View source for Jennifer Cook O'Toole

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Short description|American writer (born 1975)}}
{{Infobox writer  <!--For more information, see [[:Template:Infobox Writer/doc]].-->
| name = Jennifer Cook (O'Toole)
| image = Jennifer Cook at Ed Asner Center.webp
| alt = A woman with long, red hair stands in a black cocktail dress facing the camera. Behind her is a red-carpet background for the Ed Asner Family Center.
| caption = Jennifer Cook at [[Ed Asner]] Center
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| birth_name = Jennifer Lynn Cook
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|10|24}}<!-- {{birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| birth_place = [[Glen Ridge, New Jersey]]
| death_date = <!-- {{death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
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| occupation = {{hlist|Author|speaker}}
| language = English
| nationality = American
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| alma_mater = {{hlist|[[Brown University]]|[[Columbia University]]}}
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| subject = [[Autism]]
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| notableworks = {{hlist|''Asperkids'' book series|''Autism in Heels''}}
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'''Jennifer Cook (formerly O'Toole)''' (born October 24, 1975) is an American author and speaker.<ref name = "WFAE/NPR"/> She is known for her six ''Asperkids'' books, which have been translated into six languages and include the winner of the [[Autism Society of America]]'s ''Book of the Year'' Award. Her memoir ''Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum''<ref name="Brown Alumni Monthly"/> is a [[Wall Street Journal]] Bestseller, a "Best Book" title winner by ''[[Publishers Weekly]]'', and named a "Best Memoir" and one of both the "Best Autism Books of All Time" and "Best-Selling Autism Books of All Time" by BookAuthority.<ref name="BookAuthority"/> She is the on-camera autism expert in Netflix's series [[Love on the Spectrum (American TV series)|Love on the Spectrum]].
Cook was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome in 2011; all three of her children have also been diagnosed with the condition.<ref name= "Guardian 2012"/> In 2019, she became the inaugural Senior Directorial Consultant for Jefferson University Hospitals [[Jefferson Health]] Center for Autism and Neurodiversity in Philadelphia,<ref name= "WHYY/NPR"/> and was selected to address the United States' [[National Institutes of Health]] [[Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee]] regarding the unique issues surrounding women, girls, and autism.<ref name= "NIH/IACC"/> Cook advised the President's Council on Disabilities and [[President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition]] at the White House in 2015, and, as an Advisor to the [[Sesame Workshop]], has a voice in the development of [[Julia (Sesame Street)|Julia]], the first autistic character on ''[[Sesame Street]]''<ref name="Autism, Sesame Style"/> and their "See the Amazing in Every Child" initiative.
She is a featured contributor in [[Tony Attwood|Dr. Tony Atwood]]'s ''Top Aspie Mentors: Been There, Done That'' and ''Autism & Learning Differences'',<ref name = "Autism & Learning Differences"/> and wrote the forewords to ''Dragonfly: A Daughter's Emergence from Autism: A Practical Guide for Parents'' and ''Easy to Love, Hard to Live With''.<ref name="Easy to Love radioMD" /> Cook sits on the Autism Society of America's Council of Autistic Advisors, is a columnist/expert panelist for [[Amy Poehler's Smart Girls]]'',<ref name="Smart Girls" /><ref name="Aspergers and Autism in Pink" /> Autism Asperger's Digest,<ref name="Autism Asperger's Digest" /> Zoom Autism Magazine,<ref name="Zoom Spring 2015" /> AuKids Magazine,<ref name="Aukids Our Experts" /> Special Magazine, ''and the Journal for the North American Montessori Teachers' Association [[International Art Materials Trade Association|NAMTA]], and is a commentator on [[NPR|National Public Radio]]''<nowiki/>'s ''[[WHYY-TV|WHYY]]''<ref name="WHYY/NPR" /> and ''[[WFAE]]''<ref name="WFAE/NPR" /> as well as ''[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]'s [[WTXF-TV]]<ref name = "FOX/WTXF"/> and [[NBC]]'s ''Charlotte Today''.<ref name = "Charlotte Today"/>
==Background==
Cook was born in [[Glen Ridge, New Jersey]], and grew up in [[West Caldwell, New Jersey|West Caldwell]]. She is the only child of Joseph (d. 2007) and Jane Cook. Her father was an international commercial [[litigator]]. Her mother served as the only woman on their [[town council]] for 12 years.
