For a condition that seemed almost unheard of 20 years ago, Asperger’s seems to be getting a lot of attention these days. From Christopher, the narrator of the The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, to Lisbeth Salander the heroine of the novel-turned-movie, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, to Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory and Abed from Community, characters displaying traits of this high-functioning autism spectrum disorder are popping up everywhere in popular culture and with good reason. While people with Asperger’s Syndrome may miss certain social cues and lack understanding of the subtleties of social interaction, they often make up for it with sharp intelligence, a keen curiosity about the world, and a quirky sense of humor. Some historical figures who displayed characteristics associated with Asperger’s Syndrome include Thomas Jefferson, Mozart, Jane Austen, Charles Darwin, Galileo, Picasso, and Bill Gates. Not bad company to be in.
Some of the behaviors that mark this so-called disorder are such traits as being trusting and honest to a fault, loyal to their friends, overly polite or formalized in their speech patterns, and strictly adherent to rules. In other words, they’re decent, dependable, hard-working, kind and true. And although I’ve heard it said that ‘Aspies’ lack a sense of humor, I have someone very close to me with Aspergers and I would have to say that the opposite is true – not only can he appreciate comedy, but his dry, dead-pan humor makes him one of the funniest people I know.
But dealing with a diagnosis of Asperger’s does have its challenges. An inability to read facial expressions and social cues or make eye contact, a lack of empathy, and sensitivity to certain stimuli can be difficult for both parents and for kids who often sense instinctively that they don’t ‘fit in’. But, while there is no treatment for Asperger’s, a greater understanding of the condition leads to greater acceptance of the traits that make Aspies unique. They can also take comfort in the fact that as this condition gains more recognition, there are more resources available to help them navigate life with Aspergers, and that people diagnosed with Asperger’s can and do make successful and productive members of society.
Here are five excellent books about Asperger’s Syndrome, many told from the point of view of people diagnosed with the condition. If you’re questioning what kind of future your child may face following their diagnosis, these books will leave you reassured that they can lead full and happy lives, and give you a better understanding of how their minds work, while offering useful tools, strategies and suggestions to help you both along the way.
Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome
By Luke Jackson
This book, written by a 13 year old British boy with Aspergers, offers an insightful look at what it’s like to grow up with Aspergers. Navigating the teenage years can be particularly tough for Aspies as it’s a time when relationships change and new feelings start to emerge. Jackson takes us along on his sometimes difficult journey through adolescence and gives readers a deeper understanding of Aspergers, whether we are parents trying to relate to our own children, or kids with Aspergers learning that they are not alone.
The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome
By Tony Attwood
This book, written by one of the world’s foremost experts on Asperger’s, is a must-read for all parents coming to terms with their children’s diagnosis. This in-depth, comprehensive guide covers all aspects of the condition, from causes and symptoms, to emotion and self-perception, to the effect of Asperger’s on education, career and relationships. This is the bible for people with Asperger’s.
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s
By John Elder Robison
This touching and humorous memoir is a fascinating account of what it’s like to grow up with Asperger’s. From a difficult childhood of feeling misunderstood and unable to communicate, to adolescence and the inadvertent discovery of a passion for machines and gadgetry, to an adulthood of quirky, unusual jobs and an eventual diagnosis, this story illustrates how Asperger’s doesn’t have to hold one back from finding their place in the world and can sometimes show us the path.
Born On A Blue Day
By Daniel Tammet
This memoir is another look into the unique mind of a person with Asperger’s. With uncanny self-awareness Tammet, an autistic savant, takes us on a journey through his brain and shows us in simple language his strange yet appealing perspective on the world. Parents struggling to understand what makes their children with Asperger’s tick would do well to step into the mind of Daniel Tammet for a while to truly appreciate how what makes us different can also be what makes us so special.
All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome
By Kathy Hoopman
If you have a young child at home who has been diagnosed, this picture book is a perfect way to introduce them to their unique condition. With humorous photography, it illustrates the symptoms of Asperger’s through traits that anyone who has ever owned, or known, a cat will recognize. But you don’t have to be young to appreciate it. The simple comparisons will strike a chord with parents too, offering a straightforward look at what makes children with Asperger’s different yet wonderful.
My son has Asperger’s – we have known since he was 9 years old – and he is now 17. It was a real relief to him when we found out the diagnoses, because prior to that, he simply felt “weird”. He’s different, yes, but in his own unique way ~ certainly not weird. Though we still have ups and downs, that’s the way it is with teenagers, we have helped him learn to understand and deal with his Asperger’s rather than allow it to control his life.
Wow! I am so glad I clicked on the parents page to find this. I have 3 sons and 2 of them have Asperger’s to different degrees. We were only diagnosed in there mid 20′s and life has been so difficult for them. Now that my oldest is now almost 30 we are feeling so lost at what is to become of his future. And yes they have a great sense of humor and are both very sensitive caring loving people…extremly intellgent…but can’t get jobs. We are lost and lonely.
