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kba76's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely not a ‘read-through’ and not every aspect will be relevant.
Having just received a diagnosis for son, this was a good starting point. Plenty of information and some useful pointers to consider.
Unfortunately the style was a little academic for a complete starter into the process. Don’t think you’ll ever cover everything, so this is more of a comprehensive guide in my mind.
Did think the links to other texts was a good idea.
Having just received a diagnosis for son, this was a good starting point. Plenty of information and some useful pointers to consider.
Unfortunately the style was a little academic for a complete starter into the process. Don’t think you’ll ever cover everything, so this is more of a comprehensive guide in my mind.
Did think the links to other texts was a good idea.
redhickory's review against another edition
4.0
As a guide to how valuable I found this book - when I read I often mark passages that I find interesting or want to reflect on with a removable tab, by the time I finished reading this it had about 80 tabs in it!
Explanations of certain behaviours gave me a greater understanding of motivations and reasons and this gave me ideas for new management strategies.
It was also really helpful to know that this is not uncommon and that many, many families go through these daily tests and small traumas!
It also opened my eyes to the value of a support group; which I have been resistant to.
Explanations of certain behaviours gave me a greater understanding of motivations and reasons and this gave me ideas for new management strategies.
It was also really helpful to know that this is not uncommon and that many, many families go through these daily tests and small traumas!
It also opened my eyes to the value of a support group; which I have been resistant to.
aceir's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a 30-year-old female who recently learned she has Asperger's. At first I was unsure of the diagnosis, but I felt like this book was the story of my life. It helped me understand a lot. Tony Attwood is an expert, but he keeps his book more conversational than clinical. There is a glossary that explains all the terms, a list of resources, and plenty of references for people who want to learn more.
bajoranjay's review against another edition
4.0
Good, positive overview. I wish it referenced more people's own experiences as valid "evidence" along with his research.
nicolereneegu's review against another edition
I would like to read an updated version of this book that includes more about what has been learned regarding how autism spectrum disorders manifest in women and girls.
kslhersam's review against another edition
3.0
Decent read. This book helped me understand AS better and now has many looking at everyone around me and wondering if they have it. :)
It was a bit dry for me in parts and I didn't feel like I learned how to really handle a child with the syndrome. I do know more about AS so I'm glad I read it, and it was less than 200 pages so it's probably shorter than some other books I could have read.
It was a bit dry for me in parts and I didn't feel like I learned how to really handle a child with the syndrome. I do know more about AS so I'm glad I read it, and it was less than 200 pages so it's probably shorter than some other books I could have read.
kerryann's review against another edition
1.0
There is no getting away from this book if you have a child with Asperger's. It was the first book I bought when I was up at night googling it. I bought it because so many other people bought it--based on reviews and popularity. I'm not sorry I have it, but it is depressing. It's academic (again, that's okay). I prefer to read a book about Asperger's that was written by someone with Asperger's. I like Karla Fisher's writing much better. She is genuinely helpful.
simo_'s review against another edition
3.0
This book is called The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome, but, although it does cover a broad spectum of themes, it focus mainly on children and adolescents experiences. Which is not a bad thing at all, I'm sure a lot of parents and teenagers could use this guide, as it's written in a very understandable language.
Chapter 13, however, talks about "Long-term Relationships" and it focus mainly on adult (heterosexual) romantic relationships . Unfortunately, it has some questionable passages like:
"Children with Asperger’s syndrome are often perceived as having angelic faces, and as adults may have symmetrical facial features that are aesthetically appealing. The person may be more handsome than previous partners and considered a good ‘catch’ in terms of looks(...)"
An autistic person may be good-looking or not, but autism has nothing to do with how a person looks.
The following quote is even worse, as it basically states that it's better for a child to be in the adoption system than being raised by an autistic parent:
"Sometimes a woman with Asperger’s syndrome who is single and pregnant may acknowledge her limited maternal instinct and, for the benefit of the newborn child, the baby becomes available for adoption."
This may be a case of poor wording because Atwood follows by saying that "(...) a mother or father with Asperger’s syndrome can learn how to become a good parent. " But still, it's a disturbing quote.
All in all, it's not a bad book, but it's a bit outdated: for starters people are no longer diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, the DSM-V (2013) reclassified it as autism. So some of the thing it says should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Chapter 13, however, talks about "Long-term Relationships" and it focus mainly on adult (heterosexual) romantic relationships . Unfortunately, it has some questionable passages like:
"Children with Asperger’s syndrome are often perceived as having angelic faces, and as adults may have symmetrical facial features that are aesthetically appealing. The person may be more handsome than previous partners and considered a good ‘catch’ in terms of looks(...)"
An autistic person may be good-looking or not, but autism has nothing to do with how a person looks.
The following quote is even worse, as it basically states that it's better for a child to be in the adoption system than being raised by an autistic parent:
"Sometimes a woman with Asperger’s syndrome who is single and pregnant may acknowledge her limited maternal instinct and, for the benefit of the newborn child, the baby becomes available for adoption."
This may be a case of poor wording because Atwood follows by saying that "(...) a mother or father with Asperger’s syndrome can learn how to become a good parent. " But still, it's a disturbing quote.
All in all, it's not a bad book, but it's a bit outdated: for starters people are no longer diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, the DSM-V (2013) reclassified it as autism. So some of the thing it says should be taken with a pinch of salt.
billbang6's review against another edition
4.0
Love how easily approachable this book was explaining Asperger's syndrome. Wish more psychology books were written like this!
dutchlauren's review against another edition
2.0
A bit dry, very heteronormative, and mostly focused on children and teenagers, but adults are not completely ignored. I learned some things, about alexithymia and apraxia especially. I'm glad dyscalculia was mentioned because I've never read about it in combination with Asperger's before.
Author used the word 'asexual' when he should have used 'celibate', which bothers me greatly as an asexual person.
Overall, this guide is not very complete (as the title implies), and a bit outdated. Also, I mentally threw up every time I saw Simon Baron-Cohen mentioned (we don't like him), and that was A LOT.
This would not be the first book about Asperger's I'd recommend. So far, Rudy Simone's Aspergirls has been the best! (Only focused on women though!)
Author used the word 'asexual' when he should have used 'celibate', which bothers me greatly as an asexual person.
Overall, this guide is not very complete (as the title implies), and a bit outdated. Also, I mentally threw up every time I saw Simon Baron-Cohen mentioned (we don't like him), and that was A LOT.
This would not be the first book about Asperger's I'd recommend. So far, Rudy Simone's Aspergirls has been the best! (Only focused on women though!)