Autism Is Not My Name by Brianna Pezon

Brianna Pezon

St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Brianna Pezon is a 31 year old woman who is currently one year away from obtaining her second Masters degree, focusing on Organizational Leadership, after finishing her Masters in Social Work back in 2016. She received her Bachelor’s degree as one of the top students in her cohort, and received her high school diploma like any other young adult, but she knew she was different. Ever since she could remember, making friends was difficult, she did not understand social situations, and faced horrendous bullying and harassment that did not end until half way through her bachelor program. Brianna always knew she was not “normal” like the rest of her peers, and it took 16 years for someone to let her know why. Brianna has Asperger’s disorder. After this life-changing moment, she was finally able to begin the journey of identifying herself in a world that was foreign. This journey of acceptance, hope, self-awareness, self-love, and acceptance of others has taught her more about the world outside of herself then she could have ever known when she took that first step. She continues on this journey after many years of hard work but has inspired many others along the way by sharing her story.

She has presented her story to many through events such as PEACE talks and TEDxUWRiverFalls. Through these events she was able to begin her new journey of sharing her story and celebrate the stories of those on the Autism Spectrum to allow them to have their own voice. She also strives to provide education to those who have not been able to understand the pain, joy, suffering, and hope that comes with having a very different view on this incomprehensible world.

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Autism Is Not My Name

This book shares stories of those with Autism to highlight the beauty in our differences instead of the inferiority of a lifelong disability

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WHO

This book is for anyone looking to see life through another person's eyes. It is an opportunity to strap on the shoes of someone who is on the Autism Spectrum, and begin to understand how those on the spectrum view the world. Mainly this book is for those going through their school age years and are looking for self-acceptance, and for the adults who are looking to understand more of their child’s perspective. You will benefit from this book by reading these stories of adversity realizing that if the writers can get through their dark times, you will too.

WHAT

Autism Is Not My Name is a collection of non-fiction stories told through the many eyes of those on the Autism Spectrum. Each story offers the unique perspective of a person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and while each story could be read separately, collectively they bring to light the beauty found within challenging circumstances including bullying, relationships, depression, and more. The first section of the book provides education to readers who may not know what an Autism Spectrum Disorder is or how it impacts that individual. This provides more opportunity for the readers to have an insightful experience through having a base of knowledge about how those on the spectrum function differently from others.

WHY

Sometimes it hard to find compassion for someone who is screaming for no apparent reason, flapping their hands, rocking their bodies, or making you uncomfortable with their awkward approach, but these are the uncontrollable and uncomfortable behaviors that are encountered on a daily basis while living on the spectrum. Communication is a constant battle, so sometimes a scream is the only way to let your needs be known. Flapping or rocking our bodies provides comfort and stability when the world feels too overwhelming to cope. Our awkwardness in social situations comes from a misunderstanding of social cues and an unfathomable desire of wanting to fit in and be accepted. The stories within this book highlight the inner struggles of trying to fit into a world we do not understand, and presents them in a fashion that will inspire you to develop a deeper understanding and insight into their worlds while providing education in why these behaviors come from deep within our very beings.

Caretakers, parents, friends, paraprofessionals, and society at times try to describe our stories for us, but one of the many values of this book is the fact that the stories are coming from the particular eyes of those on the spectrum. Society has heard the stories of a parent scripting out the lives of their children with autism as if they know how the constant misunderstanding, over-stimulation, and uncontrollable actions feel to them, but these stories are inauthentic. When these stories come from the parent’s voice, they can only speak to what they can see. They do not understand the complexity of their child’s world due to not being in the world with them, and consequently intertwine their pain with their child’s. Each story in this book holds a life in their lines, pain in their pages, and hope in their titles. Everyone spends years of their lives being defined by what other people think is “normal,” but I believe that normal is an elastic conundrum defined by each individual in their own circumstances. Individuality in the spectrum is as diverse as the colors in a sky during a sunset. The Autism Spectrum can give a person a cloak of invisibility by being on the mild end of the spectrum where most of their inner struggles are not showcased to the rest of the world. Contrarily, the severe end of the spectrum traps its counterparts in a non-verbal world that they could not share with others even when they try. This book focuses on highlighting the beauty in our differences instead of the inferiority of a lifelong disability.

