Aspies For Freedom

After trying for some time to find links to books I've decided to start this thread. While I don't wish to wear the subject 'thread-bare' for those who have surely seen multiple threads on this line...

It seems that there is a need for links to sites, books from Amazon, and whatever relevant information that is out there.

For example, I've read Tony Attwood's book and found it interesting, but also that it contained considerable overlap with information that could be attributed solely to personality type.

Also, what would be a great help is information that other actual diagnosed aspies found useful.

The Asperger PLUS Child by George T. Lynn deals with differential diagnosis of AS vs. OCD, NVLD, Bipolar, ODD, Tourette's and ADHD (and combinations thereof) and AS vs. HFA if that is any help.

A friend of mine is very interested in AS vs. Personality differences I will ask her if she knows any more.

What sort of books are you looking for?

Actually, I'm more interested in the adult diagnostic material and personal accounts of teenagers and adults with AS.

I was at Barnes and Nobles earlier today and it seems that there is very little out there in the area of adult PDD-NOS diagnosis.

Amazon wasn't too big of a help either, although that site should contain the most material since they are the #1 book seller.

I keep finding the same repetitive lists on the net. Tony Attwood's book is quite good but leaves doubts as to the overlap between PDD-NOS, personality so-called disorders, and AS.

Here's one such list: http://www.autistics.org/access/information/pdd/hf.html

which Attwood book?  His 2007 one is very useful for HFA/Asperger's because it incorporates a lot of accounts of individuals. The first few chapts of Grandin's animals in translation is also useful.  Also "Labeled autistic."  There's a book that Grandin does an intro for that's also good..the book talks about how Aspies should be proud...I forget the title/author offhand but I can look it up if you're interested.  I also recommend reading "Mindblind" by Simon Baron-Cohen.  Baron-Cohen also has some other good ones that you might be interested in.  Uta Frith writes some good stuff as well...she also put out an annotated version the original text of Asperger (the researcher).
Are there specific aspects of the diagnosis you're interested in??  I've read literally hundreds of books/articles on it, so I can make recommendations pretty readily.  Let me know.

Try http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/WEBSITE/...mepage.php they do free delivery and are often cheaper than Amazon. Their search sucks a bit but if you have time to browse through the enormous amount of books on autism & diagnosis they have a lot to offer.

"A Strange World" is one that springs to mind.

I must admit that I haven't tried this one.

 

Absolutely. I'm still trying to find the line where Avoidant or Schizoid personality is distinguished from a true case of Asperger's. From what I can tell, a childhood autism diagnosis of PDD-NOS is a good delineator.

Any accounts of adults that were diagnosed with Asperger's would be of help since other than myself I've never met any...

 

I'm not sure if a childhood diagnosis of PDD-Nos would be so useful as it is very common for adults to be diagnosed with Aspergers or HFA without  having any childhood diagnosis.

Plus since it was only included in the DSM in 1987 (DSM-III R) it would be difficult for most people over 20 to have gotten such a diagnosis in childhood anyway!

Ooooh, I see. Another pidgeon-hole. I'm still flapping around looking for mine.

Part of the reason that I search so hard is as follows. Unlike many aspies  I have to take a low dose of Depakote 750  mg and Seroquel 50 mg or I have depression problems that somehow got me classed as bipolar. Also, the current physician doesn't believe that I could possibly be aspie which leads to more confusion.

I appreciate everyone's patience on this board.