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All Cats Are on the Autism Spectrum: An affirming introduction to autism
All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome takes a playful look at Asperger Syndrome (AS), drawing inspiration from the feline world in a way that will strike a chord with all those who are familiar with AS. Touching, humorous and insightful, this book evokes the difficulties and joys of raising a child who is different and leaves the reader with a sense of the dignity, individuality, and potential of people with AS.
This engaging book is an ideal, gentle introduction to the world of AS.
Delightful colour photographs of cats bring to life familiar characteristics such as, for example, sensitive hearing.
This engaging book is an ideal, gentle introduction to the world of AS.
Delightful colour photographs of cats bring to life familiar characteristics such as, for example, sensitive hearing.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2006
29 people are currently reading
4162 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 451 reviews
May 14, 2009
Okay, I did not know what to make of this book when I saw it on the table at a recent book sale, but cat lover that I am, how could I pass it up for 50 cents?
The book is just 65 pages, but not only does the book have great photos of kittens on every page but there is something to be learned by each photo and how the various cat photos