Adult with Asperger's in the News

Tim Page, a Pulitzer-prize winning music writer, has an article in the latest issue of The New Yorker magazine. In it, he describes his childhood; his obsessions, past and present; the frustrations of being considered a "genius," but not knowing why, and still failing all the uninteresting classes; the relief of receiving a diagnosis as an adult; and the revealed truth to be gained from reading Emily Post.

Read it here: Personal History: Parallel Play

In addition, before the article came out, he was interviewed about it, and his life, on NPR's All Things Considered, which you can listen to here: Pulitzer-Winner on Living with Asperger's.

At Home in the Land of Oz:

Autism, My Sister, and Me.

Anne Barnhill, a LOCAL AUTHOR , has written this endearing memoir about her experience growing up in the 1950s and 60s with a disabled sibling. Her sister Becky was not formally diagnosed with autism until the age of 37, but rather spent most of her life labeled "emotionally disturbed." Anne's parents struggled to find a proper educational and residential setting for Becky at a time in history when institutionalization was the norm. Her parents' relentless searching and determination to find services for Becky never end even through mental, physical and emotional exhaustion. Anne also candidly talks about the full range of emotions she felt for her sister growing up and the ever increasing responsibility she now has as her parents grow older.

I fell in love with Anne's writing and her family when I reviewed this book in June, but recently I was reminded of it again when I saw a segment on CNN about Jeff Daly and his struggle to find his sister Molly who was institutionalized in 1957 at the age of 3. His heartbreaking story turns around when he not only reunites with his sister after almost 50 years, but also since he has now vowed to help other siblings and family members find their lost loved ones as well. Heed my warning: if you watch the CNN video clip of his family's story above- get Kleenex! Visit theARClink.org or the National FindFamily Registry For People with Disabilities for more information about this resource.

I was struck by the similarities in the two families. Each struggled with the same decisions for their loved ones but because of various resources, guidance from "experts", and the restraints of societal norms each family took different paths that resulted in positive and negative consequences.

Anne's history will ring true for many other siblings who endured the same past and gives hope to those of us who can see how her family and the Daly family have helped change the course that families now take when faced with providing what is best for their loved-one with a disability. I highly recommend this special sister's memoir.

ASNC Bookstore Top Ten Bestsellers List for July

July 2007 Top 10 Bestsellers

1. The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome
   
   
2. Tasks Galore
   
   
3. More Than Words: Helping Parents Promote Communication and Social Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
   
   
4. Tasks Galore for the Real World
   
   
5. Skillstreaming In Early Childhood: New Strategies and Perspectives for Teaching Prosocial Skills
   
   
6. TEACCH Structured Teaching Assessment: Guides to Individualizing the Schedule and the Work System
   
   
7. Tasks Galore: Making Groups Meaningful
   
   
8. Asperger's and Girls
   
   
9. Social Skills Training for Children and Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome and Social-Communication Problems
   
   
10. Exploring Feelings: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to Manage Anxiety
    

Please visit our website to read detailed descriptions of these and other popular titles. We are also adding new books weekly, so check out our New Items category to see our latest offerings.

Autism Sibling Issues Hit NPR

Yesterday on NPR's All Things Considered, I heard this powerful story by a girl who has a younger brother on the autism spectrum. She is the oldest of 4 siblings, and she has long been in charge of them when both of their parents have to work, which means a lot of taking care of her brother with autism. In addition, she serves as a translator for her parents for almost all public events, such as school meetings and doctor's appointments, because they do not speak English, and she serves as an ear for their worries about their son's future. She talks about how these burdens effect her, and how she is learning to cope better. I urge everyone with an interest in sibling issues and/or bilingual family issues to listen.

Sibling issues are truly a big topic, and several new resources have come out recently. One, Brotherly Feelings, we've talked about here before, which offers honest views of the emotions experienced from a sibling's point of view.

Another fantastic resource that we just added to the store is the new DVD, Understanding Brothers and Sisters on the Autism Spectrum. This is from the always wonderful and highly recommended Coulter Video series, and offers 4 different explanatory programs for siblings. Program one features puppets and explains autism to siblings who are ages 4 to 7. Program two includes interviews with siblings and additional narration, and is appropriate for siblings ages 7-12. Program three includes sibling interviews as well as narration, and is aimed at siblings age 12 through adulthood. Program four includes interviews with parents of children on the autism spectrum, and is designed specifically for parent viewing.

To see our entire list of sibling-related resources, check out our Sibling Issues page.

TalkAbility

We are very excited to announce that we have finally received our copies of the new Fern Sussman book, TalkAbility: People Skills for Verbal Children on the Autism Spectrum. This book is a fantastic follow up to her exceptionally popular More Than Words: Helping Parents Promote Communication and Social Skills in Children.

TalkAbility focuses primarily on promoting social communication skills in children with ASD who already have verbal skills. Its writing is aimed specifically at parents, though certainly practitioners will find it useful as well, and it contains many concrete examples and practical strategies. Chapters 1-9 focus on parent-child interactions, showing parents in detail how to support and increase their child's communicative efforts and social understanding. Chapters 10-13 focus on peer interactions, with advice on how to prepare the child for a play date, and also how to facilitate a play date most effectively.

One of the things I personally enjoyed about this book was actually a rather minor detail: the accompanying illustrations are extremely multicultural. Though it would have been quite easy for the illustrations to have shown the same family throughout the book, but instead they depict many different families, of many different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. It also shows both moms and dads interacting with their children. A subtle touch, but one that makes the book feel like it really is aimed at everyone.

Needless to say, this book is highly recommended for its ease of use, clear explanations, and practical strategies, as well as its lovely illustrations.

The Bookstore Goes to the ASA in AZ

The Bookstore is going on the road again! This Wednesday through Saturday (7/11-7/14) we will be in Scottsdale, AZ, at the Autism Society of America's 38th National Conference. We will be set up in booths #406/408, pretty much right in the middle, looking at that map, so please stop by and see us!

This will be an exciting year for us at ASA, because two of our favorite authors, ASNC's own Ann Palmer and Maureen Morrell, have won ASA's 2007 Literary Work of the Year award! See our announcement and special discount offer here. Ann and Maureen will be signing their book after the award ceremony on Friday, but if you miss that, they'll be signing again at our booth during the Saturday morning break, 9:30-10am.

Because Darla and I will be in Arizona, Hope will be (wo)manning the physical store, so please be aware that the hours later this week, W-F, will be abbreviated, 9am-1pm.

We hope to see some of you in AZ!

ASNC Bookstore's Top Ten Bestsellers List for June

June 2007 Top 10 Bestsellers

1. Tasks Galore
   
   
2. Tasks Galore: Making Groups Meaningful
   
   
3. ABA Program Companion
   
   
4. Tasks Galore for the Real World
   
   
5. Social Skills Picture Book: Teaching Play, Emotion, and Communication to Children with Autism
   
   
6. Five Is Against the Law: Social Boundaries: Straight Up!
   
   
7. Brotherly Feelings: Me, My Emotions, and My Brother with Asperger's Syndrome
   
   
8. Social Skills Picture Book for High School and Beyond
   
   
9. How To Teach Social Skills and Plan For Peer Social Interactions
   
   
10. KidTalk: Conversation Cards
    

Please visit our website to read detailed descriptions of these and other popular titles. We are also adding new books weekly, so check out our New Items category to see our latest offerings.