Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals | 
| Author: Tony Attwood
Creator: Lorna Wing
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
List Price: $18.95
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Rating:  64 reviews
Sales Rank: 28146
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Pages: 224
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 0.5
ISBN: 1853025771
Dewey Decimal Number: 616.8982
EAN: 9781853025778
ASIN: 1853025771
Publication Date: January 1998
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Product Description
Tony Attwood's guide will assist parents and professionals with the identification, treatment and care of both children and adults with Asperger's Syndrome. The book provides a description and analysis of the unusual characteristics of the syndrome and practical strategies to reduce those that are most conspicuous or debilitating. Beginning with a chapter on diagnosis, including an assessment test, the book covers all aspects of the syndrome from language to social behaviour and motor clumsiness, concluding with a chapter based on the questions most frequently asked by those who come into contact with individuals with this syndrome. Covering the available literature in full, this guide brings together the most relevant and useful information on Asperger's Syndrome, incorporating case studies from the author's own practical experience as a Clinical Psychologist, with examples of, and numerous quotations from people with Asperger's Syndrome.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 59 more reviews...
 I could have used this book in my youth! November 21, 1999
150 out of 154 found this review helpful
In the Preface, Attwood mentions meeting over a thousand individuals with Asperger's Syndrome, ranging widely in age, ability, and background, and of being impressed by some of their abilities. As an AS person myself, I am impressed by Attwood's understanding of these individuals as real people, and by the simple straightforward language used. Temple Grandin's review, as printed on the back cover of this book, said that the book would have been a great benefit to her as a teenager and young adult. It also includes positive aspects of Asperger's Syndrome. Her full review summed up the book well and could well have been included in this series of reviews. There are eight main chapters, titled Diagnosis, Social Behaviour, Language, Interests and Routine, Motor Clumsiness, Cognition, Sensory Sensitivity, and Frequently Asked Questions. There are also three appendices, including Diagnostic Criteria. And there are References, Subject Index, and Author Index. Only of late has there been a widening of knowledge of Asperger's Syndrome. This is a book that has measurably helped, and will be useful for quite a while yet.
 Well-written impression of Asperger's characteristics March 4, 2005
Christian McCallister (The waters of the Great Lakes)
107 out of 113 found this review helpful
Tony Attwood uses a blend of case studies, research, observation, anecdotal evidence, and theory to give the reader a description of all that is entailed in people with Asperger's Syndrome. The book is well-written, and very upbeat and hope-inspiring in its tone. Many techniques are suggested that fit well with the aspects of Asperger's they are designated to treat.
Saying all that, why did I give it only three stars? There are three reasons.
1. Tony Attwood, at times, and probably in an attempt to maintain the upbeat, hopeful tone, and encourage parents to not give up, he sometimes seems to understate the severity of the disorder. The overall impression, after reading the whole book, is that Asperger's Syndrome is a collection of developmental delays and deficits that can be resolved by skill-training and/or by letting the person grow out of it (this impression comes through strongly near the end of the book). While it is certainly true that people with Asperger's Syndrome can mature out of some of the delays, and can learn techniques to cope with and compensate for some of the deficits associated with the Syndrome, I believe that the book goes too far in painting a rosy picture. When people use the suggested techniques to help someone with Asperger's Syndrome, the person will likely progress and grow, but not as quickly, as far, or as conclusively as the book suggests. I am certainly not saying I think the described methods are ineffective. I just want readers to understand that the task of helping someone with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder, might be a long journey, and the answers are often, if not usually, as clear-cut as this book implies.
2. The author starts by sticking very clearly to diagnostic criteria, in describing Asperger's Syndrome, but then gradually, almost imperceptibly, expands the boundaries of what the Syndrome encompasses, until the lines become quite blurred. Near the end of the book, Tony Attwood talks about "loners" as a way to describe people who are so far to the end of the autistic spectrum that they no longer meet any diagnostic criteria. In looking back at the entire book, I think the "loners" might be who he is describing throughout most of the book. I am a clinical psychologist who works with children. The children whom I have worked with, who do genuinely meet the criteria for Asperger's Syndrome, all presented as struggling with delays and deficits that were much less tractable than those described in this book.
3. The case studies presented in the book all seem to represent very bright, articulate (at least in writing), insightful individuals. The selection of these particular cases reinforces the points that I made in number 1 and number 2 above. Just as Temple Grandin is a truly outstanding, intelligent, insightful person with autism, and can describe autism in ways that make it graspable for many people, but still does not represent the typical person with autism, so do the case studies in this book probably not represent typical people with Asperger's Syndrome.
