Standing Up for Myself : An empowering book for Neurodivergent kids and teens about boundaries, sensitivity, personal space, consent, power play and self advocacy

This beautiful book was created by Evaleen Whelton. Evaleen is founder of AUsome Training and Konfident Kidz. She is proudly Autistic and is a passionate educator on all things Autistic. Evaleen has worked with children and young adults for over 20 years in her career as a Speech and Drama Teacher.

In her latest book she addresses important areas of social interaction that are often overlooked for Autistic children. The focus of this book is empowering Neuordivergent kids and teens to understand themselves, their boundaries and how others might try to manipulate them.

The book is full of informative insight and has lots of space for exploratory exercises as well so that the reader can work through each section and learn best strategies for dealing with conflict, bullying and general aspects of non-autistic communication.

Evaleen beautifully breaks down power play and the differences in the way Autistic Culture differs from the social hierarchy in a way that is very helpful to young readers.

Evaleen found out she was Autistic at the age of 37 and has written this book for her young self and every other child like her. “This is a book I wish I had when I was a kid” says Evaleen. “it’s full of positive messages and really helpful tips and advise for Autistic kids and teens.”

Evaleen is fully aware of the dangers of “social skills training” used against Autistic kids. She has created resources and courses that address our differences in communication in a very pro-Autistic way and offer an alternative to awful, offensive and damaging social skills books. She is a proud advocator for Autistic rights and in empowering Autistic kids and their parents to have a better understanding of what it means to be Autistic that reaches far beyond the limited scope of the oppressive and damaging medical model.