While many people give lip services to the notion that autism is a “wiring” phenomenon, Jennifer C. Townsend brings a combination of research and student examples to help us hone our skills in working with students with autism based on empirical data. Townsend notes that none of us are born with social competence – that is a skill that we all grow and develop as our brains mature. Townsend shares research about visual fixation patterns of infants, noting that what we perceive with our eyes is impacted by what information we collect, how we organize, and then use, that information. For individuals with autism, this data collection, organization, and use process is different, and to be respected.

Townsend offers examples of moving from the different/“other” mindset to a mindset that cultivates empathy to enhance management of these differences. To that end, she offers a model of “appreciative inquiry” and offers a case study to illustrate the implementation of appreciative inquiry. A delightful combination of research and humanity, this chapter is not to be missed.