This honest, to-the-point guide illuminates the experience of young Autistic girls and explores the situations they can easily fall victim to. Powerful case studies show how easily misunderstandings can arise for Autistic girls and help the reader to identify common patterns of abuse. Providing professionals with access to safeguarding strategies that are straightforward to implement and highly effective, this is essential reading for everyone who wants to better understand the challenges faced by this vulnerable group, and ensure they have access to the same opportunities to secure a good education and build safe and happy relationships as their peers.
Carly Jones is a British Autism Advocate who has worked for the inclusion of Autistic women and girls since 2008. She regularly speaks on news channels, at universities and in government departments and she was the first British Autistic woman to address the United Nations on Autistic females' rights. Carly also holds a public appointment as a member of the U.K. community and volunteer services Honours committee, an independent panel member for the Ministry of Justice and acts as an advisor for national media outlets, health departments and Autism charities.
Chapter 1 - The Current Situation; 1 Why Are Autistic Girls Vulnerable?; 2 Team Diagnosed Vs Team Undiagnosed; 3The Autistic lens Vs the Mental Health lens; 4 The Problem with the Educational System; 5 We Can't Carry On this way; Chapter 2 The Risk To Autistic Girls' Safety; 1 Sexual Abuse; 2 Bullying and Mate Crime; 3 Teen Pregnancy; 4 Radicalisation and Gangs; 5 Childhood Marriage and Domestic Violence; Chapter 3 How to Identify a Girl at Risk; 1 Masking; 2 Drink and Drug Use; 3 Eating Disorders; 4 The Common Scapegoat; 5 Burnout; Chapter 4 Tried and Tested Strategies for Support; 1 Working With Individuals; 2 Working with other Professionals; 3 Keeping an Intersectional Mindset; 4 Working with the Family; 5 The Lifesaving Gift of a Peer Group; Chapter 5 Designing and Sustaining a New Blueprint ; 1 The Untapped Oil; 2 Ideas for the Educational System; 3 Employment and Media 4 Equal Access to Safeguarding in Healthcare; 5 Access to Justice and Legislation Loopholes
A to-the-point, jargon-free guide for professionals involved in the safeguarding of autistic girls. Packed full of insight, Carly Jones' highly readable style provides advice to ensure the best support for this most vulnerable group.
As a super proud Nana and advocate to my awesome autistic 11 year old grandson Carly's insight, lived experience and practical strategies, all delivered with empathy, humour and a 'you can do it' attitude have been invaluable. You might not have Carly on speed text like me, but you do now have this book. A must read for any parent, carer, friend or professional who wants to better understand safeguarding in a wider context to protect an autistic young person. -- Melanie Bryan OBE, DL, HFIOEE, FRSA Carly Jones MBE packs this book with her personal insights in autism and her extensive, professional experience as an advocate for autistic girls and women. Her passion to enable each and everyone of us to safeguard autistic people, is evident throughout the book, which is written with compassion and creativity. Safeguarding Autistic Girls is a frank call to action, that cannot be ignored. -- Oriana Morrison-Clarke, Neurodevelopmental Services Manager, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust Alive with personal insights and the experiences of many, Carly's much-needed book illuminates the vulnerability of autistic girls and young women in modern society. The range of tested tips and strategies provided - from an autistic insider's perspective - make this a must-read for any professional in the field. -- Dr Ruth Moyse, Institute of Education, University of Reading
