Life Skills Workbook for Teens with Autism and Special Needs: Activities to help develop Independence, Self Advocacy and Self Care

I expect the intentions of this book were good, but in my view it is actually very damaging. I therefore find myself writing what I think might be my first negative review.I borrowed this book to help me decide whether to buy a copy as the title sounded really promising.Concerning elements are present from the start with an incorrect explanation of the autism 'spectrum'. The author describes this in terms of mild to severe, which is not only incorrect but promotes the use of labels about people's functioning, which can be highly damaging. While it is sadly a common misconception, there is quite a bit of information out there that explains things correctly and it is a shame this wasn't looked at. Another example of incorrect information is the prevalence of autism stated - there is no citation for the claim that 1 in 150 people are autistic and Lorna Wing proposed it was 1 in 100 back in the 1990's and more up to date information proposes figures of around 1 in 40.I think perhaps even more than the various pieces of incorrect information, it is the language used to talk about autistic people that bothers me. I just cannot see how it is acceptable to suggest that some differences stem from 'ignorance', to talk about 'deficits' and say that despite certain skills and abilities, autistic young people 'lack the intelligence' to use them in the way needed. Most of all I was saddened when I started looking at the guidance and advice, which appears to promote masking, something which is so, so harmful. Autistic young people do not need to learn how to fit in and behave as if they are not autistic, they do not need to become or appear to become, like non-autistic young people (no matter how much non-autistic people believe they need to do these things). I wish this book helped improve understanding of autism and helped autistic young people have their needs met but it doesn't and I fear it will do far more harm than good.My recommendation is that if you wish to support an autistic young person, that you seek out autistic voices, there are plenty of them and they are fantastic.