Book Launch of the Awesome Autistic Guides with Yenn Purkis, Tanya Masterman, and Min the Meerkat
Saturday 6 April 2024, 12–1:30pm
Harry Hartog ANU Campus The Australian National University
153-11 University Ave, Acton ACT 2601, Australia
Please join the team at Harry Hartog ANU for the Book Launch with Yenn Purkis & Tanya Masterman who will be in conversation with Alison Hartigan on their latest additions to the highly regarded Awesome Autistic Guide series. The new books discussed are: The Awesome Autistic Guide to Other Humans: Relationships with Friends and Family, The Awesome Autistic Guide to Being Proud: Feeling Good About Who You Are and The Awesome Autistic Guide to Feelings and Emotions: Finding your Comfort Zone.
About the books
The Awesome Autistic Guide to Other Humans Relationships with Friends and Family.
Find out everything you need to know about friendships, improving relationships with your family members, and how to deal with issues and arguments that can arise with the people in your life. 'Humans! We are a complex bunch. We all have to live together on one small planet and that is not always easy. The Awesome Autistic Guide to Other Humans is a deceptively simple little book that, if followed, could bring harmony amongst autistic and neurotypical family and friends, and who knows could spread throughout the world. World Peace for Humans! Now wouldn't that be something! Kathy Hoopman, author of the All About series.
The Awesome Autistic Guide to Being Proud: Feeling Good About Who You Are
From learning about the autistic community and who is a part of it, to finding like-minded friends and connecting with others, this book will give you everything you need to ask the question 'what does it mean to be me? ‘Discover your own strengths, boost your confidence, and learn how to start your journey as an awesome autistic person with the community by your side. 'The Awesome Autistic Guide to Being Proud is a fun and easy-to read book that introduces how it is not only okay to be autistic, but it is something to be proud of. It encourages the reader to explore their own autism, and to see how empowering it can be to belong to the autistic community. Niamh Garvey, Author of Looking After Your Autistic Self
The Awesome Autistic Guide to Feelings and Emotions: Finding your Comfort Zone
Understanding your feelings and emotions is an incredibly important part of learning to become your most awesome autistic self! Yenn, Tanya and a tiny meerkat called Min are here to help you find out everything you need to know about your feelings and emotions, using tips and tricks they have picked up along the way to help you calm your brain down when it feels overloaded.
'Feelings and emotions are very confusing! Travel with Min through this guide and build a picture of what feelings are, where they come from and what, if anything, we need to do. Label feelings and enjoy the activities that identify and help you find your comfort zone. -- Dr. Wenn B. Lawson (PhD).
About Yenn Purkis
Yenn is an autistic and non-binary advocate, author and presenter. Yenn has a Master’s degree in Fine Art from RMIT University. Yenn has given presentations for TEDx Canberra and has been a frequent keynote presenter at autism and disability events for several years. Yenn has a number of awards, including the 2016 ACT Volunteer of the Year award, community leadership award and was nominated for the Australian of the Year in 2017. Yenn has worked full-time for the Australian Public Service since 2007. Yenn has been featured in media interviews for many years and was one of four autistic adults featured in the ABC TV documentary Alone in a Crowded Room. Yenn lives in Canberra, Australia
About Tanya Masterman
Tanya Masterman is a late diagnosed autistic parent of an autistic teen. A former barrister, she is now a public servant, home educator, advocate, and author. Tanya is Canberra Coordinator for TEA – Twice Exceptional Australia (a national support and educational group) and enjoys supporting parents in their journey towards a neuro-affirming lens.
About Alison Hartigan
Alison Hartigan enjoys being an Autistic/ADHD parent of autistic and ADHD children. Alison is a Mental Health Occupational Therapist (OT) and work as an Occupational Therapist supporting youth and adults, particularly supporting Autistic and ADHD and a range of other people in a strengths based way, to improve their health, wellbeing and connection - to thrive through their daily occupations. Alison also enjoys her work as a part-time tutor in the Occupational therapy program at the University of Canberra.
Alison is a member of the OT Australia Divisional Council in the ACT where she advocates to OT Australia (OTA) for occupational therapists working in Canberra and surrounds, as well as advising support needs and presenting challenges in the region for neuro-divergent people, veterans and a range of other groups.