Table Of Content“Rebecca’s book is innovative as it helps autistic young
people own their autism diagnosis. Using non-medical jargon
and empowering, yet factual, information, Rebecca has
created a non-judgemental and non-infantilised place to not
only support but explore what comes next.”
– Carly Jones MBE, British Autism Advocate
“This book has helped me get a grip on my autism and
understand it more. It allows me to see the reasons, know
why I’m doing all this stuff that neurotypicals wouldn’t do,
and makes me feel better – good – that I wasn't alone in
this.” – Daniel, Young Person
“Rebecca’s book is a great resource for guiding strength-
based conversations about a young person’s autistic identity.
The book focuses on individual similarities and differences,
whilst encouraging a sense of shared identity and connection
to others. This is a great resource for supporting young
people to explore their individual strengths and skills, whilst
developing a sense of pride. A recommended read!”
– Dr Claire Prosser BEM, Educational Psychologist,
Spectropolis – Pay it Forward
“Hearing voices of autistic children throughout the book gives
a unique insight that can only be gained from listening to
those with lived experience. Rebecca's passion for supporting
autistic young people is clear throughout, which has resulted
in a book which allows autistic young people a chance to
positively own their identity.” – Dr Jenna Kenyani, Equality,
Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Adviser, University
of Liverpool
“It’s a positive book, the illustrations being done by someone
who is autistic is brilliant, and I like the autistic people
section near the end.” – Lynn McCann, Autism & PDA
Specialist Teacher & Author, Reachout ASC
“As you would expect from a practitioner of Rebecca’s
stature, this book is empowering and accessible and
sensitively covers a huge range of situations and scenarios
faced by autistic children in a manner that will guide them in
their growing up. Thoroughly recommended!”
– Andrew Whitehouse, SEND Consultant
“This book is a gift![…] to all autistic people to help them
work through their identity and to celebrate what makes
them truly them. A gift to parents/carers who have an
autistic son or daughter, to help guide them through the
journey of life.” – Duvessa Owen, Deputy Headteacher &
SENCo
ACCESS YOUR ONLINE
RESOURCES
Autism, Identity and Me: A Practical Workbook to Empower
Autistic Children and Young People Aged 10+ is accompanied by
a number of printable online materials, designed to ensure this
resource best supports your needs.
Activate your online resources:
Go to https://resourcecentre.routledge.com/speechmark and
click on the cover of this book.
Click the 'Sign in’ or ‘Request access’ button and follow the
instructions in order to access the resources.
AUTISM, IDENTITY AND ME
This empowering workbook will help children and young people to develop a
positive understanding of their autistic identity.
Highly structured and visual, the workbook is broken down into key sections
such as ‘Interests and focus’, ‘Masking’, ‘Emotions and energy levels’ and ‘My
autistic identity statement’ to create a personal passport and to develop a deeper
understanding of what autism means to the young person as an individual.
Content has been shaped by autistic advisors and contributors, with first-hand
experiences of young people woven throughout. The workbook aims to encourage
and build:
• An understanding of what autism is.
• An understanding of what autism means to them (their autistic identity).
• A positive sense of self.
• An acknowledgement of things that may be trickier.
• A pride in being autistic.
Having a positive understanding of your autistic identity is an indicator of higher
self-esteem and wellbeing as an adult. This workbook supports the development
of this and will be valuable for autistic children and young people aged 10+ and
the adults working with them. It is designed to be used alongside the
accompanying guide for most effective use, which provides further support for
the lead adult and a platform for initiating important conversations.
Rebecca Duffus BSc, PGCE, MA is an experienced Advisory
Teacher with a Psychology Degree and a Masters in Autism
and Education. She has many years of experience working
with students and educators in both mainstream and
specialist education settings as well as within local authority
and education services. Rebecca has been a speaker at
conferences across the UK, developed a range of parent
programmes, and provides training and coaching for settings.
Rebecca is passionate about celebrating neurodiversity.
AUTISM, IDENTITY AND ME
A PRACTICAL WORKBOOK TO EMPOWER
AUTISTIC CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
AGED 10+
Rebecca Duffus
Illustrations by Beth Smith and Rebecca Duffus
Designed cover image: © Lisa Dynan
First published 2023
by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 Rebecca Duffus
The right of Rebecca Duffus to be identified as author of this work has been asserted
in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. The purchase of this copyright material confers the right on the
purchasing institution to photocopy or download pages which bear the companion
website icon or a copyright line at the bottom of the page. No other parts of this
book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic,
mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying
and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to
infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-1-032-39654-5 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-35075-0 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/b23257
Typeset in Verdana
by Deanta Global Publishing Services, Chennai, India
Access the companion website: https://resourcecentre.routledge.com/speechmark
To Brian, Pam and Tony. You've laid my path with strong foundations and
magical moments. I couldn't love you more.
