Jeannie Davide-Rivera

Award-Winning Author of Twirling Naked in the Streets and No One Noticed; Growing Up with Undiagnosed Autism shares her book, life, and insight into the mind of

1974: 1 in 5,000 Children had Autism

“In a world before autism advocacy…twenty years before Asperger’s Syndrome…we were in your midst. When they noticed me on tip-toes, they made me a ballerina…when the light bothered me, I was allergic to sunlight…When I only ate a few select items, I was picky…When I could not stray from my rigid routine, I was hard-headed…When I cried and screamed, I was spoiled—everything was my fault. No one recognized my autism; no one saw that I had Asperger’s Syndrome. How could they? Asperger’s Syndrome, Aspies—I—did not exist; not yet.”

A JOURNEY INTO THE MIND OF A CHILD

“School was an endless struggle of confusing instructions. They wanted me to know the answer, but didn’t want me to tell them what it was. They wanted me to raise my hand to be called on before answering, but then they didn’t call on me. Instead they asked someone else who clearly didn’t know the answer, and was not raising their hand.”

AN IMPOSSIBLE TRANSITION

“Adolescence crept up on me, and bound and gagged me when I wasn’t looking. Adulthood threatened to choke the life from my soul. My happy stimming behaviors were replaced with mind numbing alcohol. My intelligence was not being fed, and my self-worth began to rely on whose attention I attracted. I was on a downward spiral into the abyss of uncertainty. “

AN IMPOSSIBLE TRANSITION

“Adolescence crept up on me, and bound and gagged me when I wasn’t looking. Adulthood threatened to choke the life from my soul. My happy stimming behaviors were replaced with mind numbing alcohol. My intelligence was not being fed, and my self-worth began to rely on whose attention I attracted. I was on a downward spiral into the abyss of uncertainty. “

A JOURNEY INTO THE MIND OF A CHILD

“School was an endless struggle of confusing instructions. They wanted me to know the answer, but didn’t want me to tell them what it was. They wanted me to raise my hand to be called on before answering, but then they didn’t call on me. Instead they asked someone else who clearly didn’t know the answer, and was not raising their hand.”

Hi there. Glad you stopped by!

I’m an author who spends her time writing articles to help educate those who want to know what it is like to be autistic, and to encourage those who have loved ones on the spectrum. I share my life, struggles and triumphs, of both living with an autism spectrum disorder, and raising three ASD boys with the world. I hope that I can help you better understand autism from the inside.

Jeannie's Book

Twirling Naked in the Streets and No One Noticed; Growing up with Undiagnosed Autism, a memoir of Jeannie’s life, was the winner of the 2013 International Reader’s Favorites Silver Award in the autobiography category. It spent most of the year on Kindle #1 Bestseller Lists, and is available in e-book, paperback, and audio. Click to read reviews or order from Amazon.

2013 Book Fair and Awards Ceremony in Miami

Twirling Naked in the Streets and No One Noticed; Growing up with Undiagnosed Autism, a memoir of Jeannie’s life, was the winner of the 2013 International Reader’s Favorites Silver Award in the autobiography category. It spent most of the year on Kindle #1 Bestseller Lists, and is available in e-book, paperback, and audio. Click to read reviews or order from Amazon.

AngelSense and Other Recommended Products You Need

Discover how AngelSense gives us peace of mind, even allowing us to take a weekend to ourselves. Plus, recommendations for products we use like weighted blankets, body socks, calming toys, therapy swings, and more.

About Jeannie

Jeannie is an autistic author, student, wife, and mother to four boys on the autism spectrum. Jeannie’s entire life was transformed when she was finally properly diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of high-functioning autism, but that was not until she was 38 years old! Due to a recent diagnosis of Celiac Disease, Jeannie is exploring new difficulties and triumphs implementing a strict gluten-free diet and lifestyle. She loves to travel with her family and aspires to explore the entire world—food allergies, celiac, autism, and a mess load of boys in tow.

Autism Answers

Twirling Naked in the Streets and No One Noticed; Growing up with Undiagnosed Autism, a memoir of Jeannie’s life, was the winner of the 2013 International Reader’s Favorites Silver Award in the autobiography category. It spent most of the year on Kindle #1 Bestseller Lists, and is available in e-book, paperback, and audio. Click to read reviews or order from Amazon.

Autism Family Travel

I have always wanted to travel, and we are not letting Autism stop us! In this section, you will see us enjoying destinations around the world. There may be some reviews and tips along the way, but what I would like from this portion of my blog is for you to see that if we can do it, so can you. Don’t let anyone ever tell you cannot!

Take some time to look around and hang out...

When I am not writing about autism, and our lives, I am reading, working on my novel, taking college classes, and running through the mall after my children like a mad woman. Often you can find me avoiding work by talking too much on Facebook or Twitter. I’m always lurking around here somewhere talking about autism, the kids, or the darn computer that I want to throw out the window!

Ten Strategies for Traveling with Your Autistic Child

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Neurodiverse Characters in Children’s Fiction without Labels- Frederick Moody and the Secrets of Six Summit Lake

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AutismFamilyTravels at PassportsandPushpins.com

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