Is that clear? Effective communication in a neurodiverse world

Is that clear? is a collaboration between Zanne Gaynor, Kathryn Alevizos and Joe Butler. Zanne and Kathryn are co-founders of Acrobat Global and are experienced trainers and language specialists. Joe is an education/autism consultant and trainer who works predominantly with autistic children and young people through her company SEND Support. Together they are passionate about improving the way allistic (non-autistic) people communicate with autistic people and feel their book is a crucial resource that promotes greater understanding leading to positive change.

Why did they write the book?

The three authors came to collaborate on the book following the publication of Zanne and Kathryn’s first book, Is That Clear? Effective communication in a multilingual world, which was also shortlisted for a Business Book Award in 2020. While running workshops based on the book, Zanne and Kathryn more than once heard that their tips for clearer, more inclusive communication could benefit an even wider audience. For example, the same advice given for more literal speech, simpler questions and instructions and less ambiguous language is also essential in promoting inclusivity in a neurodiverse world. That’s when they were introduced to Joe who, after reading their first book, immediately saw the relevance to her own work.
In March 2020 Zanne, Kathryn and Joe combined their expertise in the fields of language, training and autism and started writing Is that clear? Effective communication in a neurodiverse world.

What value does the book offer?

The book is aimed at allistic people and is packed with practical advice on how to better understand and include autistic people when communicating. Each chapter was reviewed by a panel of autistic readers who offered their valuable experiences and insights. Involving autistic people in the editing stages pre-publication was key for the authors who wanted to amplify the voices of neurodivergent people.

The book has been endorsed by autistic and allistic people alike, including by The National Autistic Society and Autism Education Trust. At the virtual book launch on November 3rd 2020, former Health Minister, and Chair of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Sir Norman Lamb, described the book as “a massively valuable contribution” and expressed his wish for the book “to become mainstream reading within the NHS”.

What have they gained from writing the book?

Writing the book has been an immensely rewarding experience and the authors have become good friends – despite Joe still not having met Zanne and Kathryn yet due to Covid restrictions! They have had a fantastic response to the book and it has been wonderful to hear how people have already seen benefits to using some of the practical strategies it suggests. The book has been warmly received beyond the UK in the US and Australia, as well as in France where it is currently being translated into French. What has been most important to the authors is the way in which the book has helped shine a light on how autistic people are all too often asked to make all the adaptations to their communication style to meet allistic expectations. This book flips the narrative and highlights how allistic people should seek to better understand autistic people and share the responsibility for effective communication.

Is that clear? Effective communication in a neurodiverse world (Published by Acrobat-Global) is available to buy on Amazon. 

Connect with Zanne: LinkedIn – Twitter – Instagram

Connect with Kathryn: LinkedIn – Twitter – Instagram

Connect with Joe: LinkedIn – Twitter – Instagram

Winners of The Business Book Awards 2021 will be revealed online on Tuesday 25th May 2021.