Guide to Good Mental Health on the Autism Spectrum

$46.99

SKU: 9781849056700 Categories: , ,

Guide to Good Mental Health on the Autism Spectrum

A self-help resource with practical strategies to support the mental wellbeing of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and mental illness.

Filled with strategies and advice, this empowering guide presents practical ways to improve the mental wellbeing of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

This helpful guide focuses on the specific difficulties that can arise when you have ASD and comorbid mental illness. The book includes information on common mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, as well as strategies for improving sleep patterns and mindfulness. Providing guidance on the benefits and drawbacks of therapy pets, medication, and psychotherapy, the authors offer balanced perspectives on treatment options and introduce self-help strategies tailored to meet your needs and improve your mental wellbeing. A number of short personal narratives from people who have ASD and mental health issues illustrate the text.

The book also includes a list of resources, books and organisations that can provide further support and inspiration.

Suitable for: People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), people with ASD who also have a comorbid mental illness, family members of individuals with ASD and clinicians and other professionals who work with people who have ASD.

Contents:

  • Introduction.
  • 1. Diagnosis.
  • 2. Anxiety Disorders.
  • 3. Depression.
  • 4. Self-harm.
  • 5. Suicidal thoughts.
  • 6. Psychosis.
  • 7. Communication problems.
  • 8. Stigma and discrimination.
  • 9. Family incidence of autism and mental illness.
  • 10. Strategies to aid sleep.
  • 11. The value of pets.
  • 12. Mindfulness.
  • 13. Psychotherapy.
  • 14. Medication.
  • 15. Crisis measures.
  • 16. Self-esteem and self-confidence.
  • 17. Resilience.
  • 18. Summary of strategies to maintain mental health.
  • 19. Resources.

Author Bio:

Jeanette Purkis is an autistic advocate, speaker and mentor. She is the author of three other books on elements of autism and is a regular blogger. She presented for TEDx Canberra in 2013 on the topic of autism and resilience and has been a keynote speaker at a number of events including the 2017 Asia Pacific Autism Conference and the Autism@Work conference. Jeanette has worked in the Australian Public Service since 2007. She has facilitated a support group for autistic women in Canberra since 2011 and hosts a regular online radio program for UK advocacy organisation Positively Autistic and is also a guest presenter on the Canberra Radio 2CC Talking Disability program. Jeanette is highly visible in the autism community. She was named the 2016 ACT Volunteer of the Year and was a finalist in the 2017 ACT Woman of the Year award.

Dr Emma Goodall has Asperger’s syndrome and has had professional experience of mental health services. She has a PhD in the area of education and the autism spectrum and is the author of a text book for teaching AS children. Emma is a Senior Autism Advisor in South Australia and an executive committee member of the Australian Society for Autism Research (ASfAR), as well as an executive committee member for the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) of Australia and New Zealand.

Dr Jane Nugent is a Psychiatric Career Medical Officer with General Practitioner training. She has a special interest in mental health and a passion for psychopharmacology. She has a talent for taking highly technical information and making it accessible to non-specialists. Jane has been involved in pharmacology teaching for a variety of New Zealand and Australian institutions since 1997.

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