For years, support groups in the United States, Canada and Australia have used Dan Coulter’s articles to improve life for people with Asperger Syndrome and their families. The articles offer answers to challenges like getting children to listen, teaching social skills, dealing with meltdowns and setbacks, disclosure, fitting in at school, bullying, teaching siblings to understand, modifying difficult behaviors, and more. This book collects Dan’s first 70 articles. Spurred by his son's diagnosis with Asperger Syndrome, Dan used his skills as a successful television writer/producer/director and public relations executive to become a leading Asperger advocate. This book includes the best practices Dan has gathered for people with Asperger Syndrome and for their parents, teachers, psychologists, counselors and other supporters. Dan himself was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in 2009. With warmth and humor, Dan focuses on positive, practical steps that have worked for a wide range of individuals and families.
REVIEWS
BRENDA SMITH MYLES, Ph.D - Specialist at Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI); Consultant at Ziggurat Group "Dan Coulter's articles are truly amazing. They have the unique ability to help you understand and reflect. Dan's uses his sense of humor and deep understanding of ASD to help us see the limitless potential of individuals on the spectrum."
SUE MORENO, President – MAAP Services for Asperger Syndrome and Autism "Dan Coulter is a fount of wisdom, positive outlooks, constructive information and advice and personal experience in autism and Asperger syndrome. From social skills training to what to tell others, this book is a true gem of help and encouragement."
TERESA BOLICK, Ph.D. – Psychologist and author of Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Helping Preteens & Teens Get Ready for the Real World "Dan Coulter's articles are filled with 'nuggets of gold' that can be used right away by individuals with Asperger syndrome, family members, and professionals. Whenever I read Dan's articles, I find myself thinking, "Wow! I wish I had thought of that!"
PATRICIA R. SCHISSEL, LMSW – Executive Director, Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association (AHA) Inc. "Dan Coulter’s articles and videos convey his positive and engaging attitude towards family and life. His never-ending stock of topics, filled with insight and humor, make him my go-to guy as I eagerly await his next professionally-done video or article explaining employment or manners for individuals with Asperger Syndrome that will help a weary parent or professional understand our folks better – and chuckle, too. I recommend his work and his web site to our support groups, and happily send his articles out over the AHA eNews (and keep getting asked for more!)."
LORI S. SHERY, President – ASPEN Asperger Syndrome Education Network "Dan Coulter’s articles are a welcome tonic for the doubts and frustrations experienced by parents of children on the autism spectrum. With his warm and comforting style, he offers insight and common sense advice…"
CATHY PRATT, Ph.D – Director of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community located at Indiana University. "For years, the Indiana Resource Center for Autism has been honored to disseminate Dan Coulter’s articles across Indiana. He provides information that is thoughtful and practical."
Before he was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in 2009, Dan Coulter spent his life dealing with mysterious contradictions. As a child, he was a voracious reader, but tended to be literal and naïve in social interactions. He had a talent for writing and speaking, but had difficulty making small talk. He could remember things that interested him in extraordinary detail, but had difficulty remembering people’s names. He could sometimes see innovative solutions to problems, but could be overwhelmed to the point where he couldn’t speak in awkward social situations. He could think of funny things to say, but sometimes couldn’t foresee when they’d be tactless. Learning to use his strengths to compensate for his challenges, Dan helped put himself through college as a radio disk jockey and television announcer. He graduated with honors from the University of Missouri, was named a University Scholar and elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After college, Dan's jobs routinely involved writing. He wrote his copy as a weather reporter at KQTV in St. Joseph, Missouri, and wrote promos as the station's promotion director. He wrote educational television scripts at a community college in Kansas, and later wrote scripts as a TV writer/producer/director for AT&T. As Dan moved up the corporate ladder at AT&T, Lucent Technologies and Bell Labs, he wrote news releases, employee communications and executive speeches. His accolades include a Golden Reel of Excellence from the International Television Association for comedy writing. In Dan's final corporate job, he served as Vice President of Communications for telecom company Global Crossing. After his son, Drew, was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, Dan started writing video scripts, articles and speeches to reach people with Asperger Syndrome and those who support them. Dan and his wife Julie now spend the majority of their time producing videos and speaking at Asperger and autism-related conferences across the country.
