Read All About It

Here is a list of books that have been helpful in our journey with Asperger's Syndrome.  This is not an end-all list; there are many wonderful books out there.  I will add more as I come across them.    If you have some to share with me, please leave a comment.

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When Audrey first started OT (Occupational Therapy) this book was suggested to us by her therapist.  It helped us to understand so much of what she was dealing with when it came to her Sensory Processing Dysfunction.

The Out-of-Sync Child  Written by:  Carol Kranowitz & Lucy Jane Miller

From Amazon's Book Description:  The Out-of-Sync Child broke new ground by identifying Sensory Processing Disorder, a common but frequently misdiagnosed problem in which the central nervous system misinterprets messages from the senses. This newly revised edition features additional information from recent research on vision and hearing deficits, motor skill problems, nutrition and picky eaters, ADHA, autism, and other related disorders.

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When Audrey was officially and clinically diagnosed with ASD we bought this book to read with her.  She felt so empowered to have this information and know there were other kids like her.

Can I tell you about Asperger's Syndrome?  Written by: Jude Welton

From Amazon's Book Description:  Meet Adam - a young boy with AS. Adam invites young readers to learn about AS from his perspective. In this book, Adam helps children understand the difficulties faced by a child with AS; he tells them what AS is, what it feels like to have AS and how they can help children with AS by understanding their differences and appreciating their many talents. This book is ideally suited for boys and girls between 7 and 15 years old and also serves as an excellent starting point for family and classroom discussions.

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School Success for Kids with Asperger's Syndrome  Written by:Stephen M. Silverman & Rich Weinfeld

From Amazon's Book Description:  Hundreds of thousands of children face life with Asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism spectrum disorder that affects a child's language and social skills. Kids with Asperger's have average to above-average intelligence, but often have obsessive interests, are socially awkward, and do not understand the subtleties of language and conversation. With concentrated effort on the part of parents and educators, these children can begin to overcome the difficulties of this disorder and find success in school and life. 

School Success for Kids with Asperger's Syndrome covers topics such as recognizing and diagnosing Asperger's syndrome, addressing the needs of students with Asperger's, implementing successful practices in the classroom, working with the school system, and providing interventions in the home to help develop needed skills.

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How To Teach Life Skills to Kids with Autism or Asperger's  Written by:  Jennifer McIlwee Myers, Foreword by:  Temple Grandin

From Amazon's Book Description:  In the real world, people on the autism spectrum need the same kinds of day-to-day skills everyone else needs to be functional!

It's true. No matter how high-functioning children with autism or Asperger's may be or may become, they function better as adults if they’ve had the chance to learn basic skills, from being on time to good personal hygiene. But many reach adulthood without those skills.

Enter Jennifer McIlwee Myers, Aspie at Large.

Coauthor of the groundbreaking book Asperger's and Girls, Jennifer's personal experience with Asperger's Syndrome and having a brother with autism makes her perspective doubly insightful.

Jennifer can show you how to:

• Create opportunities for children to learn in natural settings and situations
• Teach vital skills such as everyday domestic tasks, choosing appropriate attire, and being polite
• Help individuals on the spectrum develop good habits that will help them be more fit and healthy
• Improve time management skills such as punctuality and task-switching
• And much more!

 Jennifer's straightforward and humorous delivery will keep you eagerly turning the page for her next creative solution!

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"One of those well meaning moms"

Photo courtesy of Google Images

When Boo (now age 9) was three years old we went to a birthday party for one of her preschool classmates.  There were 8-10 preschoolers and as many moms.  We were all in close proximity.  While the other kids were running, playing, and having a lot of fun interacting with each other my Boo clung to my side, crying, screaming, and thoroughly not enjoying herself.

At the time I cared what other people thought of my parenting, and I was mortified that my child was the only one screaming during what should have been a fun couple of hours.  Soon it was time to eat a snack of half-moon cookies.  I remember that Boo had calmed down, but was still visibly upset.  As she sat in the chair at the table she began sobbing looking at her cookie then looking up at me.  Looking back at her cookie she reached towards it ever so slowly, the closer she got the harder she cried.  It took me only seconds to realize she did not want to touch it.  The feel of the frosting on her fingers was more than she could bare.  There I was again, caring what other parents thought of me and my child, feeling embarrassed that my child was the only child using a fork to eat her cookie. 

Finally it was time to go outside.  The minute we stepped out of the house a switch flipped inside Boo.  She was happy again, calm, and content to play in the yard.  

In the midst of all the chaos one of those well meaning moms asked, "Has she been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome?".  I will never forget how that one question made me hate that mom.  How dare she even suggest something be wrong with my precious daughter.  What the hell did she know!  I remember telling her she did not have Asperger's (even though I didn't know much about AS I knew Boo did not have it).  I remember complaining to my close friends how other moms never know when to mind their own business.  I never admitted that deep down inside I knew something was up with Boo.  That incident was the beginning of what would later be diagnosed as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). 

That birthday party was an overstimulation of senses that Boo could not process all at once.  In the noise department we had several adults talking at once, along with several children yelling & playing.  In the visual department we had pretty packages of all different sizes and shapes, balloons in many colors floating around, and a diversity of people's faces in close proximity.  In the taste & smell department we had sticky frosting, sweet cookies, fruit juices, and an array of other foods.  ALL!  AT!  ONCE!  Still don't know how that feels to a child with SPD?  Try this little experiment:  

Go into a room, light some scented candles.  Turn the tv & radio up loud, turn on all of the lights, call in your family and ask them to talk to you.  Get the dog barking, call up your best friend on the phone, grab some colorful scarves and dance to the radio.  ALL!  AT!  ONCE!  

Now shut it all off.  You can breathe again.  That was the switch that flipped when we took Boo from the party to the outside.  

Years later I no longer care what other people think of my parenting, my children's behavior, or even their misbehavior.  Years later I wish I could go back to that "Well Meaning Mom" and give her a hug and a thank you.  She got us thinking, she made us realize that we had something to research, she had us questioning Boo's behavior.  She was not rude or imposing.  She truly was one of those well meaning moms. 

I learned that I could trust other moms, trust my gut, and listen to my child.  After all, I too am "One of those well meaning moms".  

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If you think your child might have Sensory Processing Disorder or want to learn more about children with SPD check out  The Out of Sync Child by Carol Kranowitz .