School Success for Kids with Asperger's Syndrome by Stephan M. Silverman, Rich Weinfeld

From the Publisher

Hundreds of thousands of children face the difficulties of life with Asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism spectrum disorder that affects a child's language and social skills. Although they possess average to above-average intelligence, kids with Asperger's often have obsessive interests, are socially awkward, and do not understand the subtleties of language and conversation. However, with proper diagnosis and concentrated effort on the part of parents and educators, children can begin to overcome the difficulties of this disorder and find success in school and life. Children with Asperger's syndrome need to be given the tools they need to recognize and develop their strengths and overcome their weaknesses. The authors cover such topics as recognizing and diagnosing Asperger's syndrome, addressing the needs of students with Asperger's, implementing practices in the classroom to help students succeed, working with the child's school system, and providing interventions in the home to help develop needed skills. The authors, leaders in the field of special education, combine the strategies they've used in working with this population, checklists, practical tools, and advice with case studies of students who have Asperger's to give these students, their parents, and teachers hope and guidance to ensure school success.

VOYA

This book seeks to provide "practical strategies that can be used by parents and classroom teachers" when working with students who have been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (AS). Written by a psychologist and an educator with experience in the field, the book contains ten chapters of advice for educational intervention along with research findings on how people with AS process information. Six appendixes and an extensive reference section provide readers with avenues for further research and support. The authors compress a surprising amount of information into a relatively small book. Clear guidelines for intervention include straightforward subdivisions that allow for easy browsing. Some points may seem repetitive, but it should not be an issue if readers use the book for reference instead of cover-to-cover reading. The strongest chapter is "Strategies and Interventions That Work in the Classroom," which explains in concrete terms specific techniques that can help alleviate the stress of AS in school. Sections that address the scientific background of the AS diagnosis are less compelling. The authors competently present the research, yet the book dwells perhaps too much on scientific studies in lieu of practical information. In "Recognizing and Diagnosing AS," for example, the chapter largely functions as a review of scientific literature (even though it does contain a handy multi-page chart of AS "soft signs" and characteristics). It is, however, a minor quibble. Overall, the book provides valuable AS assistance for parents and educators. Reviewer: Christina Fairman

Elizabeth Safford - Library Journal

Children with Asperger's syndrome (AS) present a dilemma to parents and educators: although usually average to above average in intelligence, they may experience complications that not only make school difficult but also affect their success later in life. Silverman, a liaison psychologist to schools focused on AS, and Weinfeld, an educational advocate and coauthor of Helping Boys Succeed in School and Smart Kids with Learning Difficulties, have written a useful guide for easing the school experience. They describe the book's first half as a general survey of AS, although the breadth of information goes well beyond a cursory explanation, with coverage of how AS might appear to a parent, genetic possibilities, neurological "soft signs," and precautions in assessment. The second half focuses on practical strategies to try in the classroom. The appendixes-including a checklist of classroom issues, an intervention plan, a quick reference to problem areas and interventions, program options, and advice for dealing with AS and ADHD-will be appreciated by those short on time. Recommended for public and academic libraries with autism collections.

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