Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals

This book is the first book I reccommend to anyone who is facing a diagnosis of high functioning autism or Asperger's Syndrome in their family. My 10 year old son is "officially" diagnosed with high functioning autism, but those of us in the know, realize how little that means. Tony Attwood is simply amazing, this book breaks Asperger's Syndrome down for you, step by step, symptom by symptom, and is a real help and reference. Even after being involved in the autism spectrum now for over 6 years, I still refer to this book on a regular basis. Also, unlike many books I have read about autism and Asperger's Syndrome, this book is written very much for the lay person, you don't have to have a PhD to understand this book. There are also very practical solutions for many of the challenging problems unique to Asperger's and austism in here as well, many of them we have used with much sucess with our son. One example I can think of off the top of my head is teaching pragmatic language skills, something that neuro-typical children understand naturally, and children with Asperger's have to laboriously be taught. Temple Grandin's endorsement at the end is literally the icing on the cake.

Not many books can truly be called "must-have", but if you have a child with Aspergers, teach a child with Aspergers or deal in any way with a child with Aspergers, you NEED this book. I find myself referring so often back to it to help me understand my 5 year old son. I think my favorite part of this book is that it's positive---it doesn't gloss over the tough parts of life with AS, but it leaves you feeling the author truly likes and admires those with AS. I have lend this book to all my son's teachers, my parents and many others. It's amazing how it deals with the big issues, like school, dealing with changes and socialization, and even helped me understand little issues like why my son is obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine!

In the Preface, Attwood mentions meeting over a thousand individuals with Asperger's Syndrome, ranging widely in age, ability, and background, and of being impressed by some of their abilities. As an AS person myself, I am impressed by Attwood's understanding of these individuals as real people, and by the simple straightforward language used. Temple Grandin's review, as printed on the back cover of this book, said that the book would have been a great benefit to her as a teenager and young adult. It also includes positive aspects of Asperger's Syndrome. Her full review summed up the book well and could well have been included in this series of reviews. There are eight main chapters, titled Diagnosis, Social Behaviour, Language, Interests and Routine, Motor Clumsiness, Cognition, Sensory Sensitivity, and Frequently Asked Questions. There are also three appendices, including Diagnostic Criteria. And there are References, Subject Index, and Author Index. Only of late has there been a widening of knowledge of Asperger's Syndrome. This is a book that has measurably helped, and will be useful for quite a while yet.

This book was the best I have found so far. As a parent of a 7-year-old with this syndrome, it has beem my "Bible" since I got it. I never realized how much my son fit the diagnosis. For any parents with doubts about your child's diagnosis, this will ease your doubts. This book is very "layperson" friendly and easy to understand. I have given a copy to anyone who deals with my son. It has helped them also, to best deal with him. Very well written and easy to understand. Thank- you Tony Attwood!!!