The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome: Advice, Support, Insight, and Inspiration

by Patricia Romanowski Bashe, Barbara L. Kirby, Tony Attwood

Whether your child has been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome or troubling symptoms are just becoming apparent, this book will guide you in the right direction.

AS manifests itself in an array of characteristics, including average to high intelligence, obsessive behavior, intense special interests, and difficulty dealing with everyday social situations. Children with AS often have trouble processing and expressing emotions appropriately; they may be physically awkward or have unique learning styles. This can lead to isolation, inappropriate educational placement, misdiagnosis, and high risk for anxiety, depression, and even suicide.

As a parent of a boy diagnosed with AS in 1994, Barbara Kirby found scant resources and support. She developed the award-winning OASIS (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support) Web site in l995 to help other parents find the information they need. She teamed up with Patricia Romanowski Bashe, now co-owner of OASIS and herself the mother of a son with AS, to write The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome , the most complete resource for parents and teachers of children with AS.

Romanowski Bashe and Kirby have gathered the most up-to-date information from leading AS authorities, including Dr. Tony Attwood, who wrote the foreword. They know firsthand the joys and frustrations of raising children with AS, and they share their own experiences as well as those of dozens of parents facing the same challenges. You’ll learn what AS looks like and how it is diagnosed; how parents can accept and work with the diagnosis; what interventions, therapies, and medications are available; how to navigate through the school system, including the ins and outs of special ed; how parents can raise their unique child, guiding him or her through the social, emotional, and intellectual challenges on the way to adulthood. The authors’ surveys of thousands of parents of kids with AS spotlight and address concerns you doubtless share. This practical, sympathetic guide will help you face the particular challenges of loving and raising a child with AS.

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

467 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[R.K. Goff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay . . . I didn't really like it, but I'll tell you what this is:

Every parent with a child who is on the Autism Spectrum ought to have at least one big fat book with all the even slightly pertinent information--68% of which will probably never apply--just in case something comes up and the aren't sure what's going on. A reference book, if you will.

This is a good reference book. A really good one. The covered just about everything, and then they listed good resources if you needed more information.

So while it didn't make for a terrific read to snuggle down with in the evening, I can say that it does a FINE job of being highly useful--which is what the things for anyways.

[Kimberly Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading some of the reviews I was surprised that this book was not given a higher rating. Yes; it is a chore to read it. Yes, it is a reference book. Yes; it us not a good book to snuggle up with at night. Really? if you're even picking up this book it's because you know someone, most likely someone you love who has AS. A wealth of information is provided in here. I highly recommend reading it, and also getting on the OASIS website.

[Mooni Baronets · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a good book for those with no knowledge of Asperger Syndrome at all.
I tried to read this to learn about my Asperger's and I couldn't even get passed the first page. The book is in medical gibberish and uses very hard vocabulary. Don't buy this book if you want to learn about Asperger's.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ok book, for some one just finding out about Asperger's. Mostly anecdotal fluff, not so much scientific information. Good one to borrow from the library first, before buying.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books about raising a with Asperger's Syndrome that I have ever read. There may be updates by now, and although my daughter wasn't diagnosed until she was 18, there was still a huge amount of helpful information and guidance. They also had a website and a question board that was an enormous source of comfort to me.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written from the perspective to help parents with kids vs adults.

[Stephen Bedard · Rating 4 out of 5]

While somewhat dated now and problematic in some ways to more recent views of autism, this book does provide some helpful information.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's more geared towards parents with children on the spectrum rather than adults, but it has some really good history of the diagnosis in the beginning.

[Sandee Clemons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I work with children on the spectrum and I have several friends that have aspergers. This book is wonderful, as it clears up many of the misunderstandings of what aspergers is and isn't. Due to the increase in the number of individuals diagnosed on the spectrum this book should be in every school library and provided to the patient (and his family) in every case where it is diagnosed.

[Briana]

“(Purchased) Barb and Patty's OASIS Guide is almost like a comprehensive cookbook for AS; I often compare it to Joy of Cooking. It is written by a pair of very dynamic women who have sons with differing presentations of AS. Barb somehow manages to reign in her inner snark and deliver an overview of therapies, interventions, school issues (in the U.S.), medication and more.”

[Smellsofbikes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primarily aimed at parents who know nothing about the subject, but have young children who have been diagnosed. However, it has a lot of material, both in the first couple of chapters and the last three, that are applicable to a lot wider audience, as regards ways to recognize, avoid, and/or deal with problem situations.

[Jennifer Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, comprehensive resource for Asperger's Syndrome.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has helped me understand what my son is going through and explained many questions I've come across.

[Deon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I refer to this book a lot due to current family circumstances. It is very helpful.

[Debbie Whiting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent information on Asperger's with concrete examples.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very detailed, current perspective of autism/aspergers from parent's and teacher's perspective.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands-down the best, most real-to-life, well-written book I've read on asperger's.

[Nancy Millwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough. A good one to keep on hand if you are dealing with ASD or have family or friend living with this condition.

[Matthew Shoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly comprehensive read on AS. One of the few books on the subject that gives some focused advice on working with a child on the autism spectrum.

[Starr De graffenried · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed it from the library and decided that I needed to own a copy. This is book is a great resource.

[Jen]

A good reference book.

[Jenni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read bits and pieces but really technical and other books were more helpful

[Mellony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I read on ASD and by far my favorite.