Jennifer Cook facts for kids

Jennifer Lynn Cook (born October 24, 1975) is an American author and speaker. She is well-known for her six Asperkids books. These books have been translated into six languages. One of them won the Book of the Year Award from the Autism Society of America.

Her memoir, Autism in Heels, became a Wall Street Journal Bestseller. It was also named a "Best Book" by Publishers Weekly. Jennifer Cook is also the autism expert on the Netflix series Love on the Spectrum.

Cook was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome in 2011. All three of her children have also been diagnosed with this condition. In 2019, she became a Senior Directorial Consultant for the Jefferson Health Center for Autism and Neurodiversity in Philadelphia. She was also chosen to speak to the United States' National Institutes of Health Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. She talked about the special issues that women and girls with autism face.

Cook advised the President's Council on Disabilities in 2015. She also worked with the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition at the White House. As an advisor to the Sesame Workshop, she helped create Julia. Julia is the first autistic character on Sesame Street. Cook also helped with their "See the Amazing in Every Child" project.

She has written for many publications and is an expert panelist. She contributes to Amy Poehler's Smart Girls and Autism Asperger's Digest. She is also a commentator on NPR and Fox news channels.

About Jennifer Cook

Early Life and Education

Jennifer Cook was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. She grew up in West Caldwell. She is the only child of Joseph and Jane Cook. Her father was a lawyer who worked on international business cases. Her mother served on their town council for 12 years. She was the only woman on the council.

Cook started dancing when she was two years old. She continued dancing through college. She attended Brown University and graduated in 1997. She studied American Civilization and earned high honors. Later, she earned her Master's degree from Columbia University in New York City. She also studied at Queens University of Charlotte. She taught language arts to middle and high school students. In her first year of teaching, she was nominated for Disney's American Teacher of the Year Award.

Family Life and Interests

Jennifer Cook was married to John O'Toole from 2001 to 2018. They have three children together. In 2019, she married her second husband, Brett Banks. Cook and her family live near Charlotte, North Carolina. Besides having Asperger syndrome, she also has synesthesia. This means her senses mix, like seeing colors when she hears music.

Awards and Recognition

Jennifer Cook has received many awards and honors for her work. These awards recognize her writing and her efforts to help people understand autism.

• Publishers Weekly: Best Books List
• Booklist Book of Distinction Starred Review by the American Library Association
• 24 Amazing Feminist Books of 2018, Book Riot, 2018
• Outstanding Literary Work of the Year, Autism Society of America, 2014
• 50 Most Influential Women in North Carolina, 2014
• 25 Most Amazing Autistic Women, Autistic Spectrum Digest, August 2014
• Temple Grandin Award for Outstanding Global Contributions, Future Horizons
• Women Inspiring Strength & Hope Award, Make-A-Wish
• GRASP Excellence in Parenting/Distinguished Spectrumite
• AuKids Speaker of the Year
• Leading Woman, The Kappa Alpha Theta Leading Women Award (2013)
• 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