
OK
About Jennifer Cook O'Toole
*JENNIFER O'TOOLE, AUTHOR: www.JenniferOTooleAuthor.com
*ASPERKIDS, Jennifer's Cache of Instant Downloads, Common Sense Ideas.., & Awesomeness:
www.Asperkids.com
*WIKIPEDIA:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Cook_O%27Toole
**Social Media
*Speaking Geek YOUTUBE series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEYKhD09OsuBRB7ScqJ1g-ho2sym7pQWN
* Speaking Geek (audio) PODCAST on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/speaking-geek/id1021015570?mt=2
*FACEBOOK: www.Facebook.com/Asperkids
*TWITTER: www.twitter.com/Asperkids
Smart. Lively. Cheeky. A global conversation-starter with a doppleganger Sesame Street muppet. That's Jennifer O'Toole, author of the "Asperkids" series and "Sisterhood of the Spectrum," the award-winning, best-selling autism-related book collection in the world, and the highly-anticipated "Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life of the Spectrum," already named a "Top Amazing Feminist Book of 2018," received a starred review from Booklist, and is an Amazon #1 New Release.
At the age of thirty-five, Jennifer O'Toole was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (autism), just after her three young children had been similarly identified. It was 2011, and for the first time in her life, things made sense.
They made so much sense, in fact, that now, Jennifer is the winner of the Autism Society of America's 2014 Outstanding Literary Work of the Year and the 2012 Temple Grandin Award for Outstanding Global Contributions, was named one of the 50 Most Influential Women in North Carolina and 25 Most Amazing Autistic Women, is a recipient of GRASP's Distinguished Spectrumite Parenting Medal and the Make-A-Wish Foundation's Women Inspiring Hope and Strength Award, was named AuKids Speaker of the Year, and has been celebrated by Disney's Babble and The Mighty. She is "Ask the Expert" columnist for healthline.com, a featured columnist for Spectrum Woman Magazine, sits on the Professional Panel of the Autism Society of America, and is a go-to editorialist/columnist for Amy Poehler's girl-power juggernaut, "Smart Girls at the Party."
From her own struggles and self-discovery, Jennifer has built an empire of empowerment. She's been invited to speak on Capitol Hill, and to the President's Council on Fitness at the White House Summit on Americans with Disabilities, was the Guest of Honor of Their Royal Highnesses, the UK's Princess Sophie and Princess Marie of Denmark. She and was added to the "Who's Who" list of International Aspie Mentors -- along with Temple Grandin and Stephen Shore - to contribute to Dr. Tony Attwood's "Been There. Done That. Try This." anthology. Jennifer's unique "have a cup of coffee with me" conversationalist presentation of useful insights has touched hearts, lightened spirits, and broadened minds around the world.
Customers Also Bought Items By
Are you an author?
Author Updates
-
-
-
Blog postFriends, I am honored to invite all of you to visit my new place. (My new online place, that is.) As the pre-launch buzz for Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of Life on the Autism Spectrum grows (and is it ever!), it became pretty clear pretty fast that Asperkids.com needed a big sister: a more sophisticated, grown-up spot, devoted to the world of girls and women on the3 years ago Read more
-
Blog postI am SO excited to share this updated preview of my upcoming 7th book, Autism in Heels, arriving in July 2018 from Skyhorse Publishing. Here’s the some of the “back of the book blurb,” followed by a sneak peek at the actual memoir 😉 The face of autism is changing. And more often than we realize, that face is wearing lipstick. Autism in Heels, an intimate memoir,3 years ago Read more
-
Blog postEvery Christmas Eve, after I put on my brand-new nightgown and set out the cookies and hot chocolate, I’d turn the lights off in my bedroom and peer up into the big, black night sky. There, in the warmth of my room, kneeling on my soft bed, I’d hold the white window shades behind my freshly-shampooed head, and lean close to the glass –3 years ago Read more
-
-
Blog postIMAGINE THE SCENE…. You’re in a noisy cafeteria, there’s construction going on in the hall outside and the lights are flickering like mad. Across the table, your best friend is about to share the most important secret she has…and she’s whispering it so only you can hear. You strain to listen – but amidst the chaos, you miss a few words. And, when you ask4 years ago Read more
-
Blog postPerfectionism is the highest form of self-harm. You’ll never feel perfect, but you will always feel like a failure. -Jennifer O’Toole, “The Asperkid’s (Secret) Book of Social Rules“ The other day, my son spent about 45 minutes using a set of really cool blocks to illustrate four different ways of adding up to twenty….and that three two times is the same as two three times or six4 years ago Read more
-
Blog postMy #2 at AK is Laura, Vice President of Executive Functioning. Sure, I may be the Chief Executive – but without some support, this exec will NOT function. Fine, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. I will function….it’s just that I’ll probably miss a deadline or discover my missing car keys in the refrigerator. And, ok, I might’ve once boarded a plane on the way home from a keynote….only to discover, while taxiing down the runway, that5 years ago Read more
-
-
Blog postJennifer’s “Insider” in Autism Asperger’s Digest is the only regular magazine column written for teens & 20-somethings by an Aspie. ….Did you ever read those Dick and Jane books? You know. “See Dick run. Look, Jane! It is a ball!” That kind of thing. Well, in ninth grade, I was cast as Sally in our school play, which was a parody of the “shiny, happy” world of Dick, Jane, their little sister (me),5 years ago Read more
-
Blog postThe most wonderful and most difficult part of writing books is letting them go. It’s a bit like being a mom — you have this precious bundle of ideas that, with time, lots of sweat, and bunches of lost sleep — somehow come to life. And then, just when you’ve gotten a glimpse of what has become…it’s time to give it to the world to5 years ago Read more
-
-
Blog postAfter month off (for some serious mommy needs), the voice of the listeners is heard! Speaking Geek returns this Friday, January 1, 2016 with the latest in our FREE YouTube series/podcast series. It’s a simple, powerful tool to get your New Year started off right. (Subscribe at www.Asperkids.com/speaking-geek so you never miss a FREE episode).5 years ago Read more
-
-
-
There's a problem loading this menu right now.
