|
Tony Attwood
|
|
||
|
Genre
|
|||
|
Media
|
Book
|
||
Publisher | Jessica Kingsley Publishers | ||
ISBN | 9781843106692 | ||
|
Reviewer
|
Christine
|
Synopsis
The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome" is the definitive handbook for anyone affected by Asperger's syndrome (AS). It brings together a wealth of information on all aspects of the syndrome for children through to adults.Drawing on case studies and personal accounts from Attwood's extensive clinical experience, and from his correspondence with individuals with AS, this book is both authoritative and extremely accessible. The chapters examine: causes and indications of the syndrome; the diagnosis and its effect on the individual; theory of mind; the perception of emotions in self and others; social interaction, including friendships; long-term relationships; teasing, bullying and mental health issues; the effect of AS on language and cognitive abilities, sensory sensitivity, movement and co-ordination skills; and, career development.There is also an invaluable frequently asked questions chapter and a section listing useful resources for anyone wishing to find further information on a particular aspect of AS, as well as literature and educational tools.Essential reading for families and individuals affected by AS as well as teachers, professionals and employers coming in contact with people with AS, this book should be on the bookshelf of anyone who needs to know or is interested in this complex condition.
Tony Attwood
Review
Tony Attwood is very well respected in the world of Autism but I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of this book, and the way that Tony has broken down the subject into easy components for the general public and those with ASperger's Syndrome, as well as for those in the industry who are looking after people with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. I was please to see that Tony Attwood had under the title of each chapter a quote from the great Hans Asperger himself.
Attwood has made this book a perfect reference manual with a section at the end of each chapter headed:
Key Points and Strategies: Which helps families unsure of the problem with their child, teenager or adult member of the family, to discuss the possibility of Autism? The key points can help them to determine what, if anything has been notice by them on the list therefore being better prepared for when they go to meet and discuss with a GP or multi disciplinary team about the relative concerned.
It is interesting to see that Attwood mentions in his heading - The Diagnostic Assessment of Girls- "I have noted that girls with Asperger's Syndrome may be more difficult to recognise and diagnose due to coping and camouflaging mechanisms, which can also be used by some boys.''(page 46 Attwood,T.:The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome) Because boys and girls, young men and women relate to their peers in many different ways they see and learn some social attributes from the people around them but also they can still be very much out on a limb when it comes to understand the correct social niceties and correct procedures of people around them.
This particular piece jumped out of the book as, having read the assessment that was done on a friend and the reactions she had received from people who had said "she had learned to be Autistic" - I feel that Autism is definitely not a learned condition.
This the latest version of his book goes into much more depth in every chapter than the very slimline 1999 version; but it is not written just for the professionals, but as a book that both the professional, the person with Asperger's Syndrome and the person on the street can understand.
A book I recommend to everyone who wants to understand Asperger's Syndrome and help both professionally and as a family.
If you enjoy what we provide, please consider making a donation.