It is hard to watch the world treat your child as if there is something “wrong” with them. My son had a tough time, and it will continue to be tough, but he is tougher than I thought. He is now married to a wonderful woman he has known most of his life, she understands him and loves him. It took awhile, but he found his niche working with computers, and is really really good at it. I would hope your sons can find something they are interested in pursuing, and whatever it is support them and don’t ever give up, or let them give up. I hope you can get some support for yourself, as well. I know you are under a strain, and talking about it might help. You can’t help your sons if you are depleted. There is hope! My heart is with you and your sons.
Thank you for this article. I read Look Me In The Eye and loved it; I will definitely find the rest of these books. My 12-year-old son has Asperger’s and I think he’d enjoy reading them too.
My daughter also has been diagnosed with Asperger’s disorder. She will be 14 next month, and I agree that a diagnosis was a relief to us. For years, we blamed circumstances and environment for our daughter’s ‘different’ behavior, but finally had to face the facts that it was not those things, but it was our daughter. We then had her tested. After the diagnosis, it was difficult for us to determine what was kid/teenager and what was asperger’s, but eventually we realized that having a diagnosis wasn’t going to change or affect our daughter at all, but it would help us parent her, help her. Another difficulty we have had is the fact that those with the diagnosis are primarily boys. It would be nice for our daughter to meet someone her age with the same diagnosis that could understand her better. I am so thankful for autism awareness and pray that the more people learn and understand the autism spectrum, the easier it will be for all those affected by the disorder.
It’s nice to read this. One of my daughters has PDD-NOS, but it is basically Asperger’s. None of the kids at school know there is anything “wrong” with her, just that she is a bit different. She is also 14 and always laments that she can’t find anyone like her (who is a girl!) who likes the same kind of things-computers, reading, cats, video games. I also wish there were more girls around as well, as there seems to be a plethora of boys in the area and few to no girls her age.
Sometimes I think I have Aspergers, and although I know self-diagnosis is not a great idea I fear the label that comes with the diagnosis. I have already been identified as highly gifted in my school board, and while I attend a special program for similarly-identified students I can’t be sure. Now that the attributes and ideas are becoming more prevalent in society, I think people would put even higher labels on those identified with Aspergers. I suffered through years of expectations identified as gifted. If I do indeed have Aspergers, I wouldn’t want to have to go through it as well.
I have an 11 year old son with Aspergers, though he doesn’t know it. We have suspected it for years and began implementing therapeutic techniques into our daily lives. I worked hard as a mom teaching him to read the feelings of others. My favorite line is, “This is what mom looks like when she is mad.” He knows his “brain thinks differently than other kids” and he is happy with that explanation. We frequently celebrate his strengths, intelligence and aspirations and continually give him strategies to manage the difficult situations.
I have an adult child in his 30′s with Asperger’s. When he was young, we went through countless professionals, and no one correctly diagnosed him. We went through a lot dealing with his “uniqueness”, especially in the teen years, not knowing what or how to really help him, and it was only as a young man in his 20′s that he was finally correctly diagnosed.A misdiagnosis is not only not helpful, it can be hurtful. Knowing what is going on and understanding better how to help him cope is a much better way to live. He is mouch more accepting of himself now that he understands how he is the way he is. Thankfully now this is more well-known and understood and I am so happy to see even mainstream characters in the media portraying these kids for what they really are: intelligent, loving, quirky handfuls that are a real gift to everyone who knows them. I am sad my son had such a tough path so far, but I am so happy to see so much knowledge and understanding coming to the fore out there!
My daughter has aspergers syndrome. we found out about four years ago, i was scared to tell her since some people take the syndrome for advantages as in not doing work, etc. when she was in fourth and fith grade, she was almost failing school, then, when i told her that she had aspergers syndrome, it took less then half a year to turn her education from failing, to being on the honor roll every quarter in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. and she got something published at only 13 years old. it’s really amazing how telling someone that they have a disorder could turn their life around, in less then a year! also, she takes her syndrome as a gift, its wonderful. -rothschild9-
I have a aspergers and so do my other friend who play webkinz we like it alot even if we in high school we still love playing, webkinz make me calm and no aspergers/autism is not bad it is a gift that the the Lord given us, think of it as good way
– From ellen3995
This article was very thoughtful, and I enjoyed reading it. I have a few friends with Asperger’s syndrome. They are clever, quirky, and delightful.
Kids with Asperger’s…i thinks its great they’re finally getting help instead of being punished for the same behaviour I grew up with. However, I wish someone would help adults with Asperger’s. All i hear now is “oh you don’t have real problems”. Wish there was somewhere I could go for help (without insurance or $$$ that I don’t have.).