Anita Lesko - Becoming an Autism Success Story: Anita Lesko

Not what you expected? Tell us!

Most negative reviews occur when the book did not reach expectation. Did the description build any expectations that were not met? Let us know how we can do better.

Please drop us a line at .
Thank you so much for your support!

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR
BECOMING AN AUTISM SUCCESS STORY

Within a few years of getting diagnosed with autism at age fifty, Anita Lesko has arrived on the international stage for folks with autism. This outstanding book combines Leskos hard-won insights, life strategies, direct guidance, science, and encouragement. This book is the antidote to cantAnita Lesko has defeated the nay-sayers and generously provides the path for others who struggle. While she visualizes herself as an advocate for people with autism, I can see her as an advocate for anyone who sets a lofty goal. (Dont hold back, Anita!)

Rachel Bdard, PhD, Licensed Psychologist, co-author of Raising a Child on the Autism Spectrum and Youve Got This: The Journey from Middle School to College

Anita Lesko is a poster child for someone with the gifts of autism! Her goal-oriented, positive attitude, intelligence, and laser-focused approach to any project guarantee positive results. She is eminently qualified to write this book and speak as an authority for those succeeding at thriving with autism!

Craig Evans, Founder of Autism Hangout, co-author of Been There. Done That. Try This! and Ask Dr. Tony!

The beautiful, descriptive words of this book will serve to inspire others, which is Anita Leskos mission and purpose. She shares with honest vulnerability about her life experiences and gives practical solutions, not just for how to cope, but for how to thrive as a person with autism.

Carol Vickers, M.A., PCC, Professional Coach and Facilitator

BECOMING AN AUTISM SUCCESS STORY

All marketing and publishing rights guaranteed to and reserved by:

721 W. Abram Street
Arlington, TX 76013
(800) 489-0727
(817) 277-0727
(817) 277-2270 (fax)
www.fhautism.com

2019 Anita Lesko

Cover & interior design by John Yacio III

All rights reserved.
Printed in the USA.

No part of this product may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of Future Horizons, Inc., except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews or unless noted within the book.

ISBN: 9781941765975

I dedicate this book to my mom, Rita, for teaching me the power of the mind all those years ago, which enabled me to be where I am today. Also to my husband and soul mate, Abraham, for all his love and support. And to all on the autism spectrum, I dedicate myself to help enable you to unlock the power of your mind to achieve your dreams.

ANITA LESKO

The biggest adventure you can take
is to live the life of your dreams.

OPRAH WINFREY

B oth Anita Lesko and I are people on the autism spectrum who have successful careers. Anita is a highly successful nurse anesthetist who administers anesthesia to patients during brain surgeries and complex joint replacements. I am a professor of animal science at Colorado State University. Although our childhoods were much different, our paths to a good career are very similar.

Both of us learned the value of hard work at a young age. Anita earned horse riding lessons in exchange for cleaning the stables. Paying for riding lessons was beyond her financial means. Horses and riding were an important part of my teenage years, too. Anita was determined to learn to show horses and to, one day, jump them in competitions. She accomplished this while working her way up and earning privileges by cleaning the stalls. I was a poor student who had little interest in academics, so my school put me to work cleaning the stable and taking care of the horses. When I was ready to become interested in academics, my science teacher, Mr. Carlock, gave me interesting projects. It was then that academics became the path to my goal of becoming a scientist.

The next step for Anita was getting a job at an ice arena at the concession stand. She was eager to learn more interesting jobs such as running the spot lights and driving the Zamboni. She always wanted to try something new.

Both Anita and I did journalism. There is a scene in the HBO movie Temple Grandin where I go up to the editor of the Arizona Farmer Ranchman magazine and get the editors card. I recognized that writing for the magazine would open many doors in the cattle industry. Anita started writing for aviation magazines and landed a ride in an F-15 fighter jet.

Determination and hard work enabled Anita to become the success she is today.

A nita is a source of inspiration and information. Her description of the value of visualization and neuroplasticity will be of benefit to those of any age who have autism, as well as their family members, teachers, and therapists.

We have known for some time that those who have autism tend to learn by visualization and demonstration. The learning style also includes a propensity to seek patterns and to benefit from repetition. However, there can be a mind-body dissociation, delay in processing time, and a tendency to be distracted by social and sensory experiences. Anita discovered a way to visualize what she wanted her body to do, and by mentally rehearsing the actions in quiet solitude, she was able to download how to achieve complex abilities, thus effectively rewiring her brain. The procedure commences by first imagining the ability from her own visual perspective, then from the perspective of a spectator. Thus, her imagination initiates the neural pathways to bridge the mind/body division. When she then needs to demonstrate the ability, she is able to conceptualize, organize, and perform the actions efficiently and confidently.

Anitas book is a bridge between our knowledge of the neurology of autism and the latest scientific theories of neuroplasticity. The methods she taught herself, leading her to success, need to be integrated into school curriculum, job coaching, and therapy to facilitate skills that have previously been so elusive for those who have autism.

Professor Tony Attwood
Minds and Hearts Clinic
Brisbane, Australia

B efore you begin reading this book, Id like to say that it isnt an autobiography. Instead, its a book that I visualize will change the world for individuals with autism, and anyone who wishes to achieve their dreams by rewiring their brain for success. I use my lifes story as the backdrop of the message I want to get out there. I see visualization and neuroplasticity as the new wave of the future for anyone wanting a better life, to reach a goal, or make their dreams come true. New York Times bestselling author/ University of Toronto Professor Dr. Norman Doidge discusses how neuroplasticity can change the brain in his book The Brains Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity .

I have autism, diagnosed at age fifty. I think in pictures, yes, just like Dr. Temple Grandin. As a young child, I felt like a little lost soul in a world I didnt understand. I was a total social misfit, I couldnt look anyone in the eye, and simply didnt know how to function. I was so uncoordinated that I tripped over my own feet. At the writing of this book, I just turned fifty-nine. Ive been working for the past thirty years as a certified registered nurse anesthetist. I graduated from Columbia University in 1988 with my masters in nurse anesthesia. Ive accomplished many things in my life thus far. I was a guest speaker at the United Nations Headquarters for World Autism Awareness Day 2017. Im an author, national speaker, and a blogger. Im also an internationally published military aviation photojournalist, and Ive gotten to fly in an F-15 fighter jet and a Navy helicopter. In my younger days, I jumped horses over six-foot-high fences.