Asperger's Huh? A Child's Perspective
by Rosina G. Schnurr

Our Price: $179.16
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $44.03 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions

Book Summary Information

Book Reviews of Asperger's Huh? A Child's Perspective

Book Review: A small book that meets a big need!
Summary: 5 Stars

Numerous excellent books about Asperger's have been published within the last five years. Some explain this mild form of autism in clinical terms for professionals and others offer practical tips for parents and teachers.("Asperger's Syndrome, A Guide for Parents and Professionals"' Tony Attwood, 1998; "Asperger Syndrome, A Practical Guide for Teachers", Cumine, Leach and Stevenson). A couple of books are aimed at adolescents and adults with the condition. ("What is Asperger syndrome and how will it affect me? A guide for young people", Martine Ives of the NAS Autism Helpline in the United Kingdom; "Pretending to be Normal- Living with Asperger's Syndrome", Liane Holliday Willey, 1999).

"Asperger's Huh?" is the only book I know of that is geared specifically for children in the 6-12 age range when the diagnosis is frequently made.Written from the perspective of an 11-year-old boy who has just been diagnosed, the book explains the disorder, offers reassurance and gives practical suggestions. The child tells the story, familiar to many Asperger children and parents, of how he discovers he has Asperger's after many social blunders and endless trips to different doctors. In his own 11-year-old way he describes how he learns that those with Asperger's have a hard time making friends and they get upset easily. He talks about learning "social sillies" (social skills) and learning how to deal with being called a "weather weebie" because he likes to talk about the weather all the time. He finds out that like him, lots of kids with Asperger's aren't very good at team sports. He describes how he is really smart in some ways, like remembering complex words, but has a hard time with other things, like understanding what he has read. He learns "anxiety busters" which help him relax and deal with frustrations when things don't go right. He learns that he must try to be FAAT, which means to be Flexible, Adaptable, Appropriate and to Trust someone. Best of all, he finds out that having Asperger's Disorder isn't such a bad thing, especially if you have people you trust to help you out.

This 50-page soft cover book could be read one chapter at a time to younger readers or in one sitting by older children and adults. The positive, kid-friendly style of the book will appeal not only to a young audience but also to older children and adults who want to understand more about Asperger's without having to read a textbook. John Strachan's cartoon-style drawings are not only fun and helpful to the progression of the narrative, they enhance the points in each chapter for Asperger children who are often visual learners.

Since reading it last October, I have introduced the book to members of my Asperger Parent Support Group. Our parents have been buying copies to give to their children, grandparents, teachers and teachers' aides. My 17-year-old- son with Asperger's, who edited this review for me, commented that his "younger genetic compatriots" could learn a lot from the book. His grandfather liked the first person format because "it made it very real." Grandpa also observed that the author "does not talk down to the reader" but gets her message across in a very "user-friendly" non-technical style. Twelve-year-old Adam with Asperger's identified with the narrator-"The guy's like me-he only likes 'talking doctors' too." After reading the book, Adam's younger brother said,"I think I understand Adam's behaviour better now."

I highly recommend this book because it helps promote understanding and appreciation of a wonderfully unique group of children. Rosina Schnurr is to be commended for this excellent addition to the Asperger's bibliography.

Summary of Asperger's Huh? A Child's Perspective

Diseases Books

• Subjects > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Diseases
• Health, Fitness & Dieting > Personal Health > Children's Health > Autism & Asperger's Syndrome
• Social Sciences