Succeeding in College with Asperger Syndrome: A student guide

by Michael Fitzgerald, John Harpur, Maria Lawlor

Overview

College life is particularly stressful for students with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and the resources that colleges provide for such students are often inadequate. This much needed guide provides information to help these students prepare successfully for the rites and rituals of studying, interact with staff and fellow students, cope with expectations and pressures, and understand their academic and domestic responsibilities. How will I cope with the workload? What do I do if I feel ill? How do I make friends and initiate relationships with the opposite sex? Drawing on first hand interviews with AS students and direct clinical experience, the authors address these and many other questions thoughtfully and thoroughly, making practical recommendations.

Succeeding in College with Asperger Syndrome demystifies the range of college experiences for students with AS. It is a must for these students, their parents and counsellors alike, providing benefits that will continue throughout the college years and beyond.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781843102014
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	12/15/2003
Edition description:	Student
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.06(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.51(d)

About the Author

John Harpur was a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. His research included a multidisciplinary project on Emotional Intelligence and Asperger Syndrome. Maria Lawlor is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Child and Family Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Drogheda, and lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College, Dublin. Michael Fitzgerald is the Henry Marsh Professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Child and Family Centre at Trinity College, Dublin.

Table of Contents

Introduction. Acknowledgements. 1. Preparing for College: A Brief Preamble. 2. Welcome to the Rest of Your Life. 3. The College Environment for the Asperger Student. 4. Attending to Academic Demands with AS. 5. Working with Student Support Services. 6. Communication: Getting Along with Others. 7. Interacting with the Opposite Sex: Sex and Sexuality. 8. Managing Anxiety and Stress. 9. Establishing an AS Support Group. 10. Inspirational Thinkers and Scientists. 11. Life After College. Appendices. References. Index.

Editorial Reviews

This text presents a very detailed guide for students to use as a resource while they attend college. The chapters are complete and cover topics that are useful and of interest to all young adults as they transition from the safety of their supportive home and school environment to the unfamiliar independence and responsibilities that are the expectations for a successful college life.

Education Review

This text presents a very detailed guide for students to use as a resource while they attend college. The chapters are complete and cover topics that are useful and of interest to all young adults as they transition from the safety of their supportive home and school environment to the unfamiliar independence and responsibilities that are the expectations for a successful college life... this text has much to offer in terms of useful information for post secondary students with Aspergers Syndrome.

Education Book Reviews

Students with Asperger Syndrome need an environment which is encouraging if they are to succeed. This book is immensely important for students and for the staff who are trying to make college an enjoyable and productive experience.

Paul Shattock OBE

This is an extremely valuable guide for the AS individual embarking on a college journey.

Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities

‘This guide provides information to help these students prepare successfully for the rites and rituals of studying, interact with staff and fellow students, cope with expectations and pressures, and understand their domestic and academic responsibilities.' - Autism us

'The book has a logical progression as it begins with a brief description about preparing for college, and then follows through to discuss what to expect from a college/university environment, including chapters on academic demands, communication and socialising with others, sex and sexuality, and managing stress and anxiety levels. The authors have a thorough understanding of Asperger syndrome, and every subject they tackle is explained clearly and honestly.'

Communication

Given the paucity of literature about adults in college and in particular that written for those with Asperger syndrome (AS), this is a welcome addition to the already extensive Jessica Kingsley library. It has been written in a very informal, almost chatty, style for those who intend to start college in the near future and everyone (family and professionals) who will be helping these students along the way. The book is brimming over with ideas and suggestions for students, but many of its chapters would also be useful for those working with individuals with AS no matter what their age.

Good Autism Practice

The authors of Succeeding in College with Asperger's Syndrome have written a timely student guide that will probably become the book of first choice for students, their parents, clinicians and college staff. The distinguished authors use their extensive experiences of supporting undergraduate students with Asperger's syndrome and write in the style of an encouraging, wise and humorous college professor talking to the reader.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health