Cook began dancing at age two, continuing through college. At seven, she became a member of [[Mensa International|Mensa]].  Cook attended [[Brown University]], where she was a member of [[Kappa Alpha Theta]]. She [[major (academic)|majored]] in [[American Civilization]], [[cum laude|graduating with high honors]] in 1997.<ref name="The Children's Book Review"/> She was hired as a counselor in the Domestic Violence Unit of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in Charlotte, NC. In this capacity, she trained officers, led student-focused presentations in colleges and high schools, and served as a victim advocate. In 1999, Cook began [[master's degree|Master's]] work at the Graduate School of Social Work at [[Columbia University]] in New York City.  After Columbia, she enrolled at the Graduate School of Education at [[Queens University of Charlotte]], while teaching [[language arts]] at both the middle school and high school levels.<ref name = "Library Journal"/> In her first term, she garnered a student-initiated nomination for Disney's American Teacher of the Year Award.<ref name="Speaking of Difference"/>
== Personal life ==
Cook has three children from her first marriage. She was divorced in 2018 and remarried on Christmas Day, 2019. She and her family live near [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. In addition to Asperger syndrome, she has [[synesthesia]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum|last=O'Toole|first=Jennifer|publisher=Skyhorse Publishers}}</ref>
==Bibliography==
===Asperkids series===
* ''Asperkids: An Insider's Guide to Loving, Understanding and Teaching Children with Asperger Syndrome''<br /> <small>(2012, [[Jessica Kingsley Publishers|Jessica Kingsley Pub]]) {{ISBN|978-1849059022}}</small><ref name = "Library Journal"/>
* ''The Asperkids' (Secret) Book of Social Rules: The Handbook of Not-So- Obvious Guidelines for Teens and Tweens'' <br /><small>(2012, Jessica Kingsley Publishers) {{ISBN|978-1849059152}}</small><ref name = "Asperkids Publishers Weekly"/>
* ''The Asperkid's Launch Pad: Home Design That Empowers Everyday Superheroes''<br /><small>(2013, Jessica Kingsley Publishers) {{ISBN|978-1849059312}}</small><ref name ="Reference and Research Book News"/><ref name="Library Journal The Asperkid's Launch Pad"/>
* ''The Asperkid's Not-Your-Average-Coloring Book'' <br /><small>(2013, Jessica Kingsley Publishers) {{ISBN|978-1849059589}}</small><ref name="The Children's Book Review" />
* ''The Asperkid's Game Plan: Purposeful Play, Extraordinary Minds.... Ordinary Stuff'' <br /><small>(2014, Jessica Kingsley Pub) {{ISBN|978-1849059596}}</small><ref name="The Children's Book Review" />
===Other books===
* ''Sisterhood of the Spectrum: An Asperger Chick's Guide to Life'' <br /><small>(2015, Jessica Kingsley Publishers) {{ISBN|978-1849057905}}</small><ref name="Autism Daily Newscast" />
* ''Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum''<br /><small> (2018, Skyhorse Publishers) {{ASIN|B073X64DSV}}</small>
===Contributions===
* Foreword for ''Dragonfly: A Daughter's Emergence from Autism: A Practical Guide for Parents'' by Lori Ashley Taylor <br /><small> (2018, Skyhorse Publishers)</small>
* Foreword for ''Easy to Love but Hard to Live With: Real People, Invisible Disabilities, True Stories'' edited by Lisa Davis <br /><small> (2014, DRT Press) {{ISBN|978-1933084046}}</small>
* Featured 'World's Top Aspie Mentors' contributor for ''Been There. Done That. Try This!: An Aspie's Guide to Life on Earth'' edited by Tony Attwood<br /><small> (2014, Jessica Kingsley Publishers) {{ISBN|978-1849059640}}</small>
* Featured contributor for ''Autism and Learning Differences: An Active Learning, Teaching Toolkit'' by Michael P. MacMannon, with a foreword by Stephen Shore<br /><small> (2015, Jessica Kingsley Publishers) {{ISBN|978-1849057943}}</small>
===Podcast===
* ''Speaking Geek: Translating Typical for the Human Spectrum''<ref name="Speaking Geek Asperkids">{{Cite web|title = Speaking Geek: Translating Typical for the Human Spectrum|url = http://asperkids.com/speaking-geek/|website = Asperkids|access-date = October 24, 2015|language = en}}</ref>
