Autistic Adults by Daniel Smeenk

An accessible and comprehensive look at autistic adults, written with an aim towards understanding and empathy.

Most research and writing about autism is focused on children, although most autistic people are adults. In this book, Daniel Smeenk addresses this gap by looking at how autistic adults present and how they see themselves and offers insights on autistic adults, from an autistic writer. He provides information and practical advice to inspire neurotypicals to a greater empathy and understanding of the autistic adults in their lives.

Unlike most books on autism, Autistic Adults: Exploring the Forgotten End of the Spectrum explores the subject from multiple points of view. Daniel Smeenk examines autism research, self-advocacy communities and the fundamental differences between groups that want to help autistic people but disagree on how to do so. Thoroughly researched yet accessible, Smeenk takes an even- handed approach to current debates such as how funding should be spent and what kind of supports are most beneficial. He also addresses topics such as employment, lack of research on autistic adults and issues with public perception.

After graduating from the University of Toronto, Daniel Smeenk started his career in journalism working as a copy editor and book reviewer for Brunswick News in Saint John, New Brunswick before becoming a reporter for Great West Newspapers in northern Alberta. Since 2018, Daniel Smeenk has worked in public relations. He lives in Grimsby, Ontario.