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

Written by Sarah Nannery and Larry Nannery

Narrated by Kelsey Navarro

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Mar 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797116150

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.

Reviews for What to Say Next

[B. Vaughn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is the most wonderfully detailed manual you could possibly hope for as an autistic adult. It's unique in its full exploration of the interactions and thought processes of ASD folk and where they can veer from the beaten path.

Can't recommend enough. Great for neurotypicals, as well.

[Tina Leetz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this for both the strategies presented and the validation of experiences I've had in my own life. I'm just starting to get into autistic nonfiction written by autistic authors and I highly suggest this for women especially.