Life on the Bridge

Linking My World to Yours as an Autistic Therapist

Narrated by the author! Experience Life on the Bridge in the voice of Autistic Advocate, Love on the Spectrum cast member, and therapist Kaelynn Partlow herself.

This audiobook features new material that makes it a must-listen, including an introduction from and read by Cian O'Clery, director of Netflix's hit series Love on the Spectrum, as well as a bonus conversation with Kaelynn Partlow and Lisa Lane, co-CEO and co-Founder of Project Hope Foundation, a nonprofit autism service provider.

Life on the Bridge is a warm, personal, and practical guide to understanding autism—from behaviors to communication and beyond.

You've heard from autistic authors.

You've heard from therapists.

Now hear from one extraordinary young woman who's both.

Experience autism from the inside out through a rare fusion of professional skill and personal understanding. Reshape what you know about the autism spectrum and increase your ability to give support. Varied perspectives among autistic individuals, their families, and professionals have often been difficult to reconcile. Now, you can bridge that divide with guidance from someone who’s lived in multiple worlds. Find immediate, actionable options to build connections, foster communication, navigate challenges, and enhance interactions.

SPECIFIC CONTENT:

Autism. What it is, what it isn’t, and what are the resulting misunderstandings across the spectrum?

Communication. Exactly how do you avoid misunderstandings, encourage conversation, and build options for better interaction?

Behavior. Learn about the origin and mechanics of meltdowns, stimming, perseveration, sensory distortion, and other common autistic challenges.

Interaction. The struggles are real: autism-enhanced loneliness, social-skill deficits, goal-setting, and the thorny issues of disability accommodation.

Common Questions. What are DSM-V diagnostic levels and why do they matter? What about therapy and ABA or routes to useful advocacy?

"Loved Kaelynn Partlow's information on ambiguity and communication. She gives lots of practical pointers on how to be more direct and specific when talking to autistic individuals. Vague, open ended questions are not effective communication." — Temple Grandin, New York Times bestselling author of Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions

"As a rising star in the field, Partlow is poised to become this generation’s Temple Grandin." — Erin R. Hahn, Ph.D., Department Chair and Professor of Psychology, Furman University

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Well thought out. Great perspective.

As a psychologist who works with people on the spectrum and their families, this is a great read or listen. I started recommending it before I even finished it.

Insightful and Helpful

I have always loved learning from autistic voices and deeply appreciate Kaelynn’s ability to express the importance of doing so and meeting individuals where they are at while sharing her own personal experiences! Highly recommend!

Thank you

I wish i had this at least 30 years ago.
I wish my family had this 50 years ago.
I learned a lot, you will too.

autism lead autism Focus

as someone who both knows the lived experience, works in the field a b a and as family members from Level 1 to level 3 as well this book spoke to me on so many levels. as a therapist providing services would bring up a thought of one of my clients or my nephew or my own lives experience this book is the best thing I've seen in regards to talking about autism whether you're around it or zero experience I highly suggest reading and it was amazing I can't say enough

Practical recommendations to use immediate in pursuit of better engagement with friend and family in the spectrum

This book was incredible! The author did a fantastic job communicating nuance in a community fraught with disagreement on how to best serve friends and loved ones with autism. She also gave great advice for individuals experiencing autism in a way that honored their individual individuality.

In a world that sometimes waxed too theoretical regarding a wide range of experiences for people on the autism spectrum and the people who love them. Kaylynn bridged that gap beautifully. I found myself searching inward on how I can bring practical value to the many people I know living with autism and the people I know who love them.