The Adolescent and Adult Neuro-Diversity Handbook: Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Related Conditions

by Sarah Hendrickx, Claire Salter

Increasing numbers of adults are realising that they have been living with an undiagnosed developmental condition, yet most information and support focuses on children. This leaves many adults confused and in the dark. The Adolescent and Adult Neuro-Diversity Handbook is a handy first-reference point guide to the full range of developmental conditions as they affect adolescents and adults. Each chapter focuses on a different condition, describing its history, causes and characteristics, its implications for the individual, diagnosis and assessment, treatments and approaches, and strategies for providing support and self-support. A wide range of conditions are covered, including Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD, OCD, Tourette's and Anxiety Disorders. The Adolescent and Adult Neuro-Diversity Handbook is an invaluable resource for health and social care practitioners, as well as for individuals who feel that they may be living with an undiagnosed developmental condition.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Adhd, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Self Help, Health, Education

192 pages, ebook

First published December 15, 2009

About the author

Sarah Hendrickx is an autistic author, speaker and freelance writer. She is author of 8 published books on a variety of subjects - autism, cookery and overseas living. Sarah also writes monthly columns on overseas living for Standard Issue magazine and Mediterranean Gardening and Outdoor Living magazines as well as articles for web and print.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a good and also for a generally positive in outlook introduction to so-called neuro-diversity and in particular one that is not primarily geared towards children up to the age of twelve or so, but rather towards teenagers and adults (and also penned by a compatriot so to speak, written by someone who is also neurologically diverse and thus understands what those of us with dyspraxia, dyscaculia and related conditions often have to deal with on a day to day basis), I do very highly and warmly recommend Sarah Henderickx’ The Adolescent and Adult Neuro-Diversity Handbook: Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Related Conditions.

For not only is this book very well organised and seems academically sound (with a truly wonderful resource section that lists suggestions for further reading according to theme and condition for easy referral and research) Sarah Henderickx has also presented her text in a manner that is not too scientific, not too rife with psychological and medical jargon and is thus approachable for both professionals (teachers, therapists etc.) and for those of us with just a casual interest or if we are actually wondering whether we might ourselves be neurologically diverse. And yes, that the author herself, that Sarah Henderickx is the latter (that she has dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety and a bit of OCD), this has certainly in my opinion made the tone, the general attitude and feel of The Adolescent and Adult Neuro-Diversity Hanbook: Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Related Conditions much more positive, optimistic and accepting than a few other tomes on the subject I have read in the past, where everything is disease and problem oriented and where even if trying, the author or authors do not really understand either how frustrating neurological issues can be or that many of us also do in fact regard our behavioural tics and differences as something that makes us unique and that many of us actually do not want to get rid of our neuro-diversity but simply learn how to deal with this in a productive and less stressful way.

[Bridgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't agree with how everything was worded, but this is a good introduction to a variety of neurological conditions and is generally positive in outlook.

[Mr Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, personal and informative.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the book had some interesting reading on neuro-diversity.

I was interested to see if Dyscalculia would be up there with Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, often it is shunned against the latter two.

However, this is a very good intro into ADHD which was the other thing I wanted to look up.

The book generally has a positive outlook towards these conditions.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who has dyslexia, dyspraxia, ocd and other neuro-diverse conditions. It explains what they are, the known history of them and gives suggestions for people with the condition and employers who have people with the conditions and has someone with the condition explaining their experiences with the conditions.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book about various types of neurodiversity. Some parts were obviously copy-pasted between chapters with poor editing (e.g. it would say 'dysgraphia' when it meant 'dyscalculia') but it didn't really detract from the meaning.

[Heidi Wunder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author!

I am neuroscience and have always struggled. I have read other books by the author and they have given me insight and how to function my life is better for it.

[Carrie Dalby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, easy read. Nothing new to me, and some things need updating to the 2020s, but a good overview/reminder.

[Jessie Adamczyk · Rating 2 out of 5]

too short, seemed rushed.

[Chet Taranowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit outdated, but pretty good. This is a brief outline of several syndromes the author considers on the spectrum of neuro-diversity. This includes autism, but also things like dyslexia and dyspraxia, among other conditions. The book is a good introduction, meant for those who may not have much knowledge about these conditions. One excellent feature of the book is a short essay at the end of each chapter written by a person who describes their condition and how they have adjusted.