Aspies For Freedom

My Dad came to visit me yesterday, and I explained to him about why my counsellor referred me for an assessment.  We ended up having a very long discussion about Asperger's, and my Dad believes he probably has AS too.  I was not surprised by this, because when I first figured things out for myself, I was seeing him in everything I was reading about.

His girlfriend teaches a special needs class, and a fair number of her students have autism.  Since she found out about me going for testing (she has probably heard what my Dad has to say by now, too) she has been doing a lot of research on AS.

Yesterday my Dad and I went to Chapter's Bookstore, and we picked up a couple of books--Look Me In the Eye and Thinking in Pictures. Can people recommend any other well-written books for my Dad and his girlfriend to read? Or perhaps particularly good informational sites online?

Just to agree, "Look Me In the Eye" was an amazing book.  Not so darn clinical.  I also read one called "Living and Loving with Asperger Syndrome" which was a very good read.  Gave the information from the perspective of an AS Dad, his wife and their son.

I liked Look Me In The Eye. I found it really tongue in cheek and it was nice to see an Aspie with a sense of humour.

Tony Attwood's Complete Guide to Aspergers is the best book out there though. 'Congratulations... its Aspergers!' I got that at my diagnosis and I'd love to hear more people being told that.

All Cats Have Asperger's was also a nice read.

We are a bit lucky in Brisbane to have Tony  living here and operating his business here. There are few researchers of aspies better.

I have attended his seminars a few times and he is just as good in person, if not better than in his books. My son has attended as well. Strongly reccomended if you have the opportunity.

He's started doing some seminars here, I've not had the chance to go as its like £300 a session, but I would LOVE to.

Our seminars are like, $45 per person. But then again you do have to get him over there.

Thank you for the suggestions! I think I will get the complete Guide to Asperger's for my Dad. I think he would find it very useful.

I'd like very much to read All Cats Have Asperger's , and Living and Loving with Asperger's Syndrome might be especially interesting for both my Dad, his girlfriend, and me, too.

Are there any particularly bad books out there? (Just curious.)

While I have not read it, I would guess that Jenny McCarthy's book is not good.  I have also heard about books about "indigo children" and of course books that talk about how to "cure" your child.  

I have not read them, but I am sure they are out there.

"The Fabric of Autism: Weaving the Threads Into a Cogent Theory," by Judith Bluestone (2005).
(written from her own perspective as an autistic spectrumite)

I don't think it would be helpful to an adult like your Dad perse, but for his girlfriend as a teacher it would be great.  I liked the book, it has some really good common sense things in it (common sense is uncommon)

Maxine Ashton is hell bent on making us seem like possible wife beaters....

Well that would be because you have no emotion, form no attachments, love no one and just need a cure, right?  (Sarcasm.)

Yes, of course, I forgot! Now please leave me alone so I can spoon my battery until I fall asleep.

Ocampo, you are too funny!

Terribly sexy, good wit and a wonderful friend to boot!  She makes the world a better place.