From: Douglas Tate Date: Fri, 08 May 1998 21:13:40 +0100 Subject: Asperger
Hi Steve....
Hilary wondered whether this might be of any use to you....
ATB
Douglas
############## Asperger's syndrome: a Guide for Parents and Professionals
Tony Attwood
Jessica Kingsley 1997, I S. B. N. #1-85302-557-1, =A312. 95
This book is a valuable guide through the often thorny issues surrounding this still contraversial area of clinical work.
The book begins by looking closely at the issues the surrounding current diagnosis. A these are fully explored in a practical and easy accessible style. The inclusion of the Australian Scale for Asperger's Syndrome is a useful tool for clinicians when they are trying to focus their thoughts about a child or as a format for multidisciplinary discussion about a child difficulties.
I find that there is still a myth that children with Asperger's Syndrome have few communication difficulties. The specific language difficulties experienced are fully outlined in chapter 3. From a practical therapy viewpoint there are lots of suggestions for strategies and activities which I found immediately useful in clinical planning. The chapters covering social skills, language and cognition for (theory of mind) are especially useful. This guide continues along a planned route, stopping off in chapters which examine social behaviour, language, interests and routines, motor clumsiness, cognition and sensory sensitivity in turn.
It would be possible to use this guide to stop off and dip into these chapters or alternatively to visit them in any order. I found that I was frequently turning back and re-visiting a previous chapter. Each key area is covered in an easily understandable yet very comprehensive way. The "summary of strategies " charts at the end of each chapter are useful snapshot addition along the way.
Throughout the journey the author includes many extracts written by people who have Asperger's Syndrome and their viewpoints about areas such as perceptual distortion and anxiety.
Finally there is a focus on the "frequently asked questions". This substantial section covers issues such as inheritance, causal factors, anxiety, careers and long-term outcomes. There is an appendix of suggested resources which will, unfortunately, become quickly out of date. This guide will answer many questions for parents and will become a well thumbed addition to the book shelves of both experienced therapists and those for a new to this client group.
