Asperger's From the Inside Out: A Supportive and Practical Guide for Anyone with Asperger's Syndrome

by Michael John Carley, Peter F. Gerhardt Ed.D. (Foreword by)

Overview

An intimate, engaging, and insightful guide to coping with Asperger's-from one of the condition's most passionate advocates.

Michael John Carley was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at thirty-six-when his young son received the same diagnosis. This fascinating book reveals his personal experience with the confusion and trauma associated with this condition-and offers insights into living an independent and productive life.

Now the Executive Director of the world's largest Asperger's oranization, Carley helps readers in such areas as:

- Social interactions
- Nurturing interests
- Whom to confide in-and how
- Dealing with family and loved ones
- Finding work that suits your strengths and talents

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780399533976
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	04/01/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.06(w) x 10.86(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Michael John Carley received his BA from Hampshire College, and his MFA from Columbia. As the founder and executive director of GRASP, the largest organization comprised of adults on the autism spectrum, he has spoken at well over 100 conferences, hospitals, universities, and health care organizations throughout the country. As the executive director of ASTEP, he has spoken at conferences focusing on Human Resources, Corporate Diversity and Inclusion.  

Peter F. Gerhardt, EdD, is the executive director of the EPIC school in New Jersey. For over three decades, Gerhardt has been improving the lives of adults and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. He is the author of Asperger’s From the Inside Out: A Supportive and Practical Guide for Anyone with Asperger’s Syndrome. 

Table of Contents

Foreword   Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D.     xiii
Introduction     1
What Is Asperger's Syndrome?     11
Now I Know: What the Diagnosis Feels Like     30
Long Walks: Looking Back on the Past with a New Perspective     59
Disclosure     132
The Right Toolbox: Coping Strategies     153
Special Interests=Passion (+ Future?)     219
Happiness     227
Appendix     237
Index     243

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Adults with Asperger's Syndrome and others who think they might be Asperger's will greatly benefit from this book." —Temple Grandin, Ph.D., author of Thinking in Pictures and Animals in Translation " Asperger's from the Inside-Out is refreshing, concise, systematic and to the point. It spans the history of ASD diagnosis, the identity crises involved in diagnosis . . . It explores positive versus negative takes on ASD and their consequences, the resonating impact of a diagnosis on other family members but, more so, gives spiritual guidance about more or less healthy ways of managing all these things and the consequences that choices have for each individual. Beautifully alive with quotes from a broad range of voices with ASD, this is a helpful addition to the world of autism-related literature." —Donna Williams, author of Nobody Nowhere and The Jumbled Jigsaw "Michael John Carley is an articulate and passionate advocate for people with Asperger's Syndrome. His engaging book offers a thoughtful and creative roadmap for people with Aspergers and their loved ones." —Mark Roithmayr, President, Autism Speaks "Michael Carley is unique in his ability to combine and integrate his experiences with conclusions and insights that are remarkable and powerful. His unique ability to integrate, conceptualize, compare and contrast at such a high level is what makes his work stand out." —Gary Mesibov, Ph.D., Director, Division TEACCH, Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill "A wonderfully candid and encouraging book about navigating the world of Asperger's Syndrome. I recommend it to everyone, on or off the spectrum, who believes in creating a more tolerant and inclusive society." —Sigourney Weaver, actress "Michael John Carley is not only a successful leader in the AS community, he has proven himself to be a gifted writer. EVERYONE who is involved with the Asperger Syndrome Community, their family, friends, and the professionals who help them MUST read this book!" — Susan J. Moreno, M.A., A.B.S., President, MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome "It's a new day for adults with Asperger's! Michael John Carley offers reflective, penetrating and exquisitely expressed personal descriptions of the inner and outer challenges faced by people with AS. The person with AS will find a family, a community of like-minded individuals and a guide for dealing with a world that is often ill-suited to AS thinking. The rest of us find threads of commonality that indicate, again and again, that there is more that unites, than divides us all." -Veronica Zysk, Author & Managing Editor, Autism Asperger's Digest magazine "For years, Michael John Carley has supported his colleagues on the spectrum through GRASP. With this excellent book, Michael John will now be able to provide much needed support to thousands more. This highly informative book provides tremendous insight on a broad range of topics for those both on the spectrum and for those supporting individuals on the spectrum. This is something that should be read by all. " —Cathy Pratt, Ph.D., Director, Indiana Resource Center for Autism "Michael has written a wonderful book that will serve as an invaluable resource to us all. This must-read provides a perspective that is essential." -Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D., University of Kansas "This book fills a special niche for individuals on the spectrum and others as well. It addresses many topics important to those on the spectrum and in a way that helps with the struggle of what such a diagnosis means. This book is a fantastic resource for recently diagnosed adolescents and adults, as well as for family members and professionals." —Lynda Geller, Ph.D., Clinical Director, Asperger Institute, New York University Child Study Center "Well-written, positive, yet never preachy, this practical book realistically describes what if feels like to be an adult with AS. It is highly recommended not only to adults on the spectrum and their family members, but to anyone who works with people on the spectrum. Neurotypical or Aspie, there is much to learn in these pages." —Chantal Sicile-Kira, author of Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum and Autism Spectrum Disorders