==Awards and honors==
* BookAuthority: 74 Best Autism Books of All Time<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bookauthority.org/books/best-autism-books|title=74 Best Autism Books of All Time|website=BookAuthority|access-date=2020-02-24}}</ref>
*[[Publishers Weekly]]: Best Books List<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-5107-3284-1|title=Best Books List|website=Publishers Weekly|access-date=2019-11-04}}</ref>
* [[Booklist]] Book of Distinction Starred Review by the [[American Library Association]]<ref>{{cite book|url=https://catalog.santafelibrary.org/GroupedWork/f240a7c4-95ea-4b7e-43eb-54bea822a8a4/Home|title=Autism in heels: the untold story of a female life on the spectrum, Reviews|last=Smith|first=Candace|date=July 1, 2018|via=Santa Fe Library|access-date=2019-11-04}}</ref>
*24 Amazing Feminist Books of 2018, Book Riot, 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bookriot.com/2017/12/19/feminist-books-2018/|title=24 Amazing New Feminist Books Coming in 2018|last=Scott|first=Kate|date=December 19, 2017|website=BOOK RIOT|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-15}}</ref>
* Outstanding Literary Work of the Year, Autism Society of America, 2014<ref name = "Autism Society of America"/>
* 50 Most Influential Women in North Carolina, 2014<ref name="Charlotte Weekly"/>
* 25 Most Amazing Autistic Women, ''Autistic Spectrum Digest'', August 2014<ref name="Amazing Autistic Women"/>
*[[Temple Grandin]] Award for Outstanding Global Contributions, Future Horizons<ref name="ADN May 2014" />
* Women Inspiring Strength & Hope Award, [[Make-A-Wish Foundation|Make-A-Wish]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spectrumwomen.com/wellbeing/salads-spreadsheets-the-spectrum-the-fight-that-has-nothing-to-do-with-food-jennifer-otoole/|title=Salads, Spreadsheets & the Spectrum: The Fight that Has Nothing to Do with Food – Jennifer O'Toole|date=May 7, 2017|website=Spectrum Women|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-10-15}}</ref>
* GRASP Excellence in Parenting/Distinguished Spectrumite<ref name="ADN May 2014"/>
* AuKids Speaker of the Year<ref name="ADN May 2014"/>
* Leading Woman, The Kappa Alpha Theta Leading Women Award (2013)<ref name="The Kappa Alpha Theta Award">{{cite magazine |last=Snell |first=Greta |url=https://issuu.com/theta/docs/winter_2014_magazine |title=Leading Woman |magazine=[[Kappa Alpha Theta#The Kappa Alpha Theta Magazine|The Kappa Alpha Theta Magazine]] |date=January 15, 2014 |volume= 128 |issue= 2 (Winter 2013–2014) |page=27 |access-date=March 30, 2018}}</ref>
* Disney's Babble: Top 30 Autism Spectrum Blogs 2013
* Disney's Babble: Top 30 Autism Facebook Fan Pages 2013
* Disney's Babble: Top 30 Autism Websites
* Godiva's Woman of the Year, Nominee<ref name="ADN May 2014"/>
== References ==
{{Reflist| refs =
<ref name="ADN May 2014">{{cite news|last1=Joss|url=http://www.autismdailynewscast.com/inspiring-women-with-autism-jennifer-cook-otoole/11291/laurel-joss/|first1=Laurel|title=Inspiring Women with Autism: Jennifer Cook O'Toole|access-date=October 24, 2015|publisher=Autism Daily Newscast|date=May 26, 2014}}</ref>
<ref name = "WFAE/NPR">{{cite web|title=Asperger Syndrome And 'Asperkids'|url=http://wfae.org/post/asperger-syndrome-and-asperkids|publisher=WFAE-NPR radio|access-date=October 6, 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="BookAuthority">{{Cite web|title = 74 Best Autism Books of All Time|url =https://bookauthority.org/books/best-autism-books|website = BookAuthority|access-date = February 19, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="Brown Alumni Monthly">{{Cite web|title = Different Normal Autism in Heels is a new memoir about life on the spectrum|url =https://www.brownalumnimagazine.com/articles/2019-01-10/different-normal|website = Brown Alumni Magazine|access-date = January 10, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name= "Guardian 2012">{{cite news|last1=Rhodes|first1=Giulia|title=Asperger's: 'This is our normal'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/nov/03/aspergers-syndrome-family-social-rules|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=October 6, 2015}}</ref>
