104 of 105 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
As a parent of an Asperger teen, this book was confirming and enlightening, February 23, 2006
As a parent of a teenager with Aspergers, alot of Ms. Gradin's recommendations confirmed what I already thought: sell the skills not the personality, go into areas where your interests/fixations lie and consider working as a consultant in your area of expertise. Finding recommendations I already thought of didn't make me feel like those parts of the book were a waste. On the contrary, it is nice to have affirmation from an outside source, particularly one intimately knowledgable of autism.
Other recommendations she makes were new to me. I had not thought of them, but they make alot of sense. She encourages people to go out and interview people in their field of choice to learn what they can about the industry. For neurotypical people, this would be akin to networking. For autistics, it is couched in a manner far easier for them to manage. People on the autism spectrum are probably not going to be good at social networking. But they would be very good at the interviews she recommends. She takes classic job networking and reworks it into research. I know my son LOVES researching more information on his interests, but digs in his heels at the thought of socializing.
Ms. Gradin also discusses the different styles of learning/thinking and which jobs are good for those type of people. My son happens to have amazing visual spatial abilities and is currently taking CAD in high school where he is getting straight A's. He now wants to become an architect which is exactly one of the fields Ms. Gradin reommends for visual spatial people on the spectrum.
Other beneficial feature of the book are the list of sources for information, examples of people in a wide selection of fields and Temple Gradin's personal observances.
I'm greatful to Ms. Gradin for writing books on autism. As hard as I try to understand my son, the fact that my brain is wired differently then his means I will always approach him with a bias, unintentional or otherwise. Her books clarify and explain things I could ponder for years and still not quite grasp.
I would also highly recommend her Animals In Translation book.
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68 of 73 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fills a much needed void!, April 29, 2004
As a parent of an adolescent with Asperger Syndrome, I found this book easy to read and understand, with practical how-to instructions and guidelines for preparing my son to enter the work force. I really liked the emphasis on developing social and communication skills that are found throughout the book. This is one I will recommend to friends and relatives as well as my son's educators.
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86 of 95 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ways to use special interests for people with ASD/AS!, May 1, 2004
I have read all three of Temple Grandin's books. Each offers a different look at what it is like to experience Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). In "Developing Talents" Grandin provides the readers with insight into how parents and educators can assist people with High Functioning Autism/Asperger Syndrome (HFA/AS)achieve success.
Presented in an easy to read format,this book focuses on using one's strengths, natural talents, and special interests to gain
employment and lead successful lives. This book offers helpful strategies to promote such things as addressing sensory needs in the workplace as well as creating a portfolio to showcase one's talents.
In today's society, having marketable job skills is a must. This book gives a proactive look at some of the challenges faced by people with HFA/AS. It is important for parents and educators to introduce the concepts of the book early in the educational careers of these students as the skills are life skills in addition to career skills.
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