Autistic Author's Story Interests Sharing with Writers Reader

Today a Sharing with Writers reader is sharing with us about a feature story about an autistic author she rant across on the Web. I thought it would give my readers ideas for angles that the media (press) likes to cover and find it fascinating in its own right. What wonderful things writing can do! What a wonderful thing it is to be a writer. 

Introducing Authors with Autism to Children with Autism

By Denise Keene

A recent article published on www.WashingtonTimes.com covered Jane Meyerding, an author who wrote “Mapping Charlie.” A murder mystery novel that has received great reviews since its release, “Mapping Charlie” is about a woman with autism (who is also face blind) who is suspected of murdering her college classmate.

Like the character in her mystery novel, Meyerding is also autistic and face blind (a disorder also known as prosopagnosia where the ability to recognize faces is impaired, making it difficult to remember information about people). Meyerding was diagnosed with autism much later in life than most; she actually noticed autism symptoms in herself and made an informal self-diagnosis before being officially diagnosed. In the Washington Times article (http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/autism-unexpected/2011/nov/8/focus-autistic-author-jane-meyerding/ ), Meyerding says that her novels are “a way to help people understand that most assumptions about autism so far are based on stereotypes and simply don't fit the reality of autistic lives.”

Meyerding’s novel seems like a great read for all, as it has received five out of five stars on both Amazon and Lulu reviews. But besides the book, I find Meyerding a great role model for those like her who aspire to be a writer. As a special education teacher, I am always trying to find ways in which to inspire my students. For those students with special needs who express an interest in writing and storytelling, introducing authors like Jane Meyerding to them is a great way to provide inspiration. Students love to know that there are others like them who share their interest and have succeeded at what they love to do. Presenting author’s with autism to students with special needs is a great way to help them realize that they can indeed pursue their passions in life.

Meyerding is just one of many people who have excelled and overcome the obstacles placed in front of her. One more well-known author with autism, Temple Grandin, is another role model I like to introduce to my students. Other writer’s with a disorder on the autism spectrum include Pulitzer Prize winner Tim Page, Jerry Newport, Luke Jackson and Dawn Prince-Hughes; among many others.

“Mapping Charlie” can be purchased on Amazon.com or Lulu.com.

~ Denise Keene has been a special ed teacher for 15 years now and likes to write articles about related topics. She also owns the site http://www.mastersinspecialeducation.org and has a Masters In Special Education.

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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and how to books for writers including, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't; The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success; and Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers . The Great First Impression Book Proposal is her newest booklet for writers. She has three FRUGAL books for retailers including A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor . If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about this blog: