Asperger's Answer Book: The Top 275 Questions Parents Ask

by Susan Ashley

It is currently estimated that over 500,000 families struggle with Asperger's Syndrome, a highly prevalent yet difficult to diagnose disorder that affects hundreds of thousands of children and adults.

In a time when parents are overwhelmed with confusing-and often conflicting-information, The Asperger's Answer Book provides them with clear and confident counsel. Written by an experienced child psychologist, The Asperger's Answer Book covers such topics

--Is it autism or is it Asperger's?
--Getting your child evaluated
--Emotional intelligence
--Routines and rituals
--Motor skills
--Sensory sensitivity
--Growing up with Asperger's Syndrome

Written in an easy-to-read Q&A format, The Asperger's Answer Book helps parents understand and accept their child's illness and develop a plan for success.

Genres: Nonfiction, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers, Parenting, Psychology, Self Help

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish the author had not done the Q&A, instead focused on tips and tricks and things. I feel like this book was way outdated, I've read a lot on the subject, a LOT. I've learned not just with all the books I've read, that there are shades of grey with AD. Everyone is different. The author went in full textbook mode basically making me feel like a person with AD was a emotionless robot. I did like how the author gave different disorders and what they consist of, and I realize that a book on asperger's can't address every single senario, but I felt like the entire book did NOT apply to my kiddo, cause he feels emotions big time, he does have social cues, he's not all robotic and lack of expressing them. A lot of the book dealt with the emotional things and lack of it, but didn't touch very much on all the other things that make someone an Aspie.

[SHR · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book claims to have the top 300 questions parents ask after being given a diagnosis of AS for their child. I mostly found the questions not relevant to my level of knowledge (and many I think are questions you would ask prior to a diagnosis, rather than after) however I did like the way it was put together – easy to dip in and out of and to find specific answers. The range of issues covered is good too and if I had not already read widely it would probably have been very useful.

[Jamad · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picked up while browsing in the library. Should have checked the date of publication 2007…things have moved on since then

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I soooo wish I had read this book when my son was little. There would have been less frustration in our lives.

What I saw as his stubborn need to be contrary or "different" was actually a real issue, and one I could have addressed and dealt with properly.
His need to be right rather than see gray issues with other children…
His intolerance if/when his self-imposed routine was interrupted…
His poor or completely lacking social skills…
His lack of empathy...
All explained.

How freeing this would have been had I known there was a label for what he was (is still) going through, and if I had been introduced to this book years ago.

My word, if any parent out there has a question about why your child is just so different, this book may help. It not only deals with Asperger's disorder, but many other issues such as ADD or ADHD, autism, sensory sensitivity, behavior and social issues..

This was such a wonderful book. Expansive detail. Clinical at times, but always understandable. Truly helpful.

And my son? He's just delighted to have a reason for why he doesn’t see the world, nor respond to it the way others do. And that he’s not alone, which he felt for so many years of his life.

And my undying gratitude to my friend Barb for offering this to me as a resource. This book will be read and re-read.

[Aspen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am an adult exploring diagnosis currently. The set up of this book is good, however, this book makes very big generalizations about those with Asperger's, often saying the child with Asperger's "will" do this, instead of saying we "may" do that. As well, they make no note of the differences that are often seen in boys and girls with Asperger's, as it becoming to be known/suspected that the disorder can manifest and present in very different ways in boys and girls, and that the previously thought prevalence of Asperger's in boys may not be as accurate as once thought. I think this book could be helpful for those that don't yet know anything about Asperger's but also that you have to be critical and realize where they have made too general to the Asperger's population.

[Luisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a lot of information and great ideas for working with my students who have Asperger's Syndrome. I think some people might take issue with the style, which is very black and white (i.e., "The Asperger's child is not able to interact socially with his peers"), but there's just so much information covered, that it would be tiresome to read things like, "Some kids with Asperger's have difficulty with socialization, while others have less difficulty" over and over. Really comprehensive guide...definitely recommended for people who work with people with Asperger's.

[Jostalady · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a straightforward book. The information is laid out plainly for quick consumption. I found it tremendously helpful in preparing for my child's evaluation, even if she doesn't have AD. It has opened my eyes to people in my life, and from my past, whose confusing behavior had been a mystery to me.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it does not contain anything really new, the format and simplicity and clarity of the prose make this an all purpose reference easily sharable with older children. I especially like the way it lists behaviors and solutions.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because one of my former students was just diagnosed with Aspergers, and her parents are desperate for help. It was very informative on a wide variety of topics. This particular student was diagnosed until the 10th grade, and I felt there wasn't enough information for older children.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book on Asperger's that I have read since my son was dx in Jan of 2012. I found it very imformative and helpful. I liked how it was broken down in chapters and within the chapters. The book answered a lot of the questions I had about Asperger's.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The begining of the book seemed to be very "this is the way it is" versus "some kids with Asperger's may do this" which is annoying.
However, the tips in the book on how to overcome some of the Asperger's traits were very helpful.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, but some info is for the United States. The author also assumes all AD children are female.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

reading it currently, so far very helpful and insightful

[Agnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative but set up as question/answer book and does not go into depth regarding specific areas.

[Fannylin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku ini ditulis dengan bahasa yang sederhana dan lugas sehingga mudah dimengerti
amat berguna bagi kita untuk dapat lebih mengerti anak2 Asperger... dan memberikan
yang terbaik untuk mereka....

[Melinda Reichert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful book to answer those questions you don’t want to ask. Please ask!