Asperger Syndrome in the Family Redefining Normal: Redefining Normal [Paperback]

Liane Holliday Willey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2001

Liane Holliday Willey and one of her daughters both have Asperger Syndrome. In * Asperger Syndrome in the Familyshe looks, with honesty, wisdom and humor, at the implications this has for her family, both the Aspie and the non-Aspie members. Through personal vignettes, frank discussions and practical suggestions for dealing with everything from major to minor Aspie challenges, Liane, her husband and their three daughters bravely open their home to their readers, inviting them to look behind the curtains at their version of Aspie life. Not only does the book underscore the importance of mutual support and respect in an Aspie family - in fact in any family - it offers practical help for families in similar situations. This is a rich and positive book that will speak to all those whose lives have been affected by Asperger Syndrome.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Liane Holliday Willey is a doctor of education, a writer and a researcher who specializes in the fields of psycholinguistics and learning style differences. Dr. Willey has a wonderful husband, three happy children, dedicated parents and an active social life. She also has Asperger Syndrome, just like her youngest daughter. Dr. Willey's previous book, Pretending to Be Normal, described her life with Asperger Syndrome and became an international success, attracting enthusiastic reviews. A frequent guest lecturer on 'aspie' topics, Dr. Willey is an energetic educator and advocate of Asperger issues.

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1 edition (April 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853028738
• ISBN-13: 978-1853028731
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #438,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Liane Holliday Willey is an author, avid horsewoman and owner of an equestrian show barn. She has her doctorate of education with a specialty in pschyolinguistics. She taught at the university level for over 15 years. Liane likes to share her experiences of living with Asperger's syndrome with audiences world wide, including in her presentations humor and positive insight along with the real and not so happy memories she has gathered in her almost 50 years. A good day for Liane includes time with her children, a ride on her horse, late hours with a good book and lots of TV. You can reach Liane at [e-mail] or [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now I'm beginning to understand, April 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Asperger Syndrome in the Family Redefining Normal: Redefining Normal (Paperback)

It wasn't until I read this book that I finally understood some of what my Asperger's son is going through. Although I have read many clinically oriented books, and I cognitively understood what was going on, it was this book that helped me to emotionally understand him.

This book led me to level with his siblings about his problem and add them to his support team rather than leaving them in the wake of his embarassing behavior and telling them to leave him alone. This book spoke very powerfully about needing and giving comfort to those who are scared -- and all of us are scared of something sometime. The author spoke convincingly of comfort packs that a person can take with them if they anticipate stress and need to be calmed. After reading that, I looked quite differently at my teenagers' Walkmans and my Asperger's son's unusual choice of modern equivalents to his old security blanket.

This book had a very positive effect on how my family has responded to all of our children, but especially my son with Asperger's.

The fact that this book was written by someone with Asperger's has another impact: hope for a supportive and fullfilling adult life for my son.

I would recommend this book to someone who is somewhat familier with the disorder. It wouldn't be the first book to read, but maybe the second or third.

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All I expected and then some, June 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Asperger Syndrome in the Family Redefining Normal: Redefining Normal (Paperback)

When I learned that Liane Holliday-Willey had written a second book on Asperger's syndrome, I raced to amazon.com to buy it. I was not disappointed, but, found out that, in fact, Dr. Holliday-Willey exceeded my expectations in a well-written work which skillfully intersperses her personal observations with hints and helps for anyone connected with Asperger's syndrome. This book should be required reading for anyone remotely connected with Asperger's, be it a person with AS him/herself, a spouse, friend, "significant other," parent, relative, or teacher of a person with Asperger's syndrome. Liane Willey has a wonderful, poetic style of writing and I look forward to future works from her.

Mary (AS adult)

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You Liane Holliday Willey, June 23, 2002

By 

"seejanrun" (Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Asperger Syndrome in the Family Redefining Normal: Redefining Normal (Paperback)

I am the "significant other" of a newly diagnosed Aspie. Last week I ended our one year plus relationship because I just couldn't face another day of trying to solve the NT/Aspie puzzle. I was trapped in a vicious cycle of confussion, frustration, anger, resentment and guilt. I searched the Internet endlessly for an answer...what is Asperger's Syndrome? The clinical definitions and observations were useless. I wanted to know why the man I loved chose to repeat previous conversations verbatim, mimic the gestures and actions of others and stand uncomfortably close to complete strangers. This book gave me the answers and it gave me hope. It has become my "owner's guide" or my "operating manual" if you will. Thanks to Liane Holliday Wiley I have found renewed strength to fight for the man I love.