Autism in Heels, an intimate memoir, reveals the woman inside one of autism's most prominent figures, Jennifer O'Toole. At the age of thirty-five, Jennifer was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, and for the first time in her life, things made sense. Now, Jennifer exposes the constant struggle between carefully crafted persona and authentic existence, editing the autism script with wit, candor, passion, and power. Her journey is one of reverse-self-discovery not only as an Aspie but--more importantly--as a thoroughly modern woman.
Beyond being a memoir, Autism in Heels is a love letter to all women. It's a conversation starter. A game changer. And a firsthand account of what it is to walk in Jennifer's shoes (especially those iconic red stilettos).
Whether it's bad perms or body image, sexuality or self-esteem, Jennifer's is as much a human journey as one on the spectrum. Because autism "looks a bit different in pink," most girls and women who fit the profile are not identified, facing years of avoidable anxiety, eating disorders, volatile relationships, self-harm, and stunted independence. Jennifer has been there, too. Autism in Heels takes that message to the mainstream.
From her own struggles and self-discovery, she has built an empire of empowerment, inspiring women the world over to realize they aren't mistakes. They are misunderstood miracles.
Being a teen or tween isn't easy for anyone but it can be especially tough for Asperkids. Jennifer O'Toole knows; she was one! This book is a top secret guide to all of the hidden social rules in life that often seem strange and confusing to young people with Asperger syndrome.
The Asperkid's (Secret) Book of Social Rules offers witty and wise insights into baffling social codes such as making and keeping friends, blending in versus standing out from the crowd, and common conversation pitfalls. Chock full of illustrations, logical explanations, and comic strip practice sessions, this is the handbook that every adult Aspie wishes they'd had growing up.
Ideal for all 10-17 year olds with Asperger syndrome, this book provides inside information on over thirty social rules in bite-sized chunks that older children will enjoy, understand, and most importantly use daily to navigate the mysterious world around them.
Spectrum gals, ever wished you had a handbook to help navigate the confusing world of teenage girlhood?
Look no further! Aspie-in-the-know, Jennifer Cook O'Toole provides just that with her inspirational guide to life for teenage girls with Asperger syndrome. Drawing on her own, real-life experiences rather than preaching from textbooks, she covers everything you need (and want!) to know, from body shapes and love interests to bullying, friendships and how to discover and celebrate your unique, beautiful self. With illustrations by an Aspie teen and inspirational quotes from well-known, female Aspie voices, including Temple Grandin, Rudy Simone, Robyn Steward, and Haley Moss, Sisterhood of the Spectrum is your perfect companion on the "yellow brick road" to womanhood. It will leave you empowered, informed and excited to be different.
As a parent, a teacher and an Aspie herself, Jennifer O'Toole provides the definitive insider's view of Asperger syndrome. She shows how to help children on the spectrum by understanding how they think and by exploiting their special interests to promote learning. Her strategies work because she thinks like the children that she teaches.
This exciting book is full of effective and fun ways of engaging with children with Asperger syndrome. Jennifer explains how theory of mind difficulties create the need for concrete forms of communication, and provides original methods to inspire imagination through sensorial experiences. In particular she reveals the untapped power of special interests, showing how to harness these interests to encourage academic, social and emotional growth.
Affirming that different doesn't mean defective, this book offers the insight and guidance that parents, educators, and other professionals need to connect with the Asperkids in their life and get them excited about learning.
The Asperkid's Game Plan looks from the inside at the learning style of children with Asperger syndrome and explains how to introduce structured play that engages Asperkids and explicitly addresses ASD weaknesses while reinforcing ASD strengths.
Showing how just about anything can be turned into an opportunity for learning and growth, the book is full of go-to ideas for making simple play equipment in the home or classroom and using it to develop core skills that Asperkids struggle with, from fine motor and social skills, to planning and organization. Whether it's origami math, fried marbles, or a bug's eye view scavenger hunt, every game, project, and idea in the book is explained with clear directions and learning objectives and illustrated with color photographs.
Jennifer O'Toole's enthusiastic approach and fun lessons, based on Montessori principles, will inspire and motivate parents, educators, and therapists to make purposeful play a part of every Asperkid's day.
For Asperkids, home is both their protected lair and their launch pad into success in a neurotypical world. Jennifer O'Toole provides parents with all the help they need in planning their home environment to encourage their Asperkid superheroes to soar.
The Asperkid's Launch Pad is a visually-led guide to preparing a home environment that supports the development of children with Asperger syndrome. From a bedroom light switch that the child can easily reach, to a tucked-away safe place that he or she can retreat to when feeling overwhelmed or anxious, small changes in the home can boost the child's self-confidence, independence, comfort and life skills. Award-winning author Jennifer O'Toole gives readers a walk-through tour of the home, showing, room by room, how physical surroundings affect Asperkids and highlighting the learning opportunities in every space and object.
Beautifully presented with color photographs throughout, this functional and fun book will win a place in the homes and hearts of all parents of children with Asperger syndrome.