A Parent's Guide to Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism: How to Meet the Challenges and Help Your Child Thrive [Paperback]

Sally Ozonoff (Author), Geraldine Dawson (Author), James McPartland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 20, 2002

Asperger Syndrome and high-functioning autism are detected earlier and more accurately today than ever before. Children and teens with these disorders often stand out for their precocious intelligence and language abilities--yet profound social difficulties can limit every aspect of their lives. This hopeful, compassionate guide shows parents how to work with their child's unique impairments and capabilities to help him or her learn to engage more fully with the world and live as self-sufficiently as possible. From leading experts in the field, the book is packed with practical ideas for helping children relate more comfortably to peers,learn the rules of appropriate behavior, and participate more fully in school and family life. It also explains what scientists currently know about autistic spectrum disorders and how they are diagnosed and treated. Real-life success stories, problem-solving ideas, and matter-of-fact advice on everything from educational placements to career planning make this an indispensable reference that families will turn to again and again.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Among various autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism (AS-HFA) are similar diagnoses. Representing a majority of ASD cases, these two diagnoses are used interchangeably, and Ozonoff (M.I.N.D. Inst.) and her coauthors rightfully make little distinction between them. In Part 1 of this book, the authors cover definitions, diagnosis, causes, and treatments of AS-HFA, while Part 2 considers living with AS-HFA, channeling a child's strengths, and dealing with home, school, and the social world and life as an adult with AS-HFA. Throughout, readers will find excellent examples and solutions to basic problems; also included are numerous instances of older children who went beyond basic communication issues to social situations such as dating, school, living on their own, and employment. Most books on AS-HFA focus on early intervention and basic skills, but this book offers help for older children and adults as well, making it very valuable. Strongly recommended for public libraries and academic libraries with autism or education collections. Corey Seeman, Univ. of Toledo Libs., OH
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"I really like how this book emphasizes building on the talents and strengths of a person with high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome. It contains many useful case histories and combines both scientific and practical information for parents, teachers, and other professionals."--Temple Grandin, PhD, author of Thinking in Pictures

"This is the most comprehensive and practical resource available on raising a child with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism. Parents, who are typically baffled by the confusing information given to them on the topic, now have the guidance they need to maximize their child's potential while celebrating their child's uniqueness. Written in a clear and lucid style, the book is rich in real-life examples and concrete plans of action. It will empower any parent to become an effective and savvy advocate, and to help their child live a more successful and fulfilling life."--Ami Klin, PhD, Yale Child Study Center

"This is a wonderfully thoughtful, comprehensive, and clearly written book that every parent and professional interested in the subject will want to read. The authors deal with the subject in its full complexity, yet are able to present this detailed information in a straightforward, easily comprehensible way. Professional jargon is translated into readily understandable concepts and ideas, and controversial issues are handled sensitively and well. I applaud the authors for their splendid effort in translating the rapidly growing body of knowledge on autism spectrum disorders into language that everyone can understand."--Gary B. Mesibov, PhD, Division TEACCH and Department of Psychiatry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

"My wife and I are thrilled to have found this book. Refreshingly positive and very informative, it is helping us understand so much more about our son's diagnosis. The last book my wife tried to read on the topic made her cry/m-/but this one is empowering us both to action!"--Peter Mantell, father of a child with Asperger syndrome, Long Island, NY

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Product Details

• Paperback: 278 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1 edition (June 20, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572305312
• ISBN-13: 978-1572305311
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,151 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful resource for parents, September 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A Parent's Guide to Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism: How to Meet the Challenges and Help Your Child Thrive (Paperback)

As a parent, I found this book highly informative. I would not hesitate to recommend it to a parent or proffesional working with AS/HFA kids. I especially found the advice to parents about working with teachers/therapists to be very common sense, but not condescending. ie (pp107) "One of your biggest challenges as parents of a child with AS/HFA is bringing all the therapy options together into a cohesive treatment program that adresses your childs needs and promotes a normal development in an integrated fashion."

The goal of his book, as quoted on page 21 "is to help you decide whether the dx of AS /HFA are relevant to the person in your life you are worried about and whether this book will help you in your search for answers."

The process of using the DSM IV and how doctors use it to pinpoint your childs dx was made quite clear and was helpful. I was greatly helped by the explanation of the dx process in chapter two. The chapter on treatment options was laid out as clearly as posssible also. This book can give hope to parents of kids with AS that your kids will be ok, we just need to pivot expectations of ourselves and the way we can work with our kids.

I strongly agrree with the statement on pages 7 & 8..."As a parent, you will want to make sure that your child receives the most accurate diagnosis possible, but, in the case of these disorders, you need to be aware that precision may elude us for some time to come. What's important is that...regardless of the label, that the treatments suggested fit with your child's weaknesses and strengths."

Quite a few chapters were devoted to suggestions for working with AS/HFA kids at home and at school. there was alo a chapter on Teenage and Adult AS persons.

Highly recommended!

Mrs. F

38 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An intelligent thorough review of many options, March 30, 2003

By 

John Harpur (Trim, Meath, IRELAND) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Parent's Guide to Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism: How to Meet the Challenges and Help Your Child Thrive (Paperback)

There is a research thrust to this book (unsurprising given Ozonoff's research contributuons) that puts it a few notches above others in the market. Unquestionably this, plus a very fluent writing style, puts the book in a different class.

Unlike specific intervention texts, it does not lay out particular lesson plans but reviews methodological principles and best practices. As one would expect from the authors, the book is superb on descriptions of Autistic Disorders and prognosis. It has less advice on specific intervention strategies than one might like, but it does offer reviews of approaches. For interventions, I would recommend looking at Succeeding with Interventions for Asperger Syndrome Adolescents.

So what does this book offer over the many others on the same bookshelf? Well it's horses for courses. It's avery balanaced book and certainly it doesn't understate the difficulties. I think that professionals and researchers will get a more out of it than others. However, there just isn't a whole pile written on AS and adolescence. Hence parents with a research interest will also gain a lot. Ultimately it is a slightly more 'high brow' book than notional equivalents. I have certainly found myself going back to it rather than the others over the past few months.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a MUST-HAVE for any family with AS!!!, January 12, 2003

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Parent's Guide to Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism: How to Meet the Challenges and Help Your Child Thrive (Paperback)

This book sets the stage for years to come by exploring the progress that has recently been made in Asperger's syndrome analysis and understanding. It is a postive analysis of AS from all sides--the professional(cut and dried definations, explained simply and thuroughly), to the positive manner to encourage and work with "aspies" (those with Asperger's Syndrome) of all ages. This book also covers factually and with sympathy and sensitivity topics such as adolescense, adult-hood, and dating, as well as the usual preschool and elementary age recommendations.

The positive suggestions offered in this book will be inspirational and educational for parents, and should be shared with those in the schools, colleges, and even the employment fields--in other words to anyone dealing with an "aspie". The reader will have many positve ideas to try, as well as an increased understanding of AS. Since AS is increasing at alarming rates, it would be an excellent book for anyone in Special Education to read this book.