Asperger's Syndrome For Dummies

Gina Gomez de la Cuesta, PhD is Action Research Leader for The National Autistic Society (NAS). She has worked in the field of autism for six years and completed her PhD at the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge. James Mason, otherwise known as the Goth, has high-functioning autism. He is the editor of Asperger United magazine, published by the NAS, which is written by and for people on the autism spectrum.

Introduction 1

Part I: Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome 9

Chapter 1: Introducing Asperger’s Syndrome 11

Chapter 2: Discovering the Causes of Asperger’s Syndrome 23

Chapter 3: Diagnosing Asperger’s Syndrome 35

Chapter 4: Discovering Additional Diagnoses in Asperger’s Syndrome 59

Chapter 5: Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome in Women 81

Part II: Living with Asperger’s Syndrome 99

Chapter 6: Enjoying Life with Asperger’s Syndrome 101

Chapter 7: Getting the Most Out of Education and the Workplace 121

Chapter 8: Finding Independence and Advocating for Your Rights 133

Part III: Supporting People with Asperger’s Syndrome 147

Chapter 9: Parenting Children Who Have Asperger’s Syndrome 149

Chapter 10: Parenting During School, College and Adult Life 173

Chapter 11: Relating to People Who Have Asperger’s Syndrome 195

Chapter 12: Sussing Out Sensory Difficulties 219

Part IV: Discovering Therapies, Medication and Diet for Asperger’s Syndrome 235

Chapter 13: Navigating Behavioural Therapies 237

Chapter 14: Understanding Medication and Medical Procedures 259

Chapter 15: Digesting Diet 269

Part V: The Part of Tens 281

Chapter 16: Ten (Or So) Sources of Support and Information on Asperger’s Syndrome 283

Chapter 17: Ten Positives about Living with Asperger’s Syndrome 293

Chapter 18: Ten Famous People (Some Fictional) Who May Have Had Asperger’s Syndrome 299

Appendix A: A List of Books You Might Like to Read (And Some Discs) 311

Appendix B: Glossary 319

Index 331