What to Say Next, Sarah Nannery
What to Say Next, Sarah Nannery
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What to Say Next
Successful Communication in Work, Life, and Love—with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Author: Sarah Nannery, Larry Nannery

Narrator: Kelsey Navarro Foster

Unabridged: 9 hr 31 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/30/2021


Synopsis

Using her personal experience living as a professional woman with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sarah Nannery, together with her husband, Larry, offers this timely communication guide for anyone on the Autism spectrum looking to successfully navigate work, life, and love.

When Sarah Nannery got her first job at a small nonprofit, she thought she knew exactly what it would take to advance. But soon she realized that even with hard work and conscientiousness, she was missing key meanings and messages embedded in her colleagues’ everyday requests, feedback, and praise. She had long realized her brain operated differently than others, but now she knew for sure: she had Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

With help from her neurotypical partner—now husband—Larry, mostly in frantic IM chats, Sarah rose to Director of Development at one of the world’s largest nonprofits. Together they have tackled challenges in how Sarah navigates personal and professional relationships, how they navigate marriage and parenthood, all of which are differently challenging for someone with ASD. But she wonders, at times, how life would be different if she’d had to figure it all out herself. So, in What to Say Next, she offers advice, empathy, and straightforward strategies from her own tool-kit—not only for others who see the world differently, but for their families, partners and colleagues.

In What to Say Next, Sarah breaks down everyday situations—the chat in the break room, the last-minute meeting, the unexpected run-in—in granular detail, explaining not only how to understand the goals of others, but also how to frame your own. Larry adds his thoughts from a neurotypical perspective, sharing what was going on in his brain and how he learned to listen and enlighten, while supporting and maintaining Sarah’s voice. At a time when more and more people are being diagnosed with ASD—especially women and girls—this book tells important truths about what it takes to make it in a neurotypical world, and still be true to yourself.

About Sarah Nannery

Sarah Nannery is Director of Development for Autism Programming at Drexel University. She holds a master’s degree in conflict transformation, and was recently diagnosed with Autism.

About Larry Nannery

Larry Nannery is a technology consultant, with experience in organizational change and life coaching along with a lifelong love of communication.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Sherry

I highly, highly recommend this book if you fall on the spectrum, if you love someone on the spectrum, work with someone on the spectrum, or really if you want a better understanding of how others may think in and feel that are different than you. The book is written by a wife/husband team and mostly......more

Goodreads review by sophie

DNF at 50%. Some tips may be helpful for some readers, but it's heavily anecdotal and repetitive. The workplace tips come from the author working a presumably middle-class job that's irrelevant to me personally. I also just won't put up with the author repeatedly mentioning Harry Potter.......more

Goodreads review by Wil

Just another book for ASD folks to have to do more and more work to survive. There is a lot of good info but it’s all on the ASD person to do. Nothing here connects with how to talk to other people about how they can contribute to a better relationship. It is not on ASD people to remake their entire......more

Goodreads review by Cherie

This is a really good book. Clear, logical, and helpful. I think the different exchanges between the husband and wife are so cute. They remind me of how my neurotypical hubby helps me with things. I am going to suggest this to my book club as our next possible selection when it's my turn to host.......more

Goodreads review by Amanda

This book was like several wrapped into one. The business advice...probably most useful for new grads, or those still flummoxed by work place social expectations. Things like breaking down the power dynamics in your management chain and how to maintain control in meetings. Not super relevant to me at......more