The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome
by Tony Attwood
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Book Summary Information
Author: Tony AttwoodEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-11-01
ISBN: 1843104954
Number of pages: 397
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub
Book Reviews of The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome
Book Review: Sound Science delivered with Artistic Flair
Summary: 5 Stars
The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome: Review
"Congratulation's, you've got Asperger's Syndrome." If you have to quote one phrase, I think this best sums up the tone of this book. Attwood's view is that being born with a differently wired brain is not always a bad thing.
If I were the publisher I would change the title of this book to something that really accurately portrays the content - something like:
"Asperger's Syndrome: A Half-Century of Understanding and Progress."
Rather than summarize the book in a quick review, it is possibly easier to go to the preface and spell out what isn't in there. The author hints at this when he spells out where he sees future Asperger's research going. Here are some quotes from page 10:
"We need to reach on consensus on diagnostic criteria"
(More work) "must be done to achieve employment appropriate to qualifications and abilities."
"More research...into aspects of sensory perception."
"Evaluate programs to encourage friendship/relationship skills, the management of emotions and the constructive applications of special interests."
This all means that the work isn't as complete as the real title might suggest. But pretty much everything else you would expect to be in the book is in there.
To say the book is well written -on a micro level- would be to undersell it. You would expect nothing less from Tony Attwood, the world's foremost author on Asperger's syndrome. But what is a surprise to me is how carefully crafted the content arrangement of the book is. I read the chapters out of order, starting in the middle going to the end moving back and forth until finally I got to chapter one- last. That is a tribute to this work being a good reference book as well as a good read. The individual chapters are structured with a poignant quote from Hans Asperger at the beginning, to `hook you in', followed by a current summary on knowledge of the sub topic and always ending with a quote from a person with Asperger's syndrome because as Attwood puts it:
"I think that those with Asperger's should have the last comment."
To run through a brief content checklist:
1/Diagnostic information including where established practice has rough edges? Check
2/Solutions to better cope with a differently wired brain at toddler, child, teen and adult levels? Check
Some of the proposed `paths to the future' may not have the rigours of scientific proof. But if anecdotal evidence can be at all useful, then Attwood has documented it. Although the style of the book may be at times almost disarmingly casual, the bibliography at the end is `clinically complete'.
Criticisms? A book like this is at risk of suffering from observer bias. The skills needed to gain the necessary insights and recognize nuances means it is possible, even likely, that Attwood and his clinician colleagues have brains wired close to `opposite polarity' on the Asperger's brain scale spectrum. Thus it is possible that Attwood acting in his professional capacity has a biased view of what constitutes a `normal brain' because of the company he keeps. One description of an Asperger's wired brain is an `extreme male brain'. It could be that some of the diagnostic and behavioral observations in this book, labeled as unusual by clinicians, are really normal spectrum `maleness', which is perceived to be abnormal because of observer bias.
The book starts and finishes with the delightful (fantasy) tale of Jack, an Asperger's boy, who ends up with a PhD, a research career and a late blossoming relationship with a single mother. However, I find it incongruous that right at the end of the story Jack would choose as `a label of his success' to buy a new BMW Seven series car. That is the largest and most wasteful car in the BMW range (presumably so Jack can transport all of those friends Asperger's people don't have). Meanwhile Jack purports to his workmates a `green image' (it is irrelevant if it is real or not) of fanatically breeding endangered Koala bears which would no doubt flout all sort of wildlife service protection laws (hence going against a known Asperger's trait of honesty over co-worker empathy) if it were true. I wouldn't normally bother pointing out such a trivial inconsistency in a profound work. But it is the very last thing in the book, so it sticks in my mind. Tony if you ever read this review stick to the day job - I don't think the producers of `Neighbours' and `Home & Away' will be seeking out your soap opera scenario script talent yet!
OK, I admit it I am really struggling to find anything bad to say about this book. If you want to learn about Asperger's syndrome this is easily the most complete work available. Most complete that is, until Tony Attwood publishes his next book!
Summary of The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome
"I usually say to the child, "Congratulations, you have Asperger's syndrome", and explain that this means he or she is not mad, bad or defective, but has a different way of thinking." - from "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
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