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Jennifer Cook | Love on the Spectrum

@jennifercook_author

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On Love on the Spectrum
#AuthenticallyAutistic
Making connection make sense.
WSJ Bestselling Author
👇 Work with me

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I’m autistic. I’m also a survivor of s*xual assault.

When I wrote Autism in Heels, I called one chapter “Autism by Gaslight” because so many of us grow up learning to question our own perceptions, our own discomfort, even our own memories.

That matters.

Neurodivergent people are disproportionately vulnerable to sexual violence — and part of protecting us has to mean teaching us that confusion counts, discomfort counts, boundaries count, and our own experience does not need someone else’s permission to be real.

Belonging should never require surrendering trust in yourself.

#loveonthespectrum #actuallyautistic #autisminheels #sexualassaultsurvivor #neurodiversity by @jennifercook_author

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19 days ago

“But you don’t look autistic.”

I still hear it today. Often. Even from people who should know better.

People think I’m socially smooth.
That it comes naturally.
That it’s effortless.

It’s not.

I’ve spent a lifetime paying attention: studying people…how they speak…what they wear…how they respond.

And here’s the unexpected part:

I love being with people.
They energize me.

But they can also tire me.

Sometimes both at once.

Friends ask if I’m okay when I get quiet.
I am.
I’m just holding a lot.

I’ve never quite fit the expectation.

Not typical enough for some.
Not autistic enough for others.

And in the end, the only thing I’m really an expert in is being me. If this changed how you see it, or me, pass it on. There’s more than you’ve been taught to see. #LoveOnTheSpectrum
#AutisticWomen
#ActuallyAutistic
#Neurodiversity
#masking by @jennifercook_author

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6 months ago

Many people don’t recognize autistic women when they meet us.

Not because they don’t care
but because they are looking for the wrong things.

They are expecting something obvious.
Something they can spot right away.

And sure, sometimes that’s there.
But not always.
And often, it’s because we’re trying not to let you see us.

Often, behind our “she’s too normal” masks,
there are women who are paying attention.
Trying.
Adjusting.
Showing up in ways that often go unnoticed.

And that doesn’t make us less autistic.
It makes us easier to overlook.

That’s why I wrote a book about what it was like growing up as a woman on the spectrum.
Autism in Heels.

Because when we are overlooked,
the world misses what actually matters:
our truth
our love
ourselves.

These women of LOTS are just a few of the many I’ve had the privilege of working with.

Our stories matter.
Come closer. Stay and listen.

#LoveOnTheSpectrum
#AutisticWomen
#ActuallyAutistic
#Neurodiversity
#HumanConnection by @jennifercook_author

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6 months ago

After the response to my post about sexual assault and neurodivergence, I wanted to create something practical that people could actually use and share.

Consent & Neurodivergence: 10 Things Everyone Should Know is free at the link in my bio.

Please save it. Share it. Send it.
This is only the beginning. 💕
#loveonthespectrum #actuallyautistic #neurodiversity #consent #sexualassaultawareness by @jennifercook_author

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11 days ago

You asked. I listened. So I made this.

After the response to my post about sexual assault and neurodivergence, I wanted to create something practical that people could actually use and share.

Consent & Neurodivergence: 10 Things Everyone Should Know is free at the link in my bio.

Please save it. Share it. Send it to a friend, parent, therapist, teacher, partner, or anyone who needs it.

This is only the beginning. 💕

#loveonthespectrum #actuallyautistic #neurodiversity #consent #sexualassaultawareness by @jennifercook_author

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15 days ago

Advising on #ThePitt is so fun -- especially when I get to hang with the #actuallyautistic people who bring the characters I help sketch to life! The #Emmynominated Tal Anderson and I got to have a lovely lunch together -- and I'm just so proud to rep #neurodivergentwomen in Hollywood together! #loveonthespectrum taken in Hollywood, California by @jennifercook_author

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22 days ago

Just a casual night with the hubby (amongst the stars!)....love this guy! taken in Hollywood, California by @jennifercook_author

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a month ago

Just a LOTS triple threat, taking the Emmy after-party by storm! FINALLY got to meet @king_dylan_01 in person after a bunch of Zooms, and then got to give hugs to my long-time friend, @danibowman1. Love these two -- tnx @netflix for bringing the gang together! taken in Hollywood, California by @jennifercook_author

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a month ago

Guess where I was tonight?! More than that, guess which @netflix show won the MOST EMMYS of all? #loveonthespectrum ! Photo dump to follow! (And thanks, @nostraseanus , for letting me hold the statuette. 💕) by @jennifercook_author

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a month ago

Three more Emmys for Love on the Spectrum Season 4!!!

So thrilled to celebrate Outstanding Reality Program, Outstanding Casting, and Outstanding Editing — and the extraordinary cast and team who made this season what it was.

Huge congratulations to @ciantharwa , @nostraseanus , our wonderful cast, and everyone behind the scenes who brought so much care, heart, humor, and humanity to the screen. And TY to @televisionacad for truly seeing the beauty in LOTS.

What an incredible honor to be part of this show. 💕 Can’t wait for you to see Season 5!
#loveonthespectrum by @jennifercook_author

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a month ago

Things I wish my teen self knew…
I wish I could sit down with that girl and tell her:
You don’t have to spend so much time trying to fix yourself.
You don’t have to be less intense. Less passionate. Less emotional. Less you.
The things you worry make you different are the very things that will become your strengths.
Your voice will matter.
Your perspective will matter.
The parts of yourself you are trying so hard to hide will become the parts that help you connect with people all over the world.
And someday, you’ll look back at these photos and wonder:
“Why was I ever so hard on her?”
So if YOU need this reminder today:
Be gentle with EVERY version of yourself.
You already ARE pretty amazing. 💕 PS Check out “Sisterhood of the Spectrum” for more love in hindsight.
#ThingsIWishMyTeenSelfKnew #SelfLove #Neurodiversity #AutismAcceptance #LoveLessons by @jennifercook_author

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2 months ago

I’ve always believed that being yourself never goes out of style, so here’s my version of “kinda chic.” 💕
May we all find the courage to show our joy, use our voices, create what we wish had existed, and find our people.

What would your “Kinda chic to...” be? I’d love to read yours in the comments.
💕 Jennifer
#LoveOnTheSpectrum #AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity #ActuallyAutistic #KindaChic by @jennifercook_author

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2 months ago