It is my hope that this documentary will aid you in your journey with Autism/Asperger Syndrome. I began this work early on when my son Sam was finally diagnosed. One strong statement that is in the documentary came from Dr. Jannesa Manning whose area of study, at the time of filming, was Neuroscience Imaging with a focus on discovering Autistic Minds.

Coping to Excelling DVD
Excellent overview of High Functioning Autism and Aspergers Syndrome!
Coping to Excelling sheds illuminating light on the topic of High-Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome in school-aged children. Narrated by a Mother of a son with Asperger’s, this engaging program allows the viewer to ‘see through the eyes’ of those on the high end of the autism spectrum while getting advice from experts such as Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. Tony Attwood, Jennifer McIlwee Myers, Billy Edwards and many more! Bottom line: This program will take these children, and their families, from merely coping with High-Functioning Autism to excelling.
Message from Dr. Temple Grandin
“I would strongly recommend the Coping to Excelling DVD not only for parents, especially those of a newly diagnosed child, but also for teachers and professionals!”
– Dr. Tony Attwood
“The brain of your child, who has been newly diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism or Aspergers, is different and functions in different ways than a typically developing child. This is not a choice the child is making; we see actual neurological differences when we query by both anatomy and function. So there is a great importance to getting therapy and getting treatments, well-defined efficacious treatments, and trying to improve the behaviors but understanding that they are coming from a place of being different neurologically.”
This statement helped me as much as anything else in understand that my son’s brain was indeed different. Understanding how this affects him has made our journey an easier and more productive one. That, and listening to him. Truly listening as each person with Autism is different in their strengths and their challenges.
The very best,
Jennifer Allen

A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Jennifer had a long career in TV Broadcasting. Upon learning her oldest son Sam had a form of Autism called Asperger’s Syndrome, she left her career and became a full-time mother to both of her sons. Jennifer elicited the participation of her family and together they produced several independent programs including a children’s animated series titled Ameriquest Kids, as well as a documentary and book titled, Coping to Excelling: Solutions for School-age Children Diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism or Aspergers Syndrome. She formed the nonprofit Asperger101 to provide on-going free resources related to ASD at Aspergers101.com and has implemented the Texas Driving with Disability Program and continues to grow the statewide initiative today. She and her husband have recently retired to their property in the Texas Hill Country.


