Helping Youth with Autism and Learning Differences Shape Their Futures. How many young people are struggling or experiencing undesirable outcomes once they leave school? Far more than you might imagine, especially if they have an autism spectrum disorder, a learning disability or similar condition.
Come to Life! is a unique new book that helps readers engage in an active process of self-discovery to improve the transition to adulthood.
- Author Tom Iland, a young man with autism, speaks directly to his peers and guides them through the process of discovering themselves. Many individuals with autism (and other conditions) don't truly understand themselves or know how their disability affects them. Without understanding, they struggle to love and accept themselves. This emotional roadblock can get in the way of just about everything else.
- In Come to Life! Tom explains the mantra he created to help drive his life forward: Know Yourself. Love Yourself. Be Yourself. A chapter dedicated to each part of the mantra helps readers find answers to questions such as, Who am I? What do I want? What am I good at? and, What are some areas I can improve? Come to Life! is an excellent prequel to transition planning in special education. Once readers discover their answers, they can integrate their hopes, dreams and goals into their future plans, rather than living a life that someone else has planned for them.
- Come to Life! is co-authored by Emily Iland, Tom's mom and an autism professional. Having lived through this the peaks and valleys of his teenage years, Emily adds insights, activities and resources to help readers find themselves, find their niche and find their voices. Whether you have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or a related disability, or you are a parent, educator or other ally of someone who does, Come to Life! provides information and guidance to help young adults realize their true potential. It's a great tool to improve the transition process and, hopefully, adult life outcomes. Printed in full color.
Tom Iland was diagnosed with autism at age 13. Life has not been easy, and he has worked hard to meet many of his goals, including driving, living on his own, graduating from college and having a girlfriend. After becoming a certified public accountant and working for several big companies, he decided to walk away from that career to work full-time helping others find their way in the world.
Come to Life! Your Guide to Self-Discovery is Tom's first book and his passion project. He shares insights and things he has learned through experience to help other young people create the lives they want for themselves, as he has done.
Tom's co-author is also his mom, autism specialist Emily Iland, M.A. She's an award-winning author, advocate, film-maker, researcher and leader. Emily has extensive experience training police about autism and similar disabilities. This led her to create BE SAFE The Movie, using video modeling to show young people how to interact safely with the police.
Emily is also the author of Drawing A Blank: Improving Comprehension for Readers on the Autism Spectrum, a best-selling educational book. Come to Life! is the first volume of two on the subject of transition. In volume two, Emily and Tom will be expanding on how to improve transition planning.
