Rudy ’81 Encourages Children with Autism, Families to Explore

Many families with a child with autism or Asperger Syndrome feel that involvement in the community is not for them. In Lisa Jo Rudy’s new book, Get Out, Explore, and Have Fun!: How Families of Children With Autism or Asperger Syndrome Can Get the Most Out of Community Activities (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, May 2010), Rudy ’81 offers a rich and varied menu of suggestions for how such families can take full part in community life and support the strengths and interests of their child at the same time.

Rudy explains that informal learning experiences can be the key to self-discovery, communication, self-confidence, and even independence for many children on the autism spectrum. This book will open the door to community inclusion, creative exploration, and social learning.

Rudy is the mother of Tom, age 14, diagnosed with PDD-NOS — an autism spectrum disorder. She is also a professional writer, researcher and consultant. Lisa and her videographer/photographer husband, Peter, live in Massachusetts.

Rudy holds a B.A. in the humanities from Wesleyan and a Master ’s Degree in Divinity from Harvard University. She is the author of more than a dozen trade books for children and adults.