Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence. Helping Preteens & Teens Get Ready for the Real World

Editorial Review
Sex. Slang. Slumber parties. The preoccupations of adolescents with Asperger Syndrome are no different than those of other teens, but they can be much more confusing. The lack of social skills and ability to grasp conversational nuances that characterize AS make adolescence the most difficult life stage.

Why can I swear in front of my friends, but not in front of the teacher?
Why do I have to pay attention when Im not interested in what my friend is saying?
What does it mean to go out with somebody?

Asperger Syndrome is characterized by a reliance on clear guidelines, and in adolescence the social guidelines become murky and confusing. In Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence, child psychologist Teresa Bolick presents strategies for helping the ten to eighteen-year-old achieve happiness and success by maximizing the benefits of AS and minimizing the drawbacks.

Youll Learn:
-How to work with the school to help the AS child learn and succeed.
-Strategies for turning common AS traits like preoccupations and routines into positive strengths.
-How to help the AS teen learn to manage unforeseen glitches with grace.
-The best ways to talk to your teen about friendship, love, romance, and sex.

Customer Reviews

So Helpful

2008-05-09
As the parent of an adolescent child with Asperger's, I found this book to be just what was needed -- a no nonsense approach to helping our kids with a sense of humor. This is the second book by this author that I have purchased. I will purchase more, I am sure.

Insightful, Useful, and Enlightening

2008-04-15
This book is one of the best I've seen about the transitional issues that arise when someone with Aspergers reaches their teens. With my son, we find each developmental step has its own challenges, but the movement into middle school, with the increased expectations of self-management and the early teen student issues among peers has been a bigger challenge than most. This book helped me frame these issues as they apply to my son, improving my understanding. Then I could apply many of the ideas provided both directly and through the school. My biggest problem is that this is such a slow read ... not because it is hard to read (to the contrary, its very understandable and straightforward.) Its a "slow go" because of all of the underlining and page marking I am doing to track the "good stuff." Dr Bolick has done those of use living in these situation a major service with this work! I fully recommend it.

Extremely Helpful Resource!

2007-05-07
I haven't finished reading this book, but so far what I've read completely fits. My AS teen needs all the help he can get with organization, social skills, etc. This book gives real life examples and excerps from real parents and adolescents with AS. This book is helping me to better understand my child and to help him develop strategies and coping mechanisms so he can have a successful life. Definitely a good addition to my AS library!

Excellent - Must Have !

2007-04-10
More and more books are addressing the problems ASD kids encounter in their latter years . Teresa Bolick has written a well thought out and structured book that answers many of the concerns that parents and teachers have. Would you need another book dealing with this area ? I would say...yes. It is such an important time in these kids lives that a comprehensive knowledge is needed by all those that care for these yound adults.

reviewed by Special Education Teacher and father of ASD child.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!

2007-03-25
I have a son with Aspergers. This book is a great help!

Asgerger Syndrome And Adolescence

2007-01-10
Sex. Slang. Slumber parties. The preoccupations of adolescents with Asperger Syndrome are no different than those of other teens, but they can be much more confusing. The lack of social skills and ability to grasp conversational nuances that characterize AS make adolescence the most difficult life stage.

Why can I swear in front of my friends, but not in front of the teacher?
Why do I have to pay attention when Im not interested in what my friend is saying?
What does it mean to go out with somebody?

Along the way, youll be inspired by success stories of dozens of AS teens. With the help of this book, youll learn that it is possible for an adolescent with Asperger Syndrome to achieve unimaginable success.

Great Hands-On Help for Parents, etc. 2007-01-03
I found this book to be excellent in helping parents, teachers, and other interested individuals to help with the issues facing us as we raise kids who are on the high-functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome spectrum. The ideas are easy to impliment and suggest things that would be useful for any parent or teacher of ALL children!

Good book for parents 2006-04-08
A good book for parents. In the social skills intervention we developed, I recommend a range of books for parents based on their accessibility and general sensitivity to parents needs. This book is one of the ones in that basket - there aren't many. I would also recommend reading Succeeding with Interventions for Asperger Syndrome Adolescents.

Very helpful and informative! 2006-03-25
This book is practical and helpful. I have learned more about the areas I need to be targeting with my son. It has also increased my awareness of more of the things my son faces on a daily basis and how to approach them better.
The Author gives specific ideas of ways to prepare your child for their future and how to get on the same page with them so you are a team and not another problem in you child's life.

The practical advise she gives is great! I love the lists and ideas she shares that I can use to brain storm with which really helps me to get the ball going.

Through my sons diagnosis we found out my husband has AS. This book has helped him tremendously understand why some things were/are so difficult for him, like social rules (ex: elbows on the table- the why of it). This book has helped him understand himself and be able to see what is happening in himself better.

I would recommend this book for parents, staff that work with AS and for adults with AS. It is a fast read and very beneficial. I think I am going to have my child read it as well.

very complete reference 2006-02-27
Offers a good background of asperger response to the real world and also gives a number of suggestions on how to support the person and or make their world more liveable. The suggestions are able to be done by family and school. Most of them do not require any special techniques or equipment, just an understanding of AS and the people if affects.