Succeeding in College with Asperger Syndrome: A Student Guide [Paperback]

John Harpur (Author), Maria Lawlor (Author), Michael Fitzgerald (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2004

College life is particularly stressful for students with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and the resources that colleges provide for such students are often inadequate. This handbook provides information to help these students prepare for the rites and rituals of studying, interact with staff and fellow students, cope with expectations and pressure, and understand their academic and domestic responsibilities. Drawing on first-hand interviews with AS students and direct clinical experience, the authors address these and many other questions, and make practical recommendations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'This guide provides information to help these students prepare successfully for the rites and rituals of studying, interact with staff and fellow students, cope with expectations and pressures, and understand their domestic and academic responsibilities.' - Autism us 'The book has a logical progression as it begins with a brief description about preparing for college, and then follows through to discuss what to expect from a college/university environment, including chapters on academic demands, communication and socialising with others, sex and sexuality, and managing stress and anxiety levels. The authors have a thorough understanding of Asperger syndrome, and every subject they tackle is explained clearly and honestly.' - Communication 'Students with Asperger Syndrome need an environment which is encouraging if they are to succeed. This book is immensely important for students and for the staff who are trying to make college an enjoyable and productive experience. - Paul Shattock OBE, Director: Autism Research Unit, University of Sunderland; Chairman European Services for People with Autism, Hon Secretary: World Autism Organisation.

About the Author

John Harpur is a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the National University of Ireland Maynooth. His current research includes a multidisciplinary project on Emotional Intelligence and Asperger Syndrome. Maria Lawlor is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Child and Family Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Drogheda, and lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College, Dublin. Michael Fitzgerald is the Henry Marsh Professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Child and Family Centre at Trinity College, Dublin.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers (January 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843102013
• ISBN-13: 978-1843102014
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #256,467 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very handy book, August 31, 2005

By 

Elim Garak (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Succeeding in College with Asperger Syndrome: A Student Guide (Paperback)

I found this book to be an extremely practical book regarding the survival of Asperger's Sydnrome sufferers in college. Given that the majority of young AS people would end up at college, this book is essential reading.

It outlines a lot of the challenges faced by AS students in college, particularly social challenges. Many of these things are second nature to non AS students, but to the AS students a lot of these things take time and effort to understand and put into practice.

The book is written in a very simple and concise manner, and clearly goes through every logical step of any argument or situation (which is vital for AS sufferers).

That being said, this isn't any sort of 'all answer' of 'cure' book to AS, simply because nothing like that exists. It's simply a handbook that contains practical advice and tips for the AS student.

However, one of the overriding themes of the book was the emphasis on therapy and counselling for the AS student. It seemed as if the end of every paragraph had the recommendation 'see your therapist' or something similar. I grew tired of hearing that point.

Personally, I am a self-diagnosed AS student, a conclusion I reached after, quite by accident, hearing Dr Tony Attwood speak on television one day. I am only just now, almost at the end of my tertiary education, looking into AS in great detail. I only wish that I had had this book when I had first started at university. It would have saved me from a lot of embarrassing moments and awkward situations. However, I draw confidence from the fact that a lot of the methods and tips given in this book I actually developed on my own, before I had any idea about AS.

I personally feel that AS is more common that currently thought (about 1 in 250 people), and that as research into AS continues, we will begin to understand more and more about the syndrome. I hope to one day see programs in schools (particularly at the primary level) to recognise AS in students at a young age and help them deal with the condition.

This book is required reading for anyone who has, or knows somebody who has, Asperger's Syndrome.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very insightful and Asperger friendly, May 18, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Succeeding in College with Asperger Syndrome: A Student Guide (Paperback)

This is a very insightful book. It is very concrete and you feel as if it has a handle on the reality of everyday life with AS. It really peels back the layers on situations that students with AS encounter in college. It touches base with so many things that are confusing for students with AS and for the college Student Disability people and clears them up. The chapters cover everything from day one right on to student societies, dating, eating, studying, stress and even psychiatric medial information for depression.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A bible for people with AS, October 2, 2004

By 

S. Senft "rainbowbabe" (Connnecticut, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Succeeding in College with Asperger Syndrome: A Student Guide (Paperback)

I am a college student with the Non-Verbal Learning Disorder, which is very similar to Asperger's Syndrome. When I saw this book in my college library, I grabbed it as soon as I could and started reading. In all the chapters, the authors clearly and consicely(perfect for people like us!) explain all sorts of relevant topics. These include dating, mental health, social skills, and plenty more. If you or somebody you know has AS or NLD, I highly recomend showing them this book. The useful infromation will prove handy.