Susan Senator

“A wide-ranging memoir and guide to autism in adulthood. … Senator is honest in acknowledging the limits of any insights one might glean from her son’s story. That acknowledgement, however, serves the book in its shared solidarity, of reaching out to always ask questions. As an emotional resource, her book is excellent.”

—Kirkus Reviews, read the whole review…

“In this book, like her others, the wonderful Susan Senator gives voice to those who are too often voiceless—folks with ASD who seek what they deserve—lives of purpose and possibilities.”

—Ron Suskind, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author, Life Animated, A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes and Autism.

“In her frank and deeply touching new book Autism Adulthood, Susan Senator shares the intimate details of her journey with her son, Nat, as he takes his first steps toward maturity in a society that offers few resources for people on the spectrum after they “age out” of the meager level of services provided to school-age children. She faces the big issues — housing, employment, relationships with siblings, finding trustworthy caregivers — head-on, and offers practical strategies for giving young autistic people the best chance to lead happy, safe, and secure lives, mapping a pathway to the future that offers autistic people and their families real hope, rather than false hopes built on misguided promises of a cure. By doing so she offers a blueprint for a world in which people at every point on the spectrum are treated as fellow citizens who deserve respect and the ability to make choices, rather than as puzzles to be solved by the next medical breakthrough.”

—Steve Silberman, author, NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity

“There is a huge need for books to help individuals with autism make the transition to adulthood. Autism is a wide spectrum, ranging from a brilliant Aspergers at a technology company to an adult who cannot dress himself. These individuals need very different services. Susan Senator describes successful journeys, as well as her own with her son Nat. I highly recommend this book for parents and teachers who are guiding individuals in the middle range within the broad autism spectrum.”

—Temple Grandin, author, The Autistic Brain and Thinking in Pictures

“Autism Adulthood will bring you to that dark place parents of young adults with autism fear. But just as quickly, Susan offers practical advice through story-telling and concise, how-to strategies that will leave you feeling optimistic, hopeful and back in control—all any of us can ask for. A thoroughly readable and important book.”

—Arthur Fleischmann, author, Carly’s Voice: Breaking Through Autism

“Autism Adulthood is a book I will be recommending to every autism parent I know. Senator is as warm as she is wise, as thoughtful as she is knowledgeable, as compassionate as she is informative. Her rallying cry of “All we can do is love each other” will resound in any parent’s heart. Senator loves fiercely—which means she does everything she can to ensure the best life and future for her adult child with autism. This book will inspire the rest of us to do the same for ours.”

—Claire LaZebnik, author, Overcoming Autism: Finding the Answers, Strategies, and Hope that can Transform a Child’s Life

“Susan Senator’s book is a must read not only autism parents but for disability parents in general. Parents need to pick up this book early and read it often to prepare practically and emotionally for the future. It is well researched from a mother’s watchful perspective. It will get you thinking hopefully about the future from the start, and is full of tips and tricks that will save you time, money and heartbreak.”

—Laura Shumaker, author, A Regular Guy: Growing Up with Autism