I am writing this book because of the impact I feel it would bring to those who read it. After sharing my story to many, I have seen the impact it can have as shown by tears, laughter, applause, or hugs, all coming from strangers who just needed a little inspiration to view the world in a different way. Since I first spoke up about my differences in a public view during my sophomore year of my undergraduate social work program, I have had a dream of writing a book to share my story. Sharing stories is a small task compared to the potential life-long effects it can have on a person’s life. Stories bring inspiration, and this book gives me the opportunity to not only share my story but to share the stories of others who may be left in the dark without this opportunity.

HOW

The funds gained from this campaign will be targeted towards obtaining stories from many different people on the Autism Spectrum, thus supplying the heart of this book. It will provide flexibility in how many different people’s shoes I will be able to put you in, and provide the individualized diversity the spectrum represents. To make sure the book matches up to the beautiful stories within it, the funds will also be used for professional editing, design, and printing of the book.

WHEN

My favorite part of this book is its creation, but that is a time consuming task. Unfortunately, graduate school makes time a scarce resource. I will be graduating in less than six months, and then be spending a majority of my time within others shoes gathering the stories that will inspire you and provide you with as much inner light as the sun! With these known factors, I am planning to have the book complete and ready for distribution by November 2017

OUTLINE OF AUTISM IS NOT MY NAME

Introduction

Part 1: Everyday Lives

Imagine walking through a world which you do not understand, but you get up anyway and function the best you can. Even though a day in the life of being on the Autism Spectrum can be full of adversity and challenges, there is simple beauty and triumphant victories that come from each day.

Part 2: School Life

For those on the spectrum, school can be classified as one of the most difficult aspects of their lives. Not only are they trying to learn new educational concepts, but also understanding the social activities of others, dealing with teachers who may not know how to help them, and trying to figure out who they are as a human being.

Part 3: Bullying

Imagine yourself attempting to handle all the stress that a person undergoes during school, and add cruel, inhumane, and sometimes violent bullying to the puzzle. It is hard to attempt to understand the world around you, but the world only becomes more confusing when you are being teased for reasons you may never understand.

Part 4: Friendships

Sometimes all someone on the spectrum wants is a person who will sit with them at their empty lunchroom table, a person to tell their interests and stories, or maybe someone to give them a smile as they pass in the hallway. With the social awkwardness that comes with an Autism Spectrum diagnosis, friendships can be difficult to find, and sometimes even harder to maintain.

Part 5: Discrimination

Bullying does not have a distinct end when a person leaves the hallways of their high school. Sometimes as people on the spectrum get older, the bullying they once faced becomes more brutal and turns into discrimination.

Part 6: Romantic Relationships

Although people on the Autism Spectrum are beautiful within and outside of their diagnoses, sometimes it is difficult to share that beauty with others in an intimate setting. Relationships are hard for everyone, but imagine being in a world where interpretation of feeling is more difficult than asking someone out for a first date.

Part 7: Independence

Even though it sometimes seems that everything lies against those on the spectrum when addressing an independent life, the hope and light within them can lead the way. Additionally, if the focus is on their Ability instead of their Disability, Dependence turns into Independence.

Part 8: Identity

How does someone with a beautiful light inside them show that light to others if it is being shadowed by being told that they are "different"? The journey to self-discovery of identity can be a life-long and scary road, but those on the spectrum are not afraid to take these steps.

Part 9: Depression

For anyone living with difficult circumstances, it can be an insurmountable task to keep your emotional head above water while fighting the weight of the situation. Sometimes those anchors win and bring you to the ocean bottom, but it is possible to cut the ropes, swim towards the shore, and breathe once again.

Part 10: Looking Towards the Future

Although this book shows the stormy clouds of challenge and pain faced by those on the Autism Spectrum, it is also very important to view the rainbow in the distance that shows a path towards a future full of triumph, energy, beauty and light.

