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Publishers Weekly
When Bashe, a certified special education teacher, and Kirby, founder and moderator of OASIS
(a popular Asperger Syndrome Web site with support message boards), published the previous edition
of this book in 2001, parents of children with the pervasive development disorder flocked to it.
The authors now offer this updated edition of the definitive resource, explaining what is currently
known about the nature of Asperger Syndrome from the viewpoint of doctors and families. In understandable
language, Bashe and Kirby provide instructions for parents on how to gain access to information,
support and treatment for their child, covering the most up-to-date options available as well as
advice on new medications and special education. Later, they look at aspects of the "whole child,"
offering suggestions for parents on helping their son or daughter manage their social and emotional
worlds, life at school and general growing-up issues. Bashe and Kirby acknowledge that every AS child
is different, but with the help of numerous anecdotes from parents of AS children, they manage to
provide a wide-ranging, indispensable guide. (On sale Mar. 29)
Parents struggling to find answers about their
children often have to wade through pedantic
and confusing mazes. Frequently, books about
medical or developmental conditions offer little
more than the author's personal story or a
textbookish monotone. Refreshingly, these
authors delve into the shady, often
misunderstood world of pervasive
developmental disorders, of which perhaps the
most well-known is autism, with clarity, warmth
and amazing depth, focusing on Asperger
Syndrome (AS). The authors present unfamiliar
terms and jargon with full explanations, and
with none of the patronizing tone sometimes
encountered in the medical world. The reader is
not left with the personal story alone, and
forced to go off on her own expedition for
information. The authors (both mothers of AS
children) effectively trace this disorder from the
onset of symptoms through adulthood. While
most parents may be tempted to skip straight to
Chapter 2 to devour the list of telltale signs and
apply them to their own child, they would do
well to start at the beginning. The book grew
out of the authors' OASIS Web site (Online
Asperger Syndrome Information and Support),
which has furthered AS research immeasurably
(the site's response rates alone provide
important information about potential numbers
of people with AS). These authors have
certainly done their homework. Besides
invaluable practical information, parents and
other interested persons will find comfort in the
book's welcoming tone and the knowledge that
they are not alone.
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Booklist
Both Bashe and Kirby have sons with Asperger
Syndrome (AS), which is somewhat similar to
autism. In this guide based on messages and
discussions from the Online Asperger
Syndrome Information and Support (OASIS)
Web site, they point out early, and frequently
underline, the fact that each AS sufferer is a
person who deserves love and encouragement.
After parents overcome the shock of AS
diagnosis and realize that their child isn't bad,
nor are they bad parents, they will have many
questions, plans, ups, and downs. This guide
aims to lead them through all those in a practical
and understanding manner. It stresses that
flexibility, resilience, and factual information are
major needs of all involved with an AS person;
discusses methods for dealing with individuals
and institutions; and strongly advises parents
not to try going it alone. This helpful book
concludes with referral to sources of further
information. Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved |
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Library Journal
Though few Americans have ever heard of
Asperger Syndrome (AS), recent studies
suggest its rate of occurrence may be as high as
seven in 1000. Also known as high-functioning
autism, AS is characterized by obsessive
behavior, normal to high intelligence, and
deficits in social interaction, communication,
and imagination. Bashe and Kirby, both
mothers of children with AS, rely heavily on
professional literature for their book. However,
they also draw upon the results of numerous
parent surveys they have posted on their
OASIS (Online Asperger Syndrome
Information & Support) web site. Their text
covers clinical aspects of AS in practical
language. The authors also deal with taking
control of your child's education and
therapeutic program, as well looking at the
whole child, including areas professionals tend
to neglect. As awareness of AS grows among
both professionals and the general public, so
will the need for a book of this quality. A
valuable purchase for most large and mid-sized
collections.
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