Dr Anthony Attwood

The emotional problems experienced by those close to adults with Asperger's Syndrome are often over-looked. Focusing on the Cassandra phenomenon, this volume gathers letters, thoughts and poems to give voice to the loneliness, frustration and love felt by many individuals close to people with AS.

When Chris Slater-Walker was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome it explained why he regarded himself as "socially handicapped", but for Gisela it meant coming to terms with a marriage without any intuitive understanding. This is an account of living with AS, often thought incompatible with marriage.

Written from a parent's perspective, this book gives a candid and thoughtful account of one family's trek through the world of Asperger Syndrome. The author makes it very clear that, while professional help can be necessary, parents are in the best position to make a difference in their children's lives and should be in control of, and involved in, their children's care and education. She offers practical and positive advice on topics including* diagnosis and self-diagnosis* dealing with your own reactions and those of others* types of school and homeschooling* medication* dietary issues. Written in clear, straightforward language, the book does not promote any particular therapy or prescribe fixed solutions, but aims to help parents to ask good questions and come up with answers to suit their own circumstances and children. Full of humour and common sense, Hitchhiking through Asperger Syndrome will make encouraging, inspiring and entertaining reading for all parents of children with Asperger Syndrome.

Born with Autism, Lucy could not understand much of what was said around her. Her own language came later from newspapers and books. She created stories and poems in her head from the words she had read. As an adult she still barely speaks. In her teens she started using a keyboard with someone touching her arm, but that was not a substitute for ordinary speech. Lucy's language had developed in a world of her own making in which she had never passed on information to someone else. Even today she does not answer questions in the same way as other people. Lucy's ambition was to write a book. She went to High School. She wrote letters and essays, learnt how to explain herself and began to create characters in her stories. While writing she started to understand her own autism, and through that understanding she came to type on a computer with no physical support to complete her BA (Hons) in Literary Studies. An essential resource for anyone interested in autism, sensory issues, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), language and the practice of writing, Lucy's Story is also an intriguing, poignant and exciting autobiography.

For the families who have contributed to this book, living with autism spectrum disorders has been a journey of self-discovery. With honesty and humor, they describe the ways autism has affected their daily lives, the challenges they have faced and the approaches they have found beneficial. They share their practical and original strategies for dealing with issues such as helping children to develop empathy and humor, developing and maintaining friendships and explaining their autism spectrum disorders to other people. This book will be a source of advice and inspiration for families of children with autism and the professionals who work with them. It is practical, realistic and positive - autism is seen as something to be understood and celebrated. As 11-year-old Glen states in the Appendix, written by some of the children with autism featured in the book: `I like myself and consider my difference something positive.'

This book is an excellent guide for human resource personnel who can tap unto pool of dedicated workers. Overall this is a good book for persons diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and high functioning autism to better understand themselves. It is also an educational guide for vocational counselors and human resource personnel as it provides in-dept guidance about these potential dedicated employees.'- OAARSN Book Reviews'This practice manual will enable people diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and high functioning autism to deepen their self understanding and appreciate their value as working individuals. The workbook contains practical exercises with clear explanations and examples of how to use them... A personal wish list.'- Contact'The text is written in an accessible, non-academic style and provides useful background information on Asperger syndrome and the problems individuals may encounter. It contains a useful bibliography and Internet resource section. Although it is concerned with people with Asperger syndrome, there is much that is relevant to others with cognitive impairments. This text would be a useful purchase for those working in supported employment and for university libraries.'- British Journal of Occupational TherapyThis practical manual will enable people diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and high functioning autism to deepen their self-understanding and appreciate their value as working individuals. Through step-by-step self-assessment, the reader is encouraged to engage actively in a self-paced exploration of their employment history, and ultimately to identify the work best suited to their personal needs, talents and strengths. The workbook contains practical exercises, with clear explanations and examples of how to use them. It leads the reader to identify and explore:* three jobs they have held in different life periods* their interests, skills and talents, and their application to work* their style of learning and style of work* the social skills required by specific jobs, as identified by other people than the autobiographer* the AS characteristics which further and impede work performance* successful and unsuccessful survival strategies* issues around diagnosis and disclosure which affect life at work and outside it* creative problem solving for the present and the future - a personal wish list. Asperger Syndrome Employment Workbook will also be an essential guide for professionals, career advisors and vocational counsellors as it provides in-depth guidance and research on fulfilling employment for adults and adolescents with Asperger Syndrome and high functioning autism.

Tony Attwood's guide will assist parents and professionals with the identification, treatment and care of both children and adults with Asperger's Syndrome. The book provides a description and analysis of the unusual characteristics of the syndrome and practical strategies to reduce those that are most conspicuous or debilitating. Beginning with a chapter on diagnosis, including an assessment test, the book covers all aspects of the syndrome from language to social behaviour and motor clumsiness, concluding with a chapter based on the questions most frequently asked by those who come into contact with individuals with this syndrome. Covering the available literature in full, this guide brings together the most relevant and useful information on Asperger's Syndrome, incorporating case studies from the author's own practical experience as a Clinical Psychologist, with examples of, and numerous quotations from people with Asperger's Syndrome.