Making Sense of Sex: A Forthright Guide to Puberty, Sex and Relationships for People with Asperger's Syndrome [Paperback]

Sarah Attwood (Author), Jonathan Powell (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Puberty is a time of huge change in the physical body, in emotional experience and in social relationships. Having an understanding of these developments and learning how to deal with them is essential, and for people with Asperger's syndrome it can be a challenge to get to grips with the social and emotional aspects of puberty, sex and relationships.This book is ideal for those who need clear, detailed explanations and direct answers to the many questions raised by puberty and sexual maturity. Sarah Attwood describes developments in both the male and female body, and explains how to maintain hygiene and personal care, and to promote general good health. She examines emotional changes, including moods and sexual feelings, and provides comprehensive information on sex, sexual health and reproduction. She looks at the nature of friendship, how it changes from childhood to adulthood and its importance as a basis for sexual encounter. She also offers coping strategies for different social experiences, from bullying to dating, and includes essential tips on the politics of mature behaviour, such as knowing the difference between public and personal topics of conversation." Making Sense of Sex" is a thorough guide written in unambiguous language with helpful diagrams, explanations and practical advice for young people approaching puberty and beyond.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Sarah's book is an essential resource for all families who have an adolescent with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, such as Asperger's syndrome. The information is detailed and accurate, and addresses just about all the issues relating to the important subject of sexuality, which is all too often distorted and presented in a biased way. Sarah's approach is to explain the facts neutrally and realistically, while acknowledging individual values and respecting personal choice. I will certainly be recommending this book to all my clients.'- Isabelle Henault PhD. Author of Asperger Syndrome and Sexuality: from Adolescence through Adulthood

About the Author

Sarah Attwood worked for fifteen years as a sexuality educator in Australia, where she designed a wide range of sexual health programmes. Her particular areas of expertise include the education of parents and of school children aged 9 to 17 years. She grew up with a sister who has Asperger's syndrome and who has been an inspiration to her.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers; 1 edition (May 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843103745
• ISBN-13: 978-1843103745
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,457 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Sexuality

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a terrific book, July 20, 2008

By 

Robert Hughes (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Sense of Sex: A Forthright Guide to Puberty, Sex and Relationships for People with Asperger's Syndrome (Paperback)

This is a wonderfully valuable book. Bracingly clear and comprehensive, it is one that any person with Asperger's Syndrome could turn to with confidence and pleasure. More than that, though, it's a book that anyone with any questions at all about sex would find useful. I know that when I was an adolescent with hard-to-ask questions in the 1960s, it would have been a godsend. But as a father of a young man on the autism spectrum, I find the book has a special value to me: it models a way of talking to young people about life that everybody--parents, teachers, doctors, therapists--should emulate. With uncanny intelligence and sensitivity, Sarah Attwood writes in a tone that is respectful, good-humored, reassuring, and utterly frank. This distinctly friendly way of conveying information deserves cloning on a global scale.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST to read, August 19, 2009

By 

M. SUCRE (usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Sense of Sex: A Forthright Guide to Puberty, Sex and Relationships for People with Asperger's Syndrome (Paperback)

Of all the books that I've read, this is one of the best. It is a positive, clear and deep book, masterfully writen, which covers everything that needs to be cover. Every parent will we very happy to read this wonderful material, I absolutely recommend it, either if there is a SA child at home or not. My deepest congratulations to Sarah Attwood.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Thorough, July 20, 2010

By 

Mom In Minivan (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Making Sense of Sex: A Forthright Guide to Puberty, Sex and Relationships for People with Asperger's Syndrome (Paperback)

The book was a thorough guide to physical maturation and sexuality, but didn't find it helpful for understanding issues unique to Asperger's and strategies for dealing with those issues.