Jennifer Cook
About Jennifer Cook
Speaking videos
Media coverage
I didn't find out I was autistic until I was an adult at 35
Jul 30, 2021 ... Growing up in West Caldwell, NJ, Jennifer Cook wouldn't play pretend with her Barbies. ... At age 35, Cook was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Books by Jennifer Cook
“Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum” (2021)
Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum
“Sisterhood of the Spectrum” (2015)
Spectrum gals, ever wished you had a handbook to help navigate the confusing world of teenage girlhood? Look no further! Aspie-in-the-know, Jennifer Cook O'Toole provides just that with her inspirational guide to life for teenage girls with Asperger syndrome. Drawing on her own, real-life experiences rather than preaching from textbooks, she covers everything you need (and want!) to know, from body shapes and love interests to bullying, friendships and how to discover and celebrate your unique, beautiful self. With illustrations by an Aspie teen and inspirational quotes from well-known, female Aspie voices, including Temple Grandin, Rudy Simone, Robyn Steward, and Haley Moss, Sisterhood of the Spectrum is your perfect companion on the "yellow brick road" to womanhood. It will leave you empowered, informed and excited to be different.
“The Asperkid's Game Plan: Extraordinary Minds, Purposeful Play... Ordinary Stuff” (2014)
The Asperkid's Game Plan looks from the inside at the learning style of children with Asperger syndrome and explains how to introduce structured play that engages Asperkids and explicitly addresses ASD weaknesses while reinforcing ASD strengths. Showing how just about anything can be turned into an opportunity for learning and growth, the book is full of go-to ideas for making simple play equipment in the home or classroom and using it to develop core skills that Asperkids struggle with, from fine motor and social skills, to planning and organization. Whether it's origami math, fried marbles, or a bug's eye view scavenger hunt, every game, project, and idea in the book is explained with clear directions and learning objectives and illustrated with color photographs. Jennifer O'Toole's enthusiastic approach and fun lessons, based on Montessori principles, will inspire and motivate parents, educators, and therapists to make purposeful play a part of every Asperkid's day.
“Asperkid's Launch Pad: Homes that Empower Everyday Superheroes” (2013)
For Asperkids, home is both their protected lair and their launch pad into success in a neurotypical world. Jennifer O'Toole provides parents with all the help they need in planning their home environment to encourage their Asperkid superheroes to soar. The Asperkid's Launch Pad is a visually-led guide to preparing a home environment that supports the development of children with Asperger syndrome. From a bedroom light switch that the child can easily reach, to a tucked-away safe place that he or she can retreat to when feeling overwhelmed or anxious, small changes in the home can boost the child's self-confidence, independence, comfort and life skills. Award-winning author Jennifer O'Toole gives readers a walk-through tour of the home, showing, room by room, how physical surroundings affect Asperkids and highlighting the learning opportunities in every space and object. Beautifully presented with color photographs throughout, this functional and fun book will win a place in the homes and hearts of all parents of children with Asperger syndrome.
“The Asperkid's (Secret) Book of Social Rules: The Handbook of Not-So-Obvious Social Guidelines for Tweens and Teens With Asperger Syndrome” (2012)
Being a teen or tween isn't easy for anyone but it can be especially tough for Asperkids. Jennifer O'Toole knows; she was one! This book is a top secret guide to all of the hidden social rules in life that often seem strange and confusing to young people with Asperger syndrome. The Asperkid's (Secret) Book of Social Rules offers witty and wise insights into baffling social codes such as making and keeping friends, blending in versus standing out from the crowd, and common conversation pitfalls. Chock full of illustrations, logical explanations, and comic strip practice sessions, this is the handbook that every adult Aspie wishes they'd had growing up. Ideal for all 10-17 year olds with Asperger syndrome, this book provides inside information on over thirty social rules in bite-sized chunks that older children will enjoy, understand, and most importantly use daily to navigate the mysterious world around them.
At a glanceJennifer Cook
Recommended offer:
Get a custom quote for your event:
Get StartedBrowse Similar Speakers
Speaker Search is a marketplace of speakers designed for talent buyers. We do not represent or manage speakers; instead, we provide event planners with the most comprehensive resource to discover and book the right talent.