The book serves as a guide for autistic people to help them understand and embrace their autism, focusing on the positive aspects and strengths that come with it. For those recently diagnosed, it offers reassurance that life hasn’t changed, and guides them through all the emotions that come with that. The key theme throughout is that autism is a part of who you are, and that it makes you unique, which means you can contribute special skills and qualities to your community, your work, or your education.

         Using simplified language, it explains sensory sensitivities and provides practical strategies to manage them. Readers will learn about their ‘autistic super powers’ such as highly focused interests, great attention to detail, direct honesty, and pattern recognition skills – but more than that, it reveals how they can provide joy, expertise, and potential career paths. For those seeking work, volunteering, or further education, it explains the whole process of finding the job or course they want, applying for it, practising for the interview, how to interact safely and happily with others once they’re there, and how to maintain a healthy work/life balance.

         The book explains why rules and routines are so important to autistic people, and tips and tricks for how to cope when rules or routines get broken. It also explains the idea of having a ‘safe space’ where they can relax undisturbed, and where their sensory needs are met. It also reinforces the importance of self-acceptance, self-love, looking after yourself (mind and body) and taking regular breaks, and asking for help or support when it’s needed.

         The book explains the challenges that autistic people often face in social situations, and includes advice about reading cues, keeping conversations flowing, knowing when to stop or start a conversation, understanding figures of speech, and it provides a visual guide to facial expressions and body language. There are many practical ideas and easy-to-remember advice for going out and enjoying life, meeting new people, making new friends, and maintaining existing relationships. The final chapters introduce the idea of an Autism/Hospital Passport, and include a web link to help readers create their own (free of charge). It also provides details of support organisations, how to get help and advocacy, and a simplified glossary of terms.