Our Journey Through High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome: A Roadmap

by Linda Andron

For the families who have contributed to this book, living with autism spectrum disorders has been a journey of self-discovery. With honesty and humor, they describe the ways autism has affected their daily lives, the challenges they have faced and the approaches they have found beneficial. They share their practical and original strategies for dealing with issues such as helping children to develop empathy and humor, developing and maintaining friendships and explaining their autism spectrum disorders to other people. This book will be a source of advice and inspiration for families of children with autism and the professionals who work with them. It is practical, realistic and positive - autism is seen as something to be understood and celebrated. As 11-year-old Glen states in the Appendix, written by some of the children with autism featured in the `I like myself and consider my difference something positive.'

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Psychology

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2001

Reviews

[Sortal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less of a roadmap and more of a hit and miss spotlight on parenting autistic children (all boys, except one). Happily, there is some content from autistic children, but this is mostly by and for parents.

[Matthew Shoe · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is woefully mis-titled. The idea of journeys and a road-map gives you the impression that the families will talk about when they first discovered they or their children were different, maybe how they were different, and how they manage. Maybe a guidebook of sorts. This book is in reality a compilation of several different families describing some random things they have done with their autism spectrum kids. No in-depth discussion of the discovery of difference, or even good information on how to help these kids.

There were a few nuggets of wisdom, but mostly I felt like I was just looking at the collected school papers of some proud parents trying to show off how clever they and their kids are.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing style is not fabulous, but it's a compilation of several parents's stories, all of them learning to live with, and not necessarily "cure" their children with autism. So far, so good.

[Shannon Hedges · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wouldn't recommend this. For those with loved ones on the spectrum, I suggest checking out Temple Grandin's books and lectures.

[Bridgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essays on autism, some by autistics. It was okay, but not astounding.