Asperkids: An Insider's Guide to Loving, Understanding, and Teaching Children with Asperger's Syndrome [Paperback]

Jennifer Cook O'Toole (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2012

"ASPERKIDS" was named to the TOP 12 BOOKS TO READ IF YOUR LOVED ONE IS DIAGNOSED WITH ASD by Autism Asperger Digest

Author Jennifer Cook O'Toole has been awarded the 2012 Temple Grandin Award, for outstanding accomplishment and contribution to [your] family and community. Dr. Grandin, who established this award, was named to Time magazine's list of Top 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2010.

Ms. O'Toole has also just been honored by GRASP (the Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership) with the organization's 2012 Distinguished Spectrumite Medal.

As a parent, a teacher and an Aspie herself, Jennifer Cook O'Toole provides a unique insider's look into Asperger Syndrome. She shows how to help children on the spectrum by understanding how they think and exploiting their special interests to promote learning. Her strategies work because she thinks like the children that she teaches.

This book is full of original and effective methods for engaging with children with Asperger Syndrome. The author discusses theory of mind, the necessity for concrete forms of communication, and ways to inspire imagination through sensorial experiences. In particular she explores the untapped power of special interests, explaining how to harness these interests to encourage academic, social and emotional growth.

Affirming that different doesn't mean defective, this book offers the insight and guidance that parents and professionals need to connect with the Asperkids in their life and get them excited about learning.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Asperkids is about living on the "awesome" side of Asperger Syndrome...about unlocking the precious, precocious potential of Asperkids through respectful teaching, parenting and FUN.

About the Author

Jennifer Cook O'Toole is the 2012 winner of the Temple Grandin Award, the GRASP DSM Medal, and a nominee for Disney's American Teacher of the Year Award.  Beside the accolades, though, Jennifer has Asperger Syndrome and is the mother to three young Aspie children. She graduated from Brown University, and attended Columbia University's Graduate School of Social Work. She has previously worked as a social worker, and a teacher in both special needs and mainstream education. She regularly gives presentations on special needs parenting. She lives near Charlotte, North Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1 edition (May 15, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1849059020
• ISBN-13: 978-1849059022
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.5 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jennifer Cook O'Toole is bubbly and spirited -- exactly the opposite of what many people think of when they hear the word, "Aspergers," but her expertise (and the strong personal endorsements of greats like Drs. Temple Grandin and Liane Holliday Willey) proves she's the real deal.

She is the winner of the 2012 Temple Grandin Award, a recipient of GRASP's2012 Distinguished Spectrumite Medal, and
a nominee of the 2012 Autism Society Book Award and Godiva's Woman of the Year. TV actress/Activist Holly Robinson
Peete even listed Jennifer among her "Autism Parent Superstars." Most recently, she has been added to the "Who's Who" list of International Aspie Mentors -- along with Temple Grandin, Stephen Shore, Liane Holliday Willey and Anita Lesko - to contribute to Dr. Tony Attwood's "Been There. Done That. Try This." anthology. But it's Jennifer's unique "have a cup of coffee with me" conversationalist presentation of useful insights which has touched hearts, lightened spirits and even led to the founding of Asperkids, LLC, a multi-media social education company.

O'Toole was diagnosed as an Aspie in adulthood, is the mother of three Asperkids, the wife of an Aspie, an award-winning Special Educator and two-time author of brand-new books for and about Asperkids (Asperkids: An Insider's Guide to Loving, Understanding and Teaching Children with Asperger Syndrome, and The Asperkids' (Secret) Book of Social Rules: The Handbook of Not-So-Obvious Guidelines for Teens and Tweens, from Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2012). Both books were chosen by Autism Speaks as "Main Resources for Families," and Autism Asperger Digest selected Asperkids to the "Top 12 Books to Read When a Loved One is Diagnosed with ASD." Her third book, The Asperkid's Launch Pad: Homes That Empower Everyday Superheroes will be released in Spring 2013.

