This guide to Asperger's syndrome outlines the disorder, its associated deficits, and some frequently asked questions about the syndrome, and also provides additional resource materials. The purpose of this book is to provide an inclusive overview and description of Asperger's syndrome for non-specialists. It provides advice to parents and teachers about an unusual and, until recently, largely under-diagnosed syndrome. The author provides information regarding diagnostic criteria, the evaluation process, associated symptomatology, and practical suggestions for relating to individuals with Asperger's syndrome. The book also includes a qualitative description of the syndrome using vignettes and quotations providing insight into the experience of the disorder. This text is geared towards parents, teachers, and nonspecialists. This guide is useful to general practitioners as an introduction to the disorder, but is primarily designed as a comprehensive but general overview and should not be relied on as a technical treatment guide. The author provides some unique features in this text. A summary list at the end of each chapter helps summarize clinical strategies. The text includes rating scales, some clinical measures, and an appendix of formal clinical criteria to help identify the syndrome. It also provides reference materials on Asperger's syndrome and related subjects, including publications and web sites. This book provides a complete and clear description of Asperger's syndrome. It is well organized and gives substantive information on aspects of this disorder without confusing the reader with technical terminology. It is a particularly good text for teachers and parents whowish to gain a better understanding of the syndrome. The book not only outlines the clinical aspects and diagnostic criteria, but also provides the reader with a good sense of what it is like experientially for individuals with Asperger's syndrome and for those who interact with them.
Reviewer: Amity Ruth, BA (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)Description: This guide to Asperger's syndrome outlines the disorder, its associated deficits, and some frequently asked questions about the syndrome, and also provides additional resource materials.Purpose: The purpose of this book is to provide an inclusive overview and description of Asperger's syndrome for non-specialists. It provides advice to parents and teachers about an unusual and, until recently, largely under-diagnosed syndrome. The author provides information regarding diagnostic criteria, the evaluation process, associated symptomatology, and practical suggestions for relating to individuals with Asperger's syndrome. The book also includes a qualitative description of the syndrome using vignettes and quotations providing insight into the experience of the disorder.Audience: This text is geared towards parents, teachers, and nonspecialists. This guide is useful to general practitioners as an introduction to the disorder, but is primarily designed as a comprehensive but general overview and should not be relied on as a technical treatment guide.Features: The author provides some unique features in this text. A summary list at the end of each chapter helps summarize clinical strategies. The text includes rating scales, some clinical measures, and an appendix of formal clinical criteria to help identify the syndrome. It also provides reference materials on Asperger's syndrome and related subjects, including publications and web sites.Assessment: This book provides a complete and clear description of Asperger's syndrome. It is well organized and gives substantive information on aspects of this disorder without confusing the reader with technical terminology. It is a particularly good text for teachers and parents who wish to gain a better understanding of the syndrome. The book not only outlines the clinical aspects and diagnostic criteria, but also provides the reader with a good sense of what it is like experientially for individuals with Asperger's syndrome and for those who interact with them.
Tony Attwood is not only an inspiring presenter; he is also an inspiring writer. Tony you have done it again! You have produced another bestseller on Asperger's syndrome. Tony's new book, The Complete Guide to Asperger, is indeed a book for anyone who has an interest or passion in understanding how individuals with Asperger's Syndrome view the neurotypical world. Tony integrates research and practice, highlighting key issues with an abundance of insightful contributions from people with Asperger's Syndrome. His eloquent style of writing is both informative and entertaining.
Professor Verity Bottroff
Tony Attwood's empathy, knowledge and common-sense approach to describing individuals with Asperger's syndrome, highlighting the problems that they and their families, teachers and carers often face, and outlining the practical and achievable strategies for intervention and education is spot-on. Attwood has achieved the rare feat of describing the current state of scientific knowledge in accessible and understandable language. The book is thus a rich source of information…I'm almost embarrassed to find myself writing such an overwhelmingly positive review, but this book was a delight to read from start to finish. Everyone who works in the field, every parent, and I suspect many individuals with Asperger's syndrome will want to read this book.
Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
When my daughter Stephanie was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, I felt I was starting at square one. My daughter had also been diagnosed with a kidney disease at birth but we got the diagnosis when she was 7, and I felt like I had a new child. One name kept coming up during the initial stages of my research: Tony Attwood. His book, Asperger's Syndrome - A Guide for Parents and Professionals was the first I read and though I have read many more since, I can say his is the best one. My daughter's school district was as unfamiliar as I was with Asperger's at first, so, along with other resources, I loaned them the book. The school psychologist said it really helped him to understand and plan a behaviour modification plan for Stephanie.
Exceptional Parent Magazine
Asperger's Syndrome provides much helpful information about the characteristics of this disorder and strategies for learning skills acquired so easily by others, but with much difficulty by the person with AS. It is an excellent guide that does not rely on scientific terminology for explanations. Chapters on social behaviour, language, interests, routines, physical clumsiness, cognition and sensory sensitivity are written in a very basic language, yet they are quite detailed and informative. Each chapter includes a brief and handy summary of strategies both parents and teachers will find helpful when dealing with children with this disorder.
… it describes the syndrome and its practical implications better than any other I have seen. I can only quote Lorna Wing's praise for Tony Attwood's "leap into the minds of people with Asperger's syndrome" in the introduction…this is the book for giving to parents and professionals in the field for understanding the syndrome and its implications. In my practice, I place considerable emphasis on helping parents and professionals to understand Asperger's syndrome and by using this understanding to work with affected individuals. I strongly recommend this book as an adjunct to diagnostic explanations and discussions of the syndrome's implications. For the practising clinician working with individuals with Asperger's syndrome this book is a must.
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Attwood injects a positive note about people with this puzzling syndrome and I found his depth of knowledge and practical experience of people with Asperger's Syndrome, as a parent, a very positive outlook…The section on Frequently asked Questions was better than having a private consultation with a specialist and gave one the sensation of being part of a well informed support group.
Journal of Learning Disabilities for Nursing
In this video Tony Attwood explains and discusses the diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome and how people who have been diagnosed in this way can be supported, and their strengths developed. He covers the theory of mind of those with this challenge and as he does, his ideas broaden our perception and understanding. The video format enables the veiwer to see his ideas in action and will be invaluable for parent support groups, training, and as a general introduction to Asperger's.
