Our Journey Through High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome: A Roadmap » (New Edition)

Andron, Linda

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.'

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Shiraz Butt, MD(Rush University Medical Center)
Description:This is a guide for people with higher functioning autism or Asperger Syndrome, their families, and the professionals working with them. It provides an account of five families and their struggle with this condition.
Purpose:The purpose is to provide practical guidelines for patients and their families. The book highlights the strengths demonstrated by Asperger patients and emphasizes the individuality of each person. Such a book is very welcome and much needed in this quickly developing field. It provides a unique perspective and meets the objectives.
Audience:Although written for people suffering from higher functioning autism and Asperger Syndrome and their families, this book is also useful for mental health professionals and teachers who come in contact with such people. The editor is a clinical social worker who has chosen to focus on autistic spectrum disorders. She has worked with hundreds of families and written many articles on the subject.
Features:This book is a personal account of five families dealing with children who have high functioning autism or Asperger Syndrome. Each family is unique and has found its own way of dealing with the illness. The chapter on social skills offers a new approach to this problem. The advice offered by the patients themselves is especially useful. The use of pictures and cartoons is another way of teaching these children, which is highlighted in some chapters. The book is inspiring to all people dealing with this condition and teaches us not to group these individuals under one category. Each person has a personal story and is capable of forming relationships.
Assessment:This is a roadmap for families and individuals dealing with Asperger Syndrome. There are other personal accounts of people who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. However, this book gives the perspectives of families and offers practical, day to-day advice on real life situations. The book does not tell readers what to do, but it offers a fresh approach and gives hope to families that these individuals are capable of forming friendships, enjoying humor, and having an active imagination.