Philip Wylie - The Nine Degrees of Autism: A Developmental Model for the Alignment and Reconciliation of Hidden Neurological Conditions

The Nine Degrees of Autism presents a much-needed positive tool for understanding the developmental process of autism, and to facilitate the improved mental health and well-being of individuals on the spectrum. The ground-breaking model charts nine distinct stages of development from pre-identification, to learning to live with changes in self-image following a late diagnosis, through to self-acceptance and well-being. Using the model as a framework each chapter focuses on a particular stage of the process. Experts provide personal insights into the environmental and societal challenges faced by individuals with autism, and dispel a number of popular misconceptions.

The positive developmental model described in this book will encourage people on the spectrum to accept themselves by focusing on their gifts rather than weaknesses, and to avoid identifying with negative medical classifications. The developmental process which the authors describe is also applicable to other hidden neurological conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, aphasia, and ADHD.

The book should be read by anyone who wants to understand the real nature and experience of autism and will also be essential reading for a range of professionals seeking to work more effectively with individuals on the spectrum.

Philip Wylie is a freelance writer, researcher, and independent management consultant who was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome in 2013. He conceived The Nine Degrees of Autism during his identity alignment process while writing a book about very late diagnosis of Aspergers syndrome.

Wenn B. Lawson is a researcher, psychologist, writer, and poet with high-functioning autism. He has operated his own private practice for more than 20 years and written several books and research articles on the topic.

Luke Beardon is a Senior Lecturer at The Autism Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, UK. He has worked for several years in the fields of autism and Aspergers syndrome, in capacities ranging from practitioner to researcher and trainer.

A Developmental Model for the Alignment and Reconciliation of Hidden Neurological Conditions

Philip Wylie, Wenn B. Lawson, and Luke Beardon

First published 2016

by Routledge

27 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2FA

and by Routledge

605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

2016 Philip Wylie, Wenn B. Lawson, and Luke Beardon

The right of Philip Wylie, Wenn B. Lawson, and Luke Beardon to be identified as the authors of this Work has been asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part 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

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

The nine degrees of autism : a developmental model for the

alignment and reconciliation of hidden neurological

conditions / [edited by] Philip Wylie, Wenn B. Lawson

and Luke Beardon.

p. ; cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

I.Wylie, Philip, 1960 , editor.II.Lawson, Wendy,

1952 , editor.III.Beardon, Luke, editor.

[DNLM: 1.Child Development Disorders, Pervasive

complications.2.Adult.3.Mental Disorders.

4.Social Identification. WM 203.5]

RC553.A88

616.85'882dc23

2015006897

ISBN: 978-1-138-88716-9 (hbk)

ISBN: 978-1-138-88717-6 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-1-315-71433-2 (ebk)

DOI: 10.4324/9781315714332

Typeset in Times and Frutiger

by Apex CoVantage, LLC

• Wenn B. Lawson and Luke Beardon
• Philip Wylie

• 1. Tony Attwood

  2. Emily L. Casanova and Manuel F. Casanova

• 1. Michael Fitzgerald and Philip Wylie

  2. Louise Page

  3. Laura Battles

  4. Debra Moore

  5. Stephen Shore

  6. Altazar Rossiter

  7. Wenn B. Lawson

  8. Sara Heath

  9. Temple Grandin and Debra Moore

TONY ATTWOOD PhD (Aus): Clinical Psychologist specializing in Autism

Professor Tony Attwood is a clinical psychologist who has specialized in autism spectrum conditions (ASC), and especially Aspergers syndrome, for over 30 years. He is an adjunct professor at Griffith University and is the chairperson at the Minds and Hearts clinic in Brisbane (www.mindsandhearts.net). He works as a clinician and is the author of several books on Aspergers syndrome, including Aspergers Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, which has sold over 400,000 copies and The Complete Guide to Aspergers Syndrome. His web address is www.tonyattwood.com.au

LAURA BATTLES MEd (UK): Autism Specialist and Director of Family and Caregiver Support

Laura has worked in the field of autism and additional support needs for the past 20 years as a teacher, manager, and as Director of Autism Services. More recently, she worked as a private consultant in the United Arab Emirates and now she is undertaking the role of Director of Family and Caregiver Support at The Developing Child Centre in Dubai. Laura has also worked for the National Autistic Society in Autism Accreditation as a team leader and panel member reviewing standards of practice within schools, and services across the United Kingdom. She studied autism and additional support needs extensively and is currently studying for a Doctorate of Education at Stirling University.

LUKE BEARDON EdD (UK): Senior Lecturer in Autism at Sheffield Hallam University

Luke Beardon BA (Hons), PG Cert (Autism), EdD is a senior lecturer in autism at Sheffield Hallam University. He has worked with the National Autistic Society as a trainer and consultant, as well as a service coordinator in residential services, helping young autistic adults to access suitable residential services. Luke works in various capacities, from consultant to researcher and trainer. He has also written, edited, and provided forewords for several publications about autism and Aspergers syndrome. He is also a registered expert witness (see www.the-expert-witness.co.uk/luke-beardon). His doctor of education thesis was on Asperger Syndrome and Perceived Offending Conduct.

EMILY L. CASANOVA PhD (USA)

Dr. Emily L. Casanova has a PhD in Anatomy and Neurobiology, specializing in developmental, cellular, and molecular biology, with a focus in neuroscience. Her work utilizes a combination of bioinformatics and benchtop techniques. Her primary foci are the study of autism, intellectual disability, and schizophrenia, but she has also studied neuroectoderm development and cancers of the epidermis. In the study of neurodevelopmental conditions, she has used a combination of in vivo models and bioinformatics techniques. Her bioinformatics work has been two-pronged: (1) to investigate the functional overlap of high-risk autism genes; and (2) to characterize genomic features common to autism-risk, schizophrenia-risk, and central nervous systemrelated genes.