<ref name= "WHYY/NPR">{{Cite web|title = Jefferson's autism-friendly initiative aims to make health care better for everyone|url = https://whyy.org/articles/jeffersons-autism-friendly-initiative-aims-to-make-health-care-better-for-everyone|website = WHYY|access-date = May 6, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name= "NIH/IACC">{{Cite web|title = NIMH Special Event for Autism Awareness Month A Woman's Voice: Understanding Autistic Needs|url= https://iacc.hhs.gov/meetings/autism-events/2019/april23/spectrum-women.shtml|website = Department of Health & Human Services: NIH/NIMH:IACC|access-date = April 23, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name= "Autism, Sesame Style">{{cite web|title = Autism, Sesame Style: How One Muppet Girl is Changing the World|url= https://amysmartgirls.com/autism-sesame-style-how-one-muppet-girl-is-changing-the-world-a4fa82eba8ad|website = Amy Poehler's Smart Girls|date= April 6, 2017|access-date= November 4, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name = "Autism & Learning Differences">{{cite web|title = Differences in Learning|url=https://contexteducation.org/books/autism-learning-differences/|website=Context Education|access-date = December 1, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name = "Easy to Love radioMD">{{Cite web|title = Easy to Love, Hard to Live With: Understanding the Challenges of Invisible Disabilities|url = http://radiomd.com/show/naturally-savvy/item/27291-easy-to-love-hard-to-live-with|website = RadioMD|access-date = October 24, 2015|language = en}}</ref>
<ref name="Autism Asperger's Digest">{{Cite web|title = Jennifer Cook O'Toole Archives – Autism Asperger's Digest|url = http://autismdigest.com/tag/jennifer-cook-otoole/|website = Autism Asperger's Digest|access-date = October 24, 2015|language = en}}</ref>
<ref name ="Aspergers and Autism in Pink">{{Cite web|title = Aspergers and Autism in Pink {{!}} Amy Poehler's Smart Girls|url = http://amysmartgirls.com/aspergers-and-autism-in-girls-dont-be-afraid-of-your-awesomeness/|website = Amy Poehler's Smart Girls|access-date = October 24, 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="The Children's Book Review">{{cite web|last1=Hallmark|first1=Gi|title=A Chat with Asperkids™ Author Jennifer Cook O'Toole|url=http://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2014/04/a-chat-with-asperkids-author-jennifer-cook-otoole.html|publisher=The Children's Book Review|access-date=October 24, 2015|date=April 10, 2014}}</ref>
<ref name="Speaking of Difference">{{cite web|title=JENNIFER O'TOOLE|url=http://speakingofdifference.com/speakerspotlight/jennifer-otoole/|publisher=Speaking of Difference|access-date=October 24, 2015}}</ref>
<ref name = "Library Journal">{{cite magazine|title=Parenting and Teaching Children with Autism|url=http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2012/08/books/nonfic/soc-sci/parenting-and-teaching-children-with-autism/|magazine=Library Journal|access-date=October 6, 2015}}</ref>
<ref name = "Asperkids Publishers Weekly">{{cite magazine|title=The Asperkid's Secret Book of Social Rules: The Handbook of Not-So-Obvious Social Guidelines for Tweens and Teen with Asperger Syndrome (review)|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-84905-915-2|magazine=[[Publishers Weekly]]|access-date=October 6, 2015}}</ref>
<ref name ="Reference and Research Book News">{{cite journal|title=The Asperkid's launch pad; home design to empower everyday superheroes. (review)|journal=Reference and Research Book News|date=2013|volume=28|issue=4|id={{ProQuest|1416243452}}}}</ref>
