A Mind Apart: Understanding Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome

by Peter Szatmari

Why would a child refuse to talk about anything but wasp wings-or the color of subway train doors? What does it mean when a nine-year-old asks questions about death hundreds of times a day? And how can parents build a close relationship with a little girl who hates to be touched? In this compassionate book, leading autism authority Dr. Peter Szatmari shows that children with autism spectrum disorders act the way they do because they think in vastly different ways than other people. Dr. Szatmari shares the compelling stories of children he has treated who hear everyday conversation like a foreign language or experience hugs like the clamp of a vise. Understanding this unusual inner world-and appreciating the unique strengths that thinking differently can bestow-will help parents relate to their children more meaningfully, and make the "outer world" a less scary place.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Psychology, Nonfiction, Parenting, Education

210 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three things stand out as positives about this book. One, Szatmari explains the different types of ASD and how to tell them apart, and he does this more clearly than anyone else I've read. Two, he outlines the difference between real science and junk science, freely admits that real science has very unsatisfying and sparse answers about autism at this stage of the game, and helps parents figure out what's chaff and what's good stuff as far as current autism treatments go. Third, he finds positive things about people with autism and encourages the rest of the world to learn to think of autistic people's perspectives as valuable to the world rather than merely detrimental.

On that last point, though, he can sometimes wax a little too poetic; I couldn't help thinking if he were tearing his hair out with his own autistic kid throwing tantrums at home, he might not be quite so starry-eyed at times. But I do appreciate a clinician who can see autistic people as PEOPLE rather than as their condition, as well as a clinician who offers hope rather than all gloom and doom.

Szatmari also has a tendency toward wordiness; I found my eyes glazing over several times. But on the whole, I found this a far more valuable book than most I've read on autism. I'm going to be passing this one on to others.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't everything I hoped it would be.

I came at this book years ago and then put it down because the diagnosis of my son was new and I was hoping for answers. This doesn't really provide very many of those I don't think.

Instead you have case studies Lots and lots of case studies, along with some pretty weighty science and explanation (and he admits there isn't a lot of explanation) and description of various therapies used on those patients with varying degrees of success.

My thoughts? There are better books out there to explain autism. There are also more interesting personal stories. This might serve well as an introduction, and it carries interest in discovering the wide range of auistic behavior. But if you are looking for solid, easy to understand practical information, this isn't the book for you.

[Beth]

Accessible, informing and moving, this is one of the better nonfiction books I've read in a long while. Szatmari's approach explains the world of children with autism using individual case studies to illustrate certain principles, such as insistence on sameness in individuals with autism, what the medical community knows (and doesn't know) about causes, the importance of early intervention, and so on. But by far the most important information comes in the form of his subtle understanding of how children with autism perceive the world around them, and his recognition of how valuable that perception can be.

[Sara Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Szamatmari posee la experiencia necesaria para escribir un libro en el que se explica perfectamente la diferencia entre Asperger y autismo. Los ejemplos que describe, basados en su experiencia como terapeuta, ayudan a hacerse una idea de la variedad de perfiles que encajan en el rango de las enfermedades del espectro autista.

Szatmari habla de las vivencias de los niños, en casa, en la escuela, pero también del modo en que los padres se enfrentan a este diagnóstico. Recalca la importancia de empezar cuanto antes con la terapia adecuada para ayudar al niño a desarrollar las técnicas que necesita para suplir sus carencias e integrarse en la sociedad.

El caso de Sharon me pareció particularmente interesante, al ser una adulta que había logrado mejorar aplicando las técnicas por su propia cuenta. El diagnóstico de Asperger no estaba claro, pero sin duda compartía muchas facetas de este síndrome. Una experiencia sin duda muy enriquecedora para el terapeuta que pudo ver cómo alguien había logrado por su propia cuenta labrarse una carrera exitosa y formar una familia pese al síndrome.

Una lectura interesante y accesible, incluso para aquellos que todavía no sean entendidos en el campo.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid introduction to ASD and many other related conditions. The author helps you explore what it is like, from a first hand perspective, to be mind-blind. To live apart from other minds, unaware of their intentions, thoughts and feelings. The first person phenomenological perspective is backed up by plenty of hard science, although this book was published in 2004 and I feel that some of the information could be rather dated by this stage.

This book was intended to fill the gaps for parents, families, carers and teachers between a diagnosis of ASD and the frenzied searching panic that follows. I maintain it completes it's objective well; a comforting, realistic look into the mysterious minds of those with autism spectrum disorder. The author goes to great lengths to emphasize the uniqueness and strengths of those with the condition as well as detail what can be done to help them overcome their specific deficits. The author presents a message of hope, while still promoting acceptance and awareness of the prognosis of the condition. Those with anxiety of where to start treatment will find plenty of helpful suggestions based on best-practice evidence based medicine.

The author also deals with "alternative" etiology theories, including diets, "toxins", heavy metals and vaccines. All of this is dealt with a healthy dose of skepticism, which is core to the scientific method. True to the form of an empiricist, the author does not rule out these alternative theories, but instead says there is "no scientific evidence". This is perhaps the reason for the somewhat low ratings despite an excellent book; proponents of the "vaccines cause autism theory" expect to have their opinions validated in print by real scientists and instead of revising their worldview when the experts don't agree decide to leave a nasty review.

My main criticism lies in the authors writing style. While consistently evocative and beautifully personal, the author relies on extended use of protracted metaphors, which can become quite tiresome after a developmental disorder is described as a river, a journey or a road for the umpteenth time. Nevertheless, nitpicking, a solid read that I thoroughly enjoyed and learned much from.

[Mrs. Missive · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book blends personal stories of autistic children with what we can learn from them as told by the doctor who treated them. This book is a series of individual stories, and had a broad spectrum of behaviors. Using snipets of dialogue and real life examples the points the author was trying to convey about how a child on the autism spectrum learns and interacts with the world was very clear.

This was an interesting read and due to the fact it was sectioned off well with well titled chapters, I found it easy to skip around in. 4 stars.

[Kristine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got a little frustrated with the way he treated some of the parents when he didn't agree with them, and his dismissal of theories of the causes of autism with no allowance that perhaps he is wrong. I'm not sure what I expected out of this book, but it was a let-down after reading Temple Grandin. If you want to learn more about how the autistic mind works, read one of her books instead.

[Mark]

An extraordinarily wise, humane and compassionate book on its subject. I particularly appreciated, as a teacher who has served children with autism and Asperger Syndrome, Dr. Szatmari's imperative to teach children with autism as they are, rather than who we think they should be. Published by the relatively small Guilford Press in New York City, this book merits wide distribution and discussion.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very compassionate look at autism from a doctor who tries to help people understand how the world is different for people with autism. Reads rather like whistling in the dark sometimes, although any attempt to make the situation more comprehensible for parents is worthwhile.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was easy to read and covered a vast amunt of info about ASD and kids. I enjoyed his style of writing and could feel his respect, compassion and awe through his stories. A great read and very recommended!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Read it in memory of my friend, Brian K. who had a passion for working with this population of children.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for a first look at autism. The intermixing of real life stories and information is helpful. It is important to note that this is entirely from the author's perspective.

[Joy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this to help me better understand my son, and to get tips on how to better interact with him. This book didn't address anything I was hoping it would.

[SpookyBoogie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice but outdated book. I particularly appreciate ye author's insistence that therapy for children with ASDs be scientifically proven.

[Andrea Cota]

Assigned reading for a college class. I like how the author uses vignettes of individuals on the spectrum to demonstrate concepts related to Autism Spectrum Disorders.