The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome
by Tony Attwood
List Price:
Our Price: $14.21
You Save: $10.74 (43%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $8.16 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Tony AttwoodEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-05-15
ISBN: 1843106698
Number of pages: 397
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9781843106692
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome
Book Review: Excellent resource
Summary: 5 Stars
This book provides an excellent resource for teachers, psychologists and parents. I think that there are three areas of primary importance that this book covers in a unique fashion:
1. Theory of Mind
2. Methods of working with students who have Asperger's Syndrome
3. Supplementary analysis of Asperger's Syndrome
The definition of Theory of Mind is "the ability to recognize and understand thoughts, beliefs, desires and intentions of other people in order to make sense of their behavior and predict what they are going to do next" (pp. 112 & 350). Briefly, it refers to the difficulty AS people have in "reading others," a skill we take for granted and is learned incidentally.
In students with AS, descriptions of this skill seem similar to descriptions of those with mental retardation: Skills are learned by rote, and there is little generalization. In ToM training programs, according to Attwood, "the studies have not found a generalization effect to tasks not included in the training program" (p. 124). Attwood also refer to "prosopagnosia" and "alexithymia," both descriptors of specific difficulties in using visual and auditory cues from others to understand their feeling states.
An understanding of this aspect of AS, possibly one of the most important and problematic in the life of the person with AS, would certainly help people to understand and emphasize. It also helps in the analysis of the difficulties, and thus assists in establishing and setting up methods of teaching and training the person.
Attwood uses the term "Aspergese" (p. 224), and this appears to focus on the acceptance of, and adjustment to, the problems the person with AS has in understanding the subtle meanings, nuances and other indicators of the feeling states and intentions of others. He recommends the use of consistency of facial expressions, avoiding figures of speech and sarcasm, pausing and waiting for responses, not insisting on eye contact or misunderstanding a lack it, minimizing auditory and visual distracters, giving feedback, and not becoming offended by occasional blunt honesty of the AS student.
The formal diagnosis of AS is typically conducted by a clinical psychologist. However, it should not end there, and Attwood provides excellent suggestions for a more in-depth analysis. Additional and on-going analyses are important to further confirm the diagnosis, to understand the student, and to set up remedial programs. It can also be useful to help identify students who may have AS; Attwood states that "it is my clinical opinion that we are currently detecting and diagnosing about 50 per cent of children who have Asperger's syndrome" (p. 46).
The DSM-IV-TR is the source used for diagnosis, but Gillberg's diagnostic criteria (p. 37) describe symptoms that are not included. In the narrow interests that the typical AS person has "repetitive adherence" and "more rote than meaning" are examples; in speech and language there may be "superficially perfect expressive language," "pedantic language," "odd prosody," and "misinterpretations of literal/implied meanings"; there can also be "non-verbal communication problems"; "compulsive need for introducing routines and interests"; and "motor clumsiness."
Aside from these more purely "cognitive" functions, Attwood recommends investigating social skills, language usage and understanding, emotions, sensory factors and interests.
Socially, students with AS have difficulty forming friendships. Attwood uses a rule of thumb that students are about two years behind their peers in social maturity. They tend to have more interest in the physical world than the social one, focusing on animals and objects. They may be rigid in following classroom rules that they memorized, and they are frequently considered "tattlers" by their peers for reporting every rule violation that others typically ignore or find amusing.
With language, these students tend to talk too much or too little, and they may be overly precise in their wording and can sound very formal and pedantic. They will have difficulty with prosody, especially when particular words are emphasized in a sentence with a change in meaning or intent. "I didn't say she stole my money" was an example in the text (p. 219); the meaning and intent can change, depending on which word is emphasized, and this is difficult for the AS person to understand. "Small talk" or general chit chat is often hard.
Students with AS often have difficulty describing and expressing their emotions; they can sometimes describe them better on a computer and/or avoiding eye contact. With one AS elementary student, I had counseling sessions in which we did not speak at all but communicated by writing on a piece of paper, passing it back and forth. Their emotions can change quickly, and it is speculated that there is a physiological basis for this: The "amygdala can be structurally and functionally abnormal...[affecting]...the perception and regulation of emotions, especially fear and anger" (p. 145). Many have problems simply describing what "happiness" is. A considerable number have unusual responses to affection, and this may be related to sensitivity to being hugged or touched (see next paragraph).
They tend to have peculiar sensory sensitivities. They are often very sensitive to sounds (70-85% are), touch (about 50% are), smell, and taste (about 20%). Strangely, many seem relatively less sensitive to pain, and it can even become problematic when the student does not seek help for injuries or has internal symptoms that he or she ignores, such as a fever or a toothache.
The interests of the student with AS can be exclusive, repetitive, and very rote. They may want to acquire extensive knowledge in a particular area. The areas of interest tend to be collections, acquisition of knowledge in animals or nature, technical topics, and public transportation. Attwood believes this can serve one of several purposes for the person with AS. It can provide a sense of identity, be a form of escape, help to achieve coherence in a chaotic environment, reduce stress, and even show off his or her intelligence and ability.
These two topics - Theory of Mind and further analysis beyond the qualifying diagnosis - lend themselves well to the most important part: How to teach and work with the AS student. Not to overstate the obvious, but we need a thorough understanding of the student's abilities and special attributes in order to design the teaching and the environment, to establish expectations, and to avoid misinterpreting and misunderstanding the student.
