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Older Adults and Autism Spectrum Conditions: An Introduction and Guide
The first book to look seriously at the practical issues facing older adults with autism spectrum conditions (ASC), Wenn Lawson's groundbreaking handbook offers support, advice, and sensible ways in which to look at the issues.Informed by current research, interviews with older people diagnosed with ASC and his own experience, the author covers a multitude of issues including dealing with transitions and changes to routine, communicating an individual's particular needs and wishes to care home staff, the social and financial impact of retirement, mental health, and sensory and physical changes and challenges. Older people with ASC and their family and friends, as well as the professionals supporting them, will find this an indispensable and accessible book.
- GenresNonfiction
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2015
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February 18, 2016
A lot is known about autistic children and parenting autistic children, but (at least in England) there isn't a great deal of knowledge surrounding autistic adults, or indeed the older generation with autism spectrum conditions (ASC).
Lawson published this book in 2015, which is pertinent since ASC research initially kicked off in 1944 with Hans Asperger and Leo Kanner. Dubbed 'infantile psychosis', it went through numerous re-wordings and discoveries, with a slight deviance into "Refrigerator Mothers" (thanks, Bettelheim...) before becoming the evolving spectrum that it is today. However, the majority of the research tended to focus on children, and in particular boys, although this is now being addressed by authors such as Liane Holliday Willey, Karen McKibbin, and others.
This book deals with how the older generation cope with ASC when it comes to issues such as retirement, temperament and so forth, and is both concise and informative. What I enjoyed the most about the book was that it didn't paint a gloomy picture of old age, which is comforting when you have Asperger's! Whilst for some the future is, unfortunately, bleak - ASC is, after all, a spectrum - the majority look forward to a happy retirement if the appropriate measures are in place with regards to their care.
Lawson writes with a very down-to-earth style, which enables the reader to quickly find the information that they are seeking, whilst still making things relatable. I have to admit, it does help that Lawson was diagnosed with autism in 1994, as without that I think the book would become a very sterile and clinical narrative rather than the enriching text that it is now.
Overall, I would highly recommend this to anyone with even a passing interest in ASC, as it gives a fantastic perspective on life as an older person with ASC. Would definitely read this again.
Lawson published this book in 2015, which is pertinent since ASC research initially kicked off in 1944 with Hans Asperger and Leo Kanner. Dubbed 'infantile psychosis', it went through numerous re-wordings and discoveries, with a slight deviance into "Refrigerator Mothers" (thanks, Bettelheim...) before becoming the evolving spectrum that it is today. However, the majority of the research tended to focus on children, and in particular boys, although this is now being addressed by authors such as Liane Holliday Willey, Karen McKibbin, and others.
This book deals with how the older generation cope with ASC when it comes to issues such as retirement, temperament and so forth, and is both concise and informative. What I enjoyed the most about the book was that it didn't paint a gloomy picture of old age, which is comforting when you have Asperger's! Whilst for some the future is, unfortunately, bleak - ASC is, after all, a spectrum - the majority look forward to a happy retirement if the appropriate measures are in place with regards to their care.
Lawson writes with a very down-to-earth style, which enables the reader to quickly find the information that they are seeking, whilst still making things relatable. I have to admit, it does help that Lawson was diagnosed with autism in 1994, as without that I think the book would become a very sterile and clinical narrative rather than the enriching text that it is now.
Overall, I would highly recommend this to anyone with even a passing interest in ASC, as it gives a fantastic perspective on life as an older person with ASC. Would definitely read this again.
Displaying 1 of 1 review