The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome: Advice, Support, Insight, and Inspiration (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Author), Tony Attwood (Foreword) "BEHIND every diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome there is usually a story..." (more)
Key Phrases: Social Stories, New York, Social Story (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Parents struggling to find answers about their children often have to wade through pedantic and confusing mazes. Frequently, books about medical or developmental conditions offer little more than the author's personal story or a textbookish monotone. Refreshingly, these authors delve into the shady, often misunderstood world of pervasive developmental disorders, of which perhaps the most well-known is autism, with clarity, warmth and amazing depth, focusing on Asperger Syndrome (AS). The authors present unfamiliar terms and jargon with full explanations, and with none of the patronizing tone sometimes encountered in the medical world. The reader is not left with the personal story alone, and forced to go off on her own expedition for information. The authors (both mothers of AS children) effectively trace this disorder from the onset of symptoms through adulthood. While most parents may be tempted to skip straight to Chapter 2 to devour the list of telltale signs and apply them to their own child, they would do well to start at the beginning. The book grew out of the authors' OASIS Web site (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support), which has furthered AS research immeasurably (the site's response rates alone provide important information about potential numbers of people with AS). These authors have certainly done their homework. Besides invaluable practical information, parents and other interested persons will find comfort in the book's welcoming tone and the knowledge that they are not alone.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Though few Americans have ever heard of Asperger Syndrome (AS), recent studies suggest its rate of occurrence may be as high as seven in 1000. Also known as high-functioning autism, AS is characterized by obsessive behavior, normal to high intelligence, and deficits in social interaction, communication, and imagination. Bashe and Kirby, both mothers of children with AS, rely heavily on professional literature for their book. However, they also draw upon the results of numerous parent surveys they have posted on their OASIS (Online Asperger Syndrome Information & Support) web site. Their text covers clinical aspects of AS in practical language. The authors also deal with taking control of your child's education and therapeutic program, as well looking at the whole child, including areas professionals tend to neglect. As awareness of AS grows among both professionals and the general public, so will the need for a book of this quality. A valuable purchase for most large and mid-sized collections. KellyJo Houtz Griffin, Eatonville, WA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 467 pages
• Publisher: Crown; 1 edition (November 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609608118
• ISBN-13: 978-0609608111
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #167,000 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive overview, August 14, 2002

By A Customer

I am a pediatrician with a 6 year old son with Asberger's. I have always been interested in Developmental Disabilities and consider myself a relative expert, but my son's condition continues to drive me to learn more and more.

This book provides a relatively unbiassed view of the most current information available. It is long but not long-winded. The chapters are appropriately divided and give excellent, practical advice for wading through the alphabet soup of IEP, OT, PT, SI, etc. that is so often a new world for parents.

I appreciated a fairly good overview of common conditions that often accompany Asberger's, such as OCD and ADHD. There's such overlap that a lot of families get confused when one begins and another ends, etc. Often the lines are simply too blurred to know, so this information is vital.

Most importantly, this book takes a hard look at the ripple effect this condition has on the family - coping is often a full time job. I appreciated that the book touches on what to tell siblings & the child him/herself, something I struggle with. It's a delicate balance that the book effectively discussed.

Often I found myself crying a bit because I again recognized my son in their descriptions. Although the diagnosis autism of any type is difficult to accept for your child, the assurance of a correct diagnosis is extremely powerful. The bulk of the book is spent on the "Now what?!" which is what parents crave - information on how to get to the next step and beyond. I have reread the book a 2nd time to glean even more from a 2nd reading.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most comprehensive guide to Aspies I've read!, January 31, 2002

By	Kathy Minden (Lawrence, KS United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a 25 year veteran elementary teacher and the mother of a AS son who was recently diagnosed, I have read every book I could get my hands on about High functioning austism and Asperger Syndrome. This book, by the co-owners of the excellent OASIS web site, is the best resource I've come across. The two authors draw upon their own experiences as parents of AS children, a great deal of research, and information gleaned from contributors to their web site's message boards to provide information about diagnosis, schooling, emotional life, medication, and growing up in the Aspie world. It is a well-written, comprehensive, and interesting book that should be read by every parent and educator who deals with these "Little Professors." I highly recommend it.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a gift!, November 18, 2001

By	Kathy P. Byrd "byrdwoman" (SEATTLE, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the book that all parents of kids with Asperger's Syndrome have been waiting for! Only another parent knows how frustrating it can be to research AS on behalf of our kids, running from one web site to the next, tracking down articles, finding that the most recent book on the topic you need is six years old. Now we have it all between two covers: the answers to our questions about diagnostic techniques, medications, therapies, related conditions, dealing with schools, relatives, our children and our own stresses! All of it is well researched, well-written, and easily readable. I ordered more copies for my family and for my school, and I'm drafting a letter asking our public library to stock it! This will be the book, above others, that I recommend to people asking me "Do you think my child could have AS?" Congratulations and a thousand thanks to Barb and Patty for this wonderful work.