A Mind Apart: Understanding Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome [Paperback]

Peter Szatmari MD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 7, 2004

Why would a child refuse to talk about anything but wasp wings-or the color of subway train doors? What does it mean when a nine-year-old asks questions about death hundreds of times a day? And how can parents build a close relationship with a little girl who hates to be touched? In this compassionate book, leading autism authority Dr. Peter Szatmari shows that children with autism spectrum disorders act the way they do because they think in vastly different ways than other people. Dr. Szatmari shares the compelling stories of children he has treated who hear everyday conversation like a foreign language or experience hugs like the clamp of a vise. Understanding this unusual inner world-and appreciating the unique strengths that thinking differently can bestow-will help parents relate to their children more meaningfully, and make the "outer world" a less scary place.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"We are far from having a complete understanding of autism and Asperger syndrome, but Dr. Peter Szatmari has done an unsurpassed job of shedding light on how children with these disorders feel and act. The cases he recounts in this book touch on many different aspects of autism, including both the numerous problems that children and their families face and the successes they can achieve. The book also bears witness to the courage and perseverance of parents who, all too frequently, must struggle to find appropriate support from clinicians and educators. An enlightening and welcome resource for many, many families, and one that should also be read by all professionals in the field."--Patricia Howlin, PhD, Department of Psychology, St. George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, UK; coauthor of Teaching Children with Autism to Mind-Read

"A landmark book in terms of style and content. Dr. Szatmari explores and describes the world as perceived by people with autism to explain their unusual behaviour and abilities, and discusses scientific theories and current therapies as well as causes and prognosis. The book is written objectively and engagingly, with literary skill and a sense of optimism that will be particularly appealing to parents. Dr. Szatmari clearly appreciates and admires the minds of children with autism, and is able to explain those minds to parents while providing realistic advice on remedial strategies."--Tony Attwood, PhD, author of Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals

"Dr. Szatmari's book embodies the best of that singular tradition in which science is matched against disability, one child at a time. A clinician, scientist, and keen observer of human nature, Dr. Szatmari weaves a deeply empathic and comprehensive account of autism and related disabilities. The stories he recounts illuminate the daily challenges and triumphs that children experience, while revealing his passion for discovery and healing. The result is extraordinarily rewarding reading for families affected by autism and for the professionals who serve them."--Ami Klin, PhD, Yale Child Study Center

"This unique and beautiful book takes you on a voyage to the unusual world of children and young adults with autism and AS. In close and personal detail, Dr. Szatmari describes the struggles of families to understand their children and to understand how they themselves are changed by their children. At the same time, the book brings to life key principles in our scientific understanding of these disorders. This brilliant work should be read by all parents and all clinicians involved in helping children with autism and AS."--Bryna Siegel, PhD, author of Helping Children with Autism Learn

About the Author

Peter Szatmari, MD, has been working with children with autism and pervasive developmental disorders and their families for over 20 years, and has consulted to government agencies in the U.S., Canada, and around the world. He is currently Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Vice-Chair of Research, and Head of the Division of Child Psychiatry at McMaster University in Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1 edition (April 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572305444
• ISBN-13: 978-1572305441
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #861,192 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get this book now!!!!!!, May 18, 2004

By 

Rovena Schirling (Little Neck, New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Mind Apart: Understanding Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome (Paperback)

If you have a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder, buy this right now!! It will help you gain insight into your childs head! Dr. Szatmari actually shows you the beautiful side of the disorder, while never forgetting how difficult it can be. Excellent, excellent book!!!!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Comprehensive & Informative, July 25, 2011

By 

BT - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Mind Apart: Understanding Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome (Paperback)

Written in entertaining short story format, this book is not just another generic list of symptoms. Issues are discussed in depth. This book demonstrates clearly that people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are not only different from typical people, but different from eachother.

11 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars First-hand accounts are now common..., October 16, 2004

By 

Tara Marshall "Tara" (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Mind Apart: Understanding Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome (Paperback)

and provide more insight. Temple Grandin (HFA) and Liane Holliday-Wilson (Aspergers) have done good jobs with their books both in explaining their particular problems and in providing strategies that may work with children.

For a mere professional, he didn't do to bad of a job. I only caught him in a couple of what I would consider minor errors. The one that bothered me the most was our suppossed "lack of imagination".

I would like to correct that to lack of ORIGINAL material in our imaginations. I had a very lively fantasy world when I was a child, mostly based on Tolkien. But as I grew older, instead of simply redoing the scenes from the books over and over again in my head, I completely redid the world and took it in new directions. What we lack in originality, Aspies and HFAs make up fore in having a different set of "rules" our logic works by, so that even out of old, familiar material we can create things that look completely unfamiliar to neurotypicals (those not on the autistic spectrum).

As for his refusing to diagnose a woman as Asperger's just because she had a career, a husband, and seemed relatively content... I just don't see it. Now, I don't really have a career (I'm not very good at the social stuff to build one, but I'm strong academically), and my marriage to a neurotypical has basically fallen apart and is awaiting its official burial in the court systems, so I'm not a great example either. But I know of at least two people in the local Asperger's group who I consider to be of a similar functional level to myself who have successful relationships and careers. I don't really see what either have to do with diagnostics.