Living Well on the Spectrum

Valerie L. Gaus, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Long Island and New York City. Her focus is treating mental health problems in adults with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and other learning and developmental disorders. Since receiving her doctorate in 1992, she has approached her work with a cognitive-behavioral orientation. Dr. Gaus serves on the advisory board of the Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association and the grant review committee of the Organization for Autism Research, and instructs an advanced training course through the Swedish Psychological Association. Dr. Gaus has written numerous articles and chapters on mental health issues in developmental disabilities and has lectured extensively in the United States and internationally. She is the author of the self-help resource Living Well on the Spectrum as well as a book for therapists, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Second Edition.

Foreword, Stephen Shore Introduction. How to Get the Most Out of This Book I. Life on the Spectrum 1. A Typical Day in Your Life: Problems and Solutions 2. A Unique Brain: How Thinking Differences Can Affect Your Daily Life 3. How Social Differences Can Be Vulnerabilities and Strengths 4. The Role of Your Emotional Differences 5. How Sensory and Movement Differences Can Affect Your Interactions with Your Environment II. Positive Solutions for a Quality Life 6. Positive Solutions: Your Bag of Tricks 7. At Home 8. At Work 9. At School 10. In the Community 11. Building Friendships 12. Dating, Sex, and Marriage 13. Health 14. Putting Yourself in Charge of Your Life and Finding Help When You Need It Appendix: Problem-Solving Worksheet Resources