Jeanette Purkis has a lived experience of autism and is also the author of a number of books looking at aspects of autism. She works full-time in the Australian Public Service. Dr Emma Goodall has Asperger's syndrome and has professional experience of mental health services. The author of a number of books looking at aspects of autism, Emma is a Senior Autism Advisor in South Australia.
Jeanette Purkis has a Master's degree in Fine Arts from RMIT University and works for the Australian Public Service as a policy adviser. Jeanette recently received an Excellence Award from the CEO of her department for promoting inclusion and advocating for disability. She is a frequent speaker at autism conferences and she facilitates a support group for women on the autism spectrum. She has received the ACT Volunteer of the Year award for her work in Autism advocacy and in particular in facilitating a women's group for Autistic women in Canberra. Jeanette has a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome. She lives in Canberra, Australia.
Emma Goodall, PhD, is a Senior Autism Advisor in South Australia and an executive committee member of the Australian Society for Autism Research (ASfAR) as well as an executive committee member for the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network of Australia and New Zealand (ASAN Aus/NZ). Emma has volunteered for an HIV support service, was married and divorced by the age of 22 and has a range of friends across all genders and with a variety of sexualities. As an educator, she understands the damage that bad information can cause in relation to being able to live happily and enjoy one's sexuality. Emma lives in Adelaide, South Australia, with her partner.