Asperger Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal

by Liane Holliday Willey

Book Overview

Liane Holliday Willey and one of her daughters both have Asperger Syndrome. In Asperger Syndrome in the Family she looks, with honesty, wisdom and humor, at the implications this has for her family,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1853028738
• ISBN13: 9781853028731
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Now I'm beginning to understand

It wasn't until I read this book that I finally understood some of what my Asperger's son is going through. Although I have read many clinically oriented books, and I cognitively understood what was going on, it was this book that helped me to emotionally understand him. This book led me to level with his siblings about his problem and add them to his support team rather than leaving them in the wake of his embarassing behavior and telling them to leave him alone. This book spoke very powerfully about needing and giving comfort to those who are scared -- and all of us are scared of something sometime. The author spoke convincingly of comfort packs that a person can take with them if they anticipate stress and need to be calmed. After reading that, I looked quite differently at my teenagers' Walkmans and my Asperger's son's unusual choice of modern equivalents to his old security blanket.This book had a very positive effect on how my family has responded to all of our children, but especially my son with Asperger's.The fact that this book was written by someone with Asperger's has another impact: hope for a supportive and fullfilling adult life for my son. I would recommend this book to someone who is somewhat familier with the disorder. It wouldn't be the first book to read, but maybe the second or third.

Thank You Liane Holliday Willey

I am the "significant other" of a newly diagnosed Aspie. Last week I ended our one year plus relationship because I just couldn't face another day of trying to solve the NT/Aspie puzzle. I was trapped in a vicious cycle of confussion, frustration, anger, resentment and guilt. I searched the Internet endlessly for an answer...what is Asperger's Syndrome? The clinical definitions and observations were useless. I wanted to know why the man I loved chose to repeat previous conversations verbatim, mimic the gestures and actions of others and stand uncomfortably close to complete strangers. This book gave me the answers and it gave me hope. It has become my "owner's guide" or my "operating manual" if you will. Thanks to Liane Holliday Wiley I have found renewed strength to fight for the man I love.

What to do once you know who you are

I recommend this book even if you haven't read Liane Holliday Willey's previous book "Pretending to be Normal". It gives practical suggestions on how to deal with your daily life if you or a family member has Asperger Syndrome. I have used several of the suggestions myself. I believe there is a huge gap in the Asperger community that is starting to correct itself. That is, once you are diagnosed then...what do you do? After the initial relief of having a NAME for your disorder, what's next? I think that this book is another step toward self awareness. I highly recommend adding it to your Asperger library.

Excellent resource!

A great book for anyone associated with family's who live with Asperger Syndrome. Practical ideas are interwoven among interesting stories told from a first person perspective. This author knows how to hold the reader's attention and how to teach without preaching. I highly recommend this book. J.P.