In the past, Asperger's Syndrome was significantly under-diagnosed and overlooked. Recently, in the news, there has been a lot of talk about the skyrocketing rate of autism and Asperger's Syndrome. I have strong questions about this "change," as I think that two attenuating factors are being overlooked: in an attempt to rectify the errors of the past, autism and Asperger's Syndrome are now being (accurately) identified much more often; again, in response to the mistakes of the past, the pendulum has swung and both autism and Asperger's Syndrome are now being diagnosed too easily and too much. I have assessed and worked with several children who had been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, prior to coming to our agency. After a thorough assessment, addressing psychosocial, psychological, psychiatric, and neuropsychological aspects, Asperger's Syndrome was ruled out. One of these children had grown up, from ages three to eleven, being labeled and treated as someone with Asperger's Syndrome, and had fit the mold given. After treatment, some sensory issues remained, but the progress was otherwise remarkable. Was this child cured of Asperger's Syndrome? No; an inaccurate diagnosis had been identified and the child's self-image, and the family's image of the child, had been adjusted, and the child had responded with a tremendous normalization of behavior. Tony Attwood's book is a reflection of the pendulum overswing that can lead to over-diagnosis of a significant disorder. In that respect, it is a disservice to those who really do have Asperger's Syndrome.
Why did I give the book as many as three stars? If the diagnostic criteria, described early in the book, are adhered to strictly, and the techniques in the book are used with a person who genuinely has Asperger's Syndrome, and the expectations for progress are set high, but kept realistic, I think that significant progress can occur. The delays can be "caught up" on, at least partly, and the deficits can be compensated for, or at least dropped to levels that are much less hindering.
A "must have" for all parents and educators of Asperger's February 23, 1999
Angel Fitzwilliams (Ft. Walton Beach, Fl.)
67 out of 68 found this review helpful
This book was the best I have found so far. As a parent of a 7-year-old with this syndrome, it has beem my "Bible" since I got it. I never realized how much my son fit the diagnosis. For any parents with doubts about your child's diagnosis, this will ease your doubts. This book is very "layperson" friendly and easy to understand. I have given a copy to anyone who deals with my son. It has helped them also, to best deal with him. Very well written and easy to understand. Thank- you Tony Attwood!!!
 Mostly accurate portrayal of persons with AS August 29, 2002
46 out of 50 found this review helpful
Tony Attwood's book on Asperger Syndrome should be considered the definitive book to date on children with Asperper's Syndrome. Therefore, any parent who has a child who they think might have Asperger's Syndrome or who has been recently diagnosed, should start here for information.Perhaps you have recognized certain traits in your children, or other people's children, or even in yourself. These traits may include difficulty understanding the rules of conversation, reduced facial expressions, a monotonous voice, a photographic memory, obsessional interests and hobbies, and a predilection towards honesty. It should be noted that not all Aspies have all the symptoms described. Therefore, if you recognize some, but not all the symptoms in your children, they may still have Asperger Syndrome. I should know this as I am an Aspie myself. For instance, I don't recall having difficulty reading other people's facial expressions or making eye contact. While I do recall making some social errorsas described in the book, it was usually because people couldn't read MY facial expressions rather than because I couldn't read theirs. I don't take everything literally as the book describes, and I DO understand figures-of-speech and metaphors, e.g. 'change your mind?', 'you're pulling my leg', 'cat got your tongue?', 'out of the blue'. Remember, Aspies can improve their social skills through behavior intervention and natural development. Also remember that Aspies are quite talented individuals who's interests can lead them to successful job prospects later in life. Asperger Syndrome is a developmental disorder, NOT an intellectual disorder.
If someone you love has Aspergers, you need this book April 26, 2000
Suzanne Amara (MA)
43 out of 44 found this review helpful
Not many books can truly be called "must-have", but if you have a child with Aspergers, teach a child with Aspergers or deal in any way with a child with Aspergers, you NEED this book. I find myself referring so often back to it to help me understand my 5 year old son. I think my favorite part of this book is that it's positive---it doesn't gloss over the tough parts of life with AS, but it leaves you feeling the author truly likes and admires those with AS. I have lend this book to all my son's teachers, my parents and many others. It's amazing how it deals with the big issues, like school, dealing with changes and socialization, and even helped me understand little issues like why my son is obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine!
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