issues of importance to the autistic community; consults with families, couples, and adults on the spectrum to find ways to meet challenges based on autistic strengths; and serves on the Advisory Board of GRASP, the Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership. She is married to her partner Gena. They live just outside New York City with their fifteen-month-old twin daughters, Ruby and Eislyn, and their cat, Zero.

Product Details

• Paperback: 367 pages
• Publisher: Autism Asperger Publishing Company (July 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931282935
• ISBN-13: 978-1931282932
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #489,459 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An utterly invaluable guide for autism-spectrum adults, December 8, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life and Love: Positive Strategies for Autistic Adults (Paperback)

Zosia Zaks, who was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at age 31, presents a "peer-to-peer" guide for fellow adults with Asperger's and high-functioning autism drawn from the creative strategies she has devised to cope since her childhood, in Life and Love: Positive Strategies for Autistic Adults. Chapters discuss practical means for handling sensory issues including strategies for navigation, how to facilitate maintaining a clean and orderly home, how to shop for necessities without becoming distracted or vulnerable to impulse purchases, health care and vocational challenges, issues to keep in mind when dating from health and safety concerns to inappropriate versus appropriate behavior, things to keep in mind when trying to make autism spectrum/non-spectrum relationships work, advice for when and how to disclose one's autism spectrum diagnosis, and much more. An utterly invaluable guide for autism-spectrum adults to dealing with the large and small trials of ordinary life one day at a time.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Only Minor Drawbacks, June 24, 2008

By 

William B. Swift (Cumberland, MD, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Life and Love: Positive Strategies for Autistic Adults (Paperback)

I agree with the other reviewers that this is an excellent book that should be read by everyone on the autism spectrum.

The only drawback is that she writes from the viewpoint of her own particular disabilities. Several times she suggested getting help from others, which was useless for me since approaching others is my biggest problem. She also spent a greater part of the book going on about sensory issues - some autists have few sensory problems until they are already stressed from other issues.

The most helpful part of the book for me was the sections on dealing with "Executive functioning" issues - bathing, doing dishes, cleaning house - regularly. I had made significant improvement on some areas before reading it, but it helped me to see why I had so much trouble, and to extend my improvement to other areas.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Tool for Older Teens & Adults on the Autism Spectrum - Navigational Tool through Sensory & Social Issues, August 18, 2007

By 

Joanna Keating-Velasco "Joanna" (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life and Love: Positive Strategies for Autistic Adults (Paperback)

This book is well written and a wonderful tool for older teens on up to adults (on the autism spectrum) to help navigate the world. Many topics covered include: grocery shopping, renting an apartment, traveling, interviewing for a job, housekeeping, family relationships, dating relationships, friends etc. Ms. Zaks breaks down each area into bite sized pieces to help her audience deal with social and sensory issues. She has wonderful down to earth advice like keeping a sensory emergency pack on hand and being prepared for social interactions before they happen. Reading this as a "neuro-typical," I found this to be a terrific resource to help those on the spectrum become more independent by addressing their challenges directly. It's a wonderful book full of easy to follow tools and suggestions. I think every teen with Aspergers graduating high school (and those already out of high school) should obtain this book!! GREAT INSIGHT. Joanna K-V, Author, A IS FOR AUTISM, F IS FOR FRIEND