Because AS students can become overwhelmed with the amount of stimuli - from people and the physical environment - the class arrangement is very important. Quiet areas where the student can "retreat" should be set up. This can be something comfortable and pleasant in a corner of the room with very little visual stimuli. Solitude is usually very important for the AS student, and such a place should be available. In fact, it appears that AS students are very good at teaching themselves. Attwood has excellent suggestions, including the possible use of earplugs! When direct instruction is required, a one-to-one teaching model is probably the best, and a classroom aide can usually be trained in providing this.
With the specific tasks during the school day, speeded tasks should be avoided, or the amount of work should be reduced. Homework should be reduced to only about 30 minutes and possibly eliminated completely. Change is difficult for the AS student, and many become very frustrated if they do not complete a task, so extra time should be allowed. In addition, when there are going to be the routine changes in the classroom, the AS student should be warned ahead of time.
In middle and high school, the AS student may become somewhat popular if he or she is allowed to show off his or her expertise or help others with it.
The manner of interaction with the teacher is very important. He or she needs to be aware of language usage and avoid jokes, sarcasm, inferences and puns, for example. Basically, the teacher should speak in a very concrete fashion, avoiding expressions that can have more than one meaning. The teacher should also ignore what may appear to be "insulting" remarks from the AS student; it is quite likely that the student simply does not differentiate between what is and is not socially appropriate.
The AS student will undoubted become agitated sometimes, possibly very angry. Attwood recommends three ways to deal with this:
1.Provide a physical release (run, shoot baskets, bounce a ball, take a walk).
2.Be alone someplace, or leave the presence of people.
3.Engage in sometime else, especially a special interest, be with an animal, or use the computer.
In addition, for the older AS student, techniques of relaxation can be practiced to be used in these difficult times. The teacher should be aware of sensitivity to touch also.
Summary of The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome
"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.Autism & Asperger's Syndrome Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Autism & Asperger's Syndrome Books
Teach Me Language: A Language Manual for children with autism, Asperger's syndrome and related developmental disorders.by Sabrina Freeman, Lorelei Dake
SKF Books, Inc.; Published: 1997-09-01; Hardcover-spiral; Book
Best price: $59.95
Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant (Thorndike Biography)by Daniel Tammet
Thorndike Press; Published: 2007-06; Hardcover; Book
Price in other shops:
Autism, ADHD, and Anorexia Nervosa: Essays on Three Childhood DisordersEdwin Mellen Pr; Published: 2007-03-30; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $89.95
Autism: The Diagnosis, Treatment, & Etiology of the Undeniable Epidemicby John W. Oller Jr., Stephen D. Oller
Jones & Bartlett Publishers; Published: 2009-09-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $42.81
Price in other shops:
Dads and Autism: How to Stay In the Gameby Emerson B Donnell III
Altruist Publishing; Published: 2009-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $21.23
Price in other shops:
The Accidental Teacher: Life Lessons from My Silent Sonby Annie Lubliner Lehmann
University of Michigan Press; Published: 2009-06-02; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $33.10
Price in other shops:
The Autistic syndromesAmerican Elsevier Pub. Co; Published: 1976; Unknown Binding; Book
![Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals [Two Volumes] Image](/images/Autism-Spectrum-Disorders-A-Handbook-for-Parents-and-Professionals-Two-Volumes-0313346348-X.jpg)
Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals [Two Volumes]Praeger; Published: 2007-09-30; Hardcover; Book
Price in other shops:
![Autism Spectrum Disorders [Two Volumes] [2 volumes]: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals Image](/images/Autism-Spectrum-Disorders-Two-Volumes-2-volumes-A-Handbook-for-Parents-and-Professionals-0313336326-X.jpg)
Autism Spectrum Disorders [Two Volumes] [2 volumes]: A Handbook for Parents and Professionalsby Megan Moore Duncan, Jeanne Holverstott, Brenda Smith Myles, Terri Cooper Swanson
Praeger; Published: 2007-09-30; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $56.38
Price in other shops:
Dancing with Max: A Mother and Son Who Broke Freeby Emily Colson
Zondervan; Published: 2010-08-31; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $6.25
Price in other shops:
Similar Books and other products
All Cats Have Asperger Syndromeby Kathy Hoopmann
Jessica Kingsley Pub; Published: 2006-10-26; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.19
Price in other shops:
Aspergirls: Empowering Females With Asperger Syndromeby Rudy Simone
Jessica Kingsley Pub; Published: 2010-05-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.77
Price in other shops:
Asperger Syndrome and Long-Term Relationshipsby Ashley Stanford
Jessica Kingsley Publishers; Published: 2002-11-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.49
Price in other shops:
Asperger's and Girlsby Tony Attwood, Temple Grandin, Teresa Bolick, Catherine Faherty, Lisa Iland, Jennifer McIlwee Myers, Ruth Snyder, Sheila Wagner, Mary Wrobel
Future Horizons; Published: 2006-12-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.08
Price in other shops:
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger'sby John Elder Robison
Broadway; Published: 2008-09-09; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.99
Price in other shops:
Parenting a Child With Asperger Syndrome: 200 Tips and Strategiesby Brenda Boyd
Jessica Kingsley Pub; Published: 2003-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.50
Price in other shops:
Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety: A Guide to Successful Stress Managementby Nick Dubin
Jessica Kingsley Pub; Published: 2009-03-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.29
Price in other shops:
Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionalsby Tony Attwood
Jessica Kingsley Pub; Published: 1998-01-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.99
Price in other shops:
1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children with Autism or Asperger's, Revised and Expanded 2nd Editionby Ellen Notbohm, Veronica Zysk
Future Horizons; Published: 2010-02-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.90
Price in other shops:
Can I Tell You About Asperger Syndrome?: A Guide for Friends and Familyby Jude Welton
Jessica Kingsley Pub; Published: 2003-09-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.92
Price in other shops: