Bittersweet on the Autism Spectrum

Michael Barton is a final year student studying Physics at the University of Surrey, UK. He gives talks to a wide range of audiences about his experiences of being at the high functioning end of the autistic spectrum, emphasising the positive aspects and relating these to the traits that scientists exhibit. Michael is an accomplished musician, playing jazz piano, bass guitar, French horn, drums and percussion (including spoons) with a variety of bands. Michael is also the President of the University Judo club and is a keen rock climber. For more information see www.michaelbarton.org.uk. He lives in Guildford, UK.

• Foreword. Luke Beardon. 1. Opening the Umbrella (Multi Coloured Thank You Very Much!). Alyssa Aleksanian. 2. How Volunteering With Bradford Autism Support Gave Me Confidence and Helped Me Come To Terms With My Own Diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome. Gwen Greenwood. 3. A New Career Path - Undertaking a PhD - The Doctor Will See You Now! Dr Christopher Wilson. 4. Becoming a Parent is Really, Really Hard... Who Would Have Guessed? Becky Heaver. 5. Autism and Music. Michael Barton. 6. How Discovering Creative Writing Opened Up a Whole New World For the Aspie in Me. Andrew Smith. 7. Lifelines - How I Manage my Autism to Create a Positive Life Experience. Tracy Turner. 8. Positive Experiences of Being on the Autistic Spectrum - Personal Reflections From Joanna Treasure. Joanna Treasure. 9. A Year in Normandy - Learning a Foreign Language and Culture. Dean Worton. 10. The Story Behind a Story - My Novella: The Atlas Legacy. Colin Newton. 11. My London Marathon Experience: Walking Into a New Day. Dominic Walsh. 12. In an Economic Climate When the Most Able in Society are Having Difficulty Finding Work, What Chance Do Those With Disabilities Have? Tony's Journey. Maggie. 13. Loyal Companions: Animals Can Teach Us All a Lot About Happiness and Acceptance. Debbie Allen. 14. Celebrating the Autism Spectrum. P J Hughes. 15. Positive Experiences for Sarah (aged 27) - Enjoying Freedom That I Never Thought I'd Have. Sarah Galley. 16. How Our Negative Experiences Can Raise Awareness of Autism and Produce Positive Results For Society. A Nonny Mouse. 17. Positive Experiences in Theatre. C.A. Smart. 18. The Day I (Nearly) Became a Male Prostitute.. Atul Movelis. 19. My Radio Show: Making People Happier with My Strong Music Interest and Knowledge. Gerard Wilkie. 20. Turning Points: How Thinking Outside the Box Helped Me Overcome Hurdles in My Music Teaching Career. Eloise. 21. Why Bother: Aiming to Create Social Fairness and Harmony. Maurice Frank. 22. Positives I Can Draw From Experiences as a Result of the Tragic Events on 7 July 2005 in London. Serena Shaw. 23. Interview With a Music Lover on Positive Aspects of His Life. Andy R. 24. Revelations on Planet Autism. Planet Autism. 25. Two Very Different Birth Stories. Nat Goldthorpe. 26. Syndromes, Spectra and Starlight. Barnabear. 27. Turning a Negative Into a Positive. Alex Wilkinson. 28. Dream Big, There Can Be Another End to the Rainbow. Lynette Marshall.

Autism in the words of autistic people. Alongside fascinating individual tales of personal triumphs, this collection of insights and tales shows the amazing reflection, articulation and self-awareness of these autistic authors. This book is surely a must for parents of autistic children to let them see into the future and inspire them to know what their children have the capacity to become.