kristinafh's Full Review: Susan Ashley - The Asperger's Answer Book: The Top...
It's really scary and frightening and maddening and confusing and baffling when you find out that your child has Asperger's...at the age of 12.
What?!
You're just coasting along through life, thinking that your biggest challenge is staying on top of his anxiety. Anxiety you say? Yep. Six years earlier, when he was entering first grade, his anxiety was extremely high. We had him evaluated. For everything. Multiple professionals. Multiple tests. Always the same verdict - your son has a high level of anxiety.
Okay. It caused us anxiety – but we worked through it. We started therapy for coping strategies and Ethan was prescribed medication that seemed to do the job.
But then the age of twelve comes, hormones burst out from every seam, and everything you spent the last six years on stabilizing - well it all goes to hell in a hand basket.
The scary scary diagnosis. Asperger's.
How could my son go so long without being appropriately diagnosed?
That's a question for another day....In the meantime....
What's a mom - and most importantly - a chick to do? Well, turn to a book for answers of course (because the professionals just weren't cutting it for me).
I searched long and hard for the "right" book. There are a TON of books on Autism and a solid number of them that focus on Asperger's however, time and time again, I was disappointed by the lack of "answers" I was receiving.
You see, I didn't want to read scholarly journals or dive into the years of research that has occurred, nor did I even want to ponder the genetics of this condition.
I'm a mom. I want answers.
And I found them - and if you find yourself in my situation and if you asked me for the one book that you should run out and buy - I would recommend this one - Asperger's Answer Book.
What makes this book stand out from all the rest? Its simplicity and its straight-forwardness.
Her answers are short. Clear. Concise. Practical. Pragmatic. She doesn't bore you with the theoreticals (although she will refer to them when appropriate).
The author, Susan Ashley, Ph.D. offers up the following in her two page introduction.
"In writing The Asperger's Answer Book, it is my hope that it becomes your guidebook and that you will use it frequently."
And you know what?
I did. I found myself flipping back and forth. I started in the beginning - table of contents, reading areas that I was interested in.
What are the thinking problems seen in Asperger's disorder? What does the adolescent with Asperger's disorder look like?
And then, a couple of days later, I would hit the index and look for a specific topic - find that - and flip to that page.
The Top 300 Questions That Parents Ask covers lots of topics - and I was like a sponge, soaking it all in.
One year later - I still reference this book. Because the questions cover every age group and just about every situation, I don't think it will be leaving my sight anytime soon.
The ABC's of Asperger's Disorder
Getting Your Child Evaluated
Coexisting Disorders
Social Skills
Thinking Patterns
Emotional Intelligence
Special Interests, Routines, and Play
Language, Motor Skills, and Sensory Sensitivity
Succeeding in School
Improving Behavior
Self-Esteem
Growing up with Asperger's
Appendix A: The Top 5 Most Important Lists You Need
Appendix B: Section 504 Accommodations and Modifications
Appendix C: What Your AD Child Wants You To Know
Appendix D: Teacher Information Lists
Appendix E: Behavior Charts
Appendix F: Recommended Reading and Resources
In a time when parents are overwhelmed with confusing--and often conflicting--information, this resource provides them with clear and confident counse...More at HotBookSale
In a time when parents are overwhelmed with confusing--and often conflicting--information, this resource provides them with clear and confident counse...More at HotBookSale
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