Sex, Drugs and Asperger's Syndrome (ASD): A User Guide to Adulthood

by Luke Jackson, Tony Attwood (Foreword)

Luke Jackson's unabridged and sparkling sequel to his best-selling user guide to adolescence Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome is the must-read handbook for teenagers and young adults on the autism spectrum. With devastating clarity, Luke focuses on the pitfalls involved in navigating the transition to adulthood, and the challenges of adult life. He covers everything from bullying and drugs to socialising, sex, negotiating relationships, and finding and keeping your first job.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Psychology, Nonfiction, Aspergers

208 pages, Hardcover

First published February 21, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since getting diagnosed as Autistic last year at 42 I've been reading books about ASD and this is the first book I've found that I'd actually recommend people read.

It's well written, very informative and covers subjects often skipped in books about Autism - namely sex, relationships and what skills adult autistics need that are different to kids or younger teens.

Not covered unfortunately is the dreaded living situation of HOUSEMATES. Living with people who you're not genetically related to or in a relationship with comes with all sorts of issues. When you can't read none verbal social cues and to feel in control you follow a regulated daily routine living with housemates can be really good or turn into a living hell.

My only disappointment in this book is it's written by a male so it has a male view point and unfortunately doesn't cover "female only issues". If the author could collaborate with a female Aspi to add Periods, OH F... I Might Be Pregnant, Detecting Sexual Predators Looking For A Victim, Body Image Issues (the pressure to look pretty) and Dealing With Unspoken Gender Bias (how to negotiate a job contract to exclude helping on reception because all FEMALE employees are just expected to do that) this book would be perfect

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you don't have Asperger's and you have a close (much younger) relative who does, you often find it difficult to understand the things they do and say. They usually don't want to talk about feelings, at least not with you. Their conversation is often limited to "yes", "no" and "leave me alone." You offer them a snack you're sure they'll like, only to have them say "No, thanks." You offer to take them to a movie or ask them to watch a TV show with you, and it's, "Maybe another time." They may have a meltdown in response to a simple request. Even though they are highly intelligent, they have a lot of trouble keeping up with their school work. Teachers assume your Aspie will go to college, but you wonder how they will cope with new demands. Smells and sounds that barely register with most people will send this person out of the room. This book, written by an articulate "Aspie" in his late 20's, helps explain what it's like to "be on the spectrum." Reading it helped me understand the Aspie in my life a little better and anticipate what's coming next as my loved one becomes a young adult.

[Violet Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well written; conversational and accessible, but intelligent and humorous. One of the best books on what growing up and becoming an adult with AS is like.

The title is deliberately provocative - but the content does cover the topics with maturity and a refreshing direct approach to informing the reader, covering each issue with a no-nonsense and non judgemental approach, and bullet points!

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book. Kudos to Luke Jackson on this, his second book. As he as ASD, he's very uniquely qualified to guiding and teaching about ASD. His first book was written when he was 13 and is a guide for younger children with ASD. This book covers teens and YAs. Lots of info for anyone interested in learning about ASD. It's a fairly quick read, nothing technical, no medical jargon, etc... just a very interesting book with lots of insight into ASD.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Luke Jackson's sequel to Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome which he wrote when he was 13. The book details the point he is at in his life now and his advice on working, relationships and managing the changing expectations life throws at you and making sense of Asperger Syndrome and changes related with it. I would recommend this book to everyone with an interest in autism and people with autism. I hope he writes more and if he does I will definitely read it.

[Klaas Klamer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mix tussen informatief, zelfhulp en autobiografisch boek van een jongeman (26). Valt ook in de kuil van een harde 'wij' -'zij' deling, maar meldt tegelijkertijd dat elk mens uniek en verschillend is, zijn aard fluide is in tijd en omstandigheden. Veel inventariserende lijstje van aspekten en gedrag. De titel suggereert een engere inhoud dan het brede overzicht dat het boek geeft over het autisme-spectrum (vervelende marketing). Teveel wordt de hyperindividuele ervaring geextrapoleerd naar zogenaamde algemene kenmerken. Maar heb jij wel eens een 'normaal mens' ontmoet?
Nieuwsgierigheid naar de ander, en acceptatie van anders-zijn zou iedereen verder helpen.

[Simon Bostock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot of information that I didn't know, there are also so good strategies for those who don't have ASD, and some really excellent life advice. I really enjoyed the part about negative peer pressure and the comment about how the media has a lot of articles about negative peer pressure, and yet very little about the media's role in peer pressure.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great tips on relationships, sex, and conversation that I hope to remember to employ.

[Gabi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rozczarowująca cisheteromęska normatywna perspektywa.

[Robert]

Not rating as this wasn't really targetted at myself but had a few useful bits anyway. Skipped the section on drugs entirely, for instance.

[Sarah]

Not read the whole book yet, but from what I have read Luke's writing is excellent - lively and clear. In terms of content, this is a book about a very important and sadly neglected topic; there's a lack of recognition of the fact that children with ASDs grow up to be adults with ASDs!! I appreciate how candid Luke is about his experiences with mental health difficulties. Also love the fact that there's a chapter on sex and relationships... Shockingly (>sarcasm<), many people with ASDs have romantic and sexual relationships! There definitely needs to be more literature on the topic, especially from individuals with ASDs.

I'd recommend this book to any adult with high-functioning autism (I say high-functioning because I lack knowledge about people with ASDs who are considered to be low-functioning; I appreciate that functioning labels have their problems, but yeah), as well as parents of children and adults with HFA, teachers (not just ones who are aware of having students with HFA; it's often undiagnosed), siblings, friends...

Perhaps my only criticism as of yet is that Luke appears to be coming from a place of privilege that maybe distorts his perception of some things? He claims that disclosing a diagnosis of autism does not disadvantage job applicants in any way. I just don't think that's true. Legally it may be, but in reality employers discriminate. I've observed how my ex-boss didn't employ any white people, which was almost definitely discrimination when one considers the demographics of my city and the fact that he was basically employing anyone with the ability to talk. Perhaps Luke has benefitted from class privilege that has made the discrimination rampant in the world of work invisible to him (not that he comes across as a Eton type or anything - there are degrees). I don't know... But it's something for him to think about (I do need to go back to the book and read it in full, though - perhaps I'll retract this opinion later on).

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written book. I asked for an Arc so I could relate this for my brother who is an Aspy. I really like the information was presented in a way for both ASD and non ASD could relate to. Very well done!

[Pat Rosenberg]

never received the book so cannot review

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

my only complaint is that it wasn't longer! well-written, completely relatable, very helpful book.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!