In November 2012, O'Toole was appointed to The Global Montessori Alliance, a core group of international educational leaders creating a formal Aspergers educators' curriculum for the North American Montessori Teachers' Association (NAMTA) and the American Montessori Society (AMS). She is the spokesperson for Autism Brainstorm, where she is also a member of the "Panel of Experts" and the voice of "The Spectrum of Montessori," Dr. Shore's educational consortium.
O'Toole has been featured by the BBC World Service and "The Guardian," the United Kingdom's most widely-circulated newspaper. Her energetic humor has delighted and informed radio audiences on National Public Radio, "It's Your Health," Autism Empowerment Radio, the Special Needs Network and others.

She speaks domestically and internationally, keynoting in October 2012 for the United Kingdom's National Autistic Society and Ireland's SHINE Charity. Jennifer has appeared on television shows in the USA, England and Ireland, is a new recurring columnist in "Autism Asperger's Digest," an international spokesperson for third-world autism education efforts, and has written for magazines from from Autism Spectrum Quarterly in the USA to "Special" Magazine in the United Kingdom.

O'Toole graduated with honors from Brown University and has since studied at the Graduate School of Social Work at Columbia University and Graduate School of Education at Queens University. Subsequent initiatives with young people garnered her an invitation to serve on North Carolina's Governor's Commission on Domestic Violence, and a nomination for Disney's American Teacher of the Year Award in her first year of teaching.

With a background in advocacy and education, O'Toole found herself "walking the special needs walk," as she struggled to achieve a diagnosis for her first child, whose early life presented one medical challenge upon another. But it was O'Toole's "Aspie" hyper-focus on otherwise seemingly disconnect details that doctors agree saved the child's life, and led to her service on the Levine Children's Hospital's Family Advocacy Council. Since that time, all three of her young children have been identified as "Aspies," as has her husband -- and eventually, O'Toole herself.

Uniquely prepared in social work, education and by her own Asperger's, she was encouraged to document her unique teaching strategies, parenting perspectives and Aspie insight in her upcoming books, and has since won some of the world's most coveted prizes for the outstanding contributions she has made to the lives and families of "Asperkids" the world over

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing read! May 16, 2012

By Jennifer

Format:Paperback

If you are looking for a great resource on Aspergers, this is the book to read. It's written in such a way that you feel almost like you are sitting with Mrs. Cook O'Toole. She answers the questions most parents with a newly diagnosed child ask in a way that is easy to understand and relatable. (Especially if you are a "neurotypical" parent to an Aspie) For me personally, I found the advice, suggestions, hints, and insight to be a breath of fresh air. It was nice to have this topic covered in a way that wasn't so impersonal and clinical as other books I've read on the topic. Also, being that the author is an Aspie, herself, gave her credibility in a way I haven't felt for other authors on the topic.

I also recommend this book if you have a child with any hyper-focusing issues such as ADD/ADHD, hyper-anxiety, OCD, etc as I've found a lot of the suggestions in this book can be very helpful for kids and parents (teachers, caregivers, counselors, doctors, the list can go on and on here) as well. I've seen my son have more "aha!" moments and less frustration ever since putting some of the suggested techniques into effect at home. Even his neurotypical sister is trying to emulate them which I think will help them have a closer relationship as the grow.

I highly recommend reading Asperkids.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Comfort and strength from someone who really knows... May 9, 2012

By Mark West

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is a comfort and a source of strength for those who love children on the spectrum. Jennifer O'Toole gives NT parents an insider's view of what it's really like to be an Aspie or person with Autism. Her style is loving, yet funny and endearing. This book is a must-read for any parent who loves someone on the spectrum. It is enlightening, affirming and an accessible guide to help us out on this journey. Amazing work! Thank you!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive Debut May 21, 2012

By hgoldstein

Format:Paperback

Jennifer O'Toole's book provides real inspiration for parents and teachers. This is a hands-on resource that is a source of comfort, but it is also a helpful educational aid. As a teacher, I appreciated all the great classroom ideas, in addition to the many recommended resources, like websites, books and educational supply companies that were new to me.
O'Toole's book provides an intimate view of the Aspie experience from one who really knows because she experiences it first-hand every day. This is her life, her husband's life, and the life of her family. Therefore, her book provides the reader with concrete suggestions that can enrich the life of any Aspie.
O'Toole not only shares her intelligence and creativity, but she also provides a role model of a person sensitively dealing with her own diagnosis and that of her children.
This is an impressive debut of an author we will hopefully hear more from.