<ref name="Library Journal The Asperkid's Launch Pad">{{cite magazine|title=The Asperkid's Launch Pad: Homes That Empower Everyday Superheroes (review)|url=http://bookverdict.com/details.xqy?uri=Product2013-06-15-8128311.xml|magazine=Library Journal|access-date=October 6, 2015}}</ref>
<ref name = "Autism Daily Newscast">{{cite web|last1=Rankowski|first1=Brigid|title=Let's hear it for the girls: Asperkids' new book|url=http://www.autismdailynewscast.com/lets-hear-girls-asperkids-new-book/22412/brigidrankowski/|publisher=Autism Daily Newscast|access-date=October 6, 2015}}</ref>
<ref name ="Autism Society of America">{{Cite web|title =Autism Society of America|url=http://www.autism-society.org/about-the-autism-society/boardadvisors/panel-of-people-on-the-spectrum-of-autism/#jotoole/|publisher=Autism Society of America|access-date=December 1, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name="Charlotte Weekly">{{Cite web|title = South Charlotte resident releases sixth book on Asperger's syndrome|url = http://thecharlotteweekly.com/news/2015/04/south-charlotte-resident-releases-sixth-book-on-aspergers-syndrome/|website = South Charlotte Weekly|access-date = October 24, 2015|language = en}}</ref>
<ref name="Amazing Autistic Women">{{cite web|title=Amazing Autistic Women – Special Edition of ASDigest|url=http://www.autismdailynewscast.com/amazing-autistic-women-special-edition-of-asdigest-now-available/14966/pressrelease/|publisher=Autism Daily Newscast|access-date=October 6, 2015}}</ref>
<ref name ="Smart Girls">{{cite web|last1=O'Toole|first1=Jennifer|title=Aspergers and Autism in Girls: Don't Be Afraid of Your Awesomeness|url=http://amysmartgirls.com/aspergers-and-autism-in-girls-dont-be-afraid-of-your-awesomeness/|publisher=Amy Poehler's Smart Girls|access-date=October 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031003141/http://amysmartgirls.com/aspergers-and-autism-in-girls-dont-be-afraid-of-your-awesomeness/|archive-date=October 31, 2015}}</ref>
<ref name= "Zoom Spring 2015">{{cite journal|author1=<!-- Staff Editor -->|title=Cover Story: Congratulations You Have Autism|journal=Zoom|date=2015|issue=Spring|page=33|url=https://www.joomag.com/magazine/zoom-autism-magazine-issue-3-spring-2015/0212842001427167663|access-date=October 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031004112/https://www.joomag.com/magazine/zoom-autism-magazine-issue-3-spring-2015/0212842001427167663|archive-date=October 31, 2015}}</ref>
<ref name ="Aukids Our Experts">{{cite web|title=Our Experts|url=http://www.aukids.co.uk/our-experts/our-experts|magazine=Aukids magazine|access-date=October 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031005004/http://www.aukids.co.uk/our-experts/our-experts|archive-date=October 31, 2015}}</ref>
<ref name = "FOX/WTXF">{{cite web|title=Talking #AutismInHeels and Adult Diagnoses on Fox29, Philadelphia|url=https://www.jenniferotooleauthor.com/media?wix-vod-video-id=aaf6293b2b064735b85aa4516f583245&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-jhfewo5s#|publisher=[[WTXF-TV]]|access-date=April 12, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name = "Charlotte Today">{{cite web|title=How Asperkids helps kids with aspergers|url=http://www.wcnc.com/videos/entertainment/television/charlotte-today/2014/07/04/11116472/|publisher=WCNC [[NBC]] Charlotte|access-date=October 31, 2015}}</ref>
}}
== External links ==
*[http://www.jenniferotooleauthor.com Author website]
* {{YouTube|user=AsperkidsVideos|title=Asperkids|suffix=}}
*[https://www.instagram.com/jennifercook_author/ Instagram]
{{Autism resources}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cook O'Toole, Jennifer}}
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:Writers from New Jersey]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Brown University alumni]]
[[Category:Mensans]]
[[Category:People from Glen Ridge, New Jersey]]
[[Category:People from West Caldwell, New Jersey]]
[[Category:People with Asperger syndrome]]
[[Category:Autistic writers]]
[[Category:American writers with disabilities]]
[[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:American non-fiction children's writers]]