9 publishers interested Express interest

	Agora Publishing Agora Publishing is a Canada-based not-for-profit organization, founded in 1997 with the aim of making book publishing accessible to all writers across Canada and internationally. We are the only hybrid book publisher which is also a cable TV show producer; newspaper publisher; social media marketer and search engine marketing organization. Do you have a Twitter following of at least 5000? We will interview eligible authors for 15 minutes for our cable TV show broadcast. If your raw interview footage generates at least 1000 views within a four day period, we will air your interview on our cable TV show. Contact us for more information. Applications are due Saturday, May 29, 2021. #authors #bookmarketing #writers #tv Hybrid publisher All categories Worldwide
	Austin Brothers Publishing 100 copies • Partial manuscript. Austin Brothers Publishing provides all the services of a traditional publisher, working in partnership with the author, to create the book the author desires. Our strength is the ability to fill any role you might have, including ghostwriting, helping you complete a manuscript, publishing, printing, distribution, or any service you might need to complete your book. Our process is determined by your needs. If you want assistance with self-publishing we can help. Hybrid publisher Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Travel United States
	Ballast Books 250 copies • Partial manuscript. Ballast Books is a full-service hybrid publisher that handles all aspects of book creation, design, publishing, marketing, distribution, and platform building. We help our authors sell more books, secure more keynotes, do more consulting, earn more customers, and book more media appearances. We want to work with the best of the best: Former Special Operations Forces, CEOs, big thinkers, industry-leading experts. Top-performing people with experiences worth sharing and skills that translate into a larger message and goal. We've seen particular success with military memoirs, but we've also recently hired a children's book specialist, so we run the spectrum of genres. We're a small but growing team and take pride in dedicating more time and energy to all our authors than traditional publishers. Hybrid publisher All categories , United States
	Mascot Books Mascot Books is a full-service hybrid publisher dedicated to helping authors at all stages of their publishing journey create a high-quality printed or digital book that matches their vision. With comprehensive editorial, design, marketing, production, and distribution services, our authors have the support of an experienced publishing team while still retaining one of the highest royalty percentages in the business. Hybrid publisher All categories
	Motivational Press 250 copies • Completed manuscript. Motivational Press is a top publisher today in providing marketing and promotion support to our authors. Our authors get favorable rates for purchasing their own books and higher than standard royalties. Our team is at the forefront of technology and offers the most comprehensive publishing platform of any non-fiction publishing house including print, electronic, and audiobook distribution worldwide. We look forward to serving you. Hybrid publisher Mind & Body, YA Fiction, Business & Money, Career & Success, Health, Fitness & Dieting, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Travel Worldwide
	BookFuel From Manuscript to Market. We help authors self-publish their books by providing the professional services needed to get books into book stores. Services offered include: Editing, Cover Design, Print Layout, eBook Conversion, and Distribution. Our unique Boost program allows authors to have their books created for $2,399. The process is guided by a dedicated Account Manager, who's goal is to produce the book the author envisioned. With BookFuel, authors retain 100% of their rights, ownership of their files, and all their royalties. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide
	Dog Ear Publishing A publishing services company dedicated to delivering amazing results to our authors. From manuscript development and editing to book design to effective marketing tools, Dog Ear delivers. Our dedicated team of publishing professionals have spent years in both the 'traditional' and self publishing worlds. We know how to build, distribute, and market great books. Dog Ear authors pay less and make more than authors from ANY other publisher. Visit http://dogearpublishing.net to learn more. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide
	ShieldCrest Publishing ShieldCrest are book publishers based in the UK who fill that vital gap for talented authors where mainstream publishers are unwilling to give them that chance. We strive for excellence and invest in our authors and are listed in FreeIndex as the number one independent publisher in the UK for price quality and service rated author satisfaction. We publish books of all genres including; fiction, historical, biographies and children's books. ShieldCrest publishing continues to grow rapidly with satisfied authors throughout the UK and overseas. Our range of products includes paperbacks, hardbacks and digitised e-books in all formats used globally in the myriad of e-readers. In addition to the above, ShieldCrest provides a complete range of services including book design and layout, illustrations, proof reading and editing. For marketing we offer author web page, press releases, social media marketing packages and many other support services to help both first time and experienced authors get their books into the market quickly and maximise on the opportunities available. These services enable us to guide our authors through the process as we transform their manuscript into a professional book, which can take its place with pride next to any famous author's book of the same genre. The staff at ShieldCrest have many years experience in the book industry and this wealth of experience is put at the disposal of our authors. Our clients include established authors such as Diane Marshall who has been acclaimed as the best writing talent to come from Scotland for years by The Scotsman newspaper, and Prof Donald Longmore OBE, who performed the first heart transplant in the UK and has sold thousands of medical books used by students throughout the world. We also recently released "Martin Foran-The Forgotten Man" by J.R. Stephenson, which features fraud within the police, abuse within the prison service and injustices in the courts and has been featured in the press and on TV. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide
	Virtualbookworm Publishing Virtualbookworm (VBW) Publishing was founded by a writer frustrated by the long wait time and occasional heartbreak often associated with the publishing industry. After researching the various "alternatives," he discovered a number of subsidy publishers that would publish any author ... for a price. Unfortunately, many reviewers (and readers) thumb their noses at books from such houses, since all it takes is cash to get published by them. Then he discovered self publishing and the endless opportunities it presented. However, such a venture requires countless hours of research of printers, proofreaders, artists, etc. And after publication, even more time is consumed trying to market the book. So, Virtualbookworm.com was established as a "clearinghouse" for authors, since it offers virtually everything under one roof. Although we now charge setup and design fees, those costs are kept to a minimum so as to cover all expenses. And, as with "traditional" publishers, we carefully review each manuscript and only offer contracts to authors who truly have exceptional manuscripts. We don't print garbage, and we want our authors to proudly say they were published by Virtualbookworm. If we accept your book for publication, you can rest assured that it will be sold next to other quality books, and not just work that had enough money behind it. And, you'll receive some of the best royalties in the business! Since our initial costs are so low, we want your books to sell as much as you do. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide

Update #3 - Call for Story Submissions! July 11, 2016

Hello!
I apologize if you are getting this message twice.
I so deeply appreciate all of the support you have given me throughout the creation …
Update #2 - Keep holding on! July 2, 2016

Hello All!
Thank you again for all of your orders and support as I continue on this journey! I wanted to let you all know …
Update #1 - 25% so far! April 21, 2016

Hello all AINMN readers!!
I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU! Your purchase and sharing efforts have gotten this campaign 1/4 of the …

Kathryn Hart
on April 4, 2016, 1:55 p.m.

reply

Congrats, can't wait to read it.

Angela Thieringer
on April 4, 2016, 2:27 p.m.

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Looks like an interesting and eye opening read. She is a local gal. Pre-orders of her book will help her to get it published!

Katie Castro
on April 4, 2016, 3:13 p.m.

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I just pre-ordered my signed copy - order yours today to support this amazing young woman!

Janice Hlavac
on April 4, 2016, 6:28 p.m.

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congratulations Brianna!! I loved hearing you speak about your story and I have no doubt I will enjoy your book just as much! Jan Hlavac

Amy Amsler
on April 4, 2016, 6:47 p.m.

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Can't wait for this book release! An insightful, informative, and heart-hooking page turner that supports awareness and advocacy, no doubt!

deleted deleted
on April 4, 2016, 9:21 p.m.

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Check out my friend's new book! An inspiring storing about those with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Melissa Redzuan
on April 5, 2016, 1:14 a.m.

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All the best to you!! This is great!

Oana Zayic
on April 5, 2016, 1:51 a.m.

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Brianna, I look forward to reading your book!! We, as a family are new to the ASD as our son was diagnosed at the end of December. Thank you for writing it! Oana

Lee Constantine
on April 5, 2016, 2:07 a.m.

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Ordered my copy. Can't wait to read it! Thnx

Joe Yang
on April 5, 2016, 1:03 p.m.

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Way to go Brianna!!

Lisa Barnett
on April 6, 2016, 1:31 a.m.

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So excited for you! Amazing work and so inspiring just like you are!

Cathy Hetrick
on April 12, 2016, 12:54 p.m.

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Best of luck - I can't wait to read your book! Thank you for sharing your story. My son is only 6 and he's pretty high functioning, so he'll soon mature to appreciate others' stories.

Ann Jensen
on April 12, 2016, 6:31 p.m.

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I ordered mine!

Sue Ellen Toppings
on April 27, 2016, 7:38 p.m.

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Super excited to have these books - we're going to create a Personal Enrichment Course for MN Women of Today chapters to help us all learn and become even better people!

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Brianna Pezon

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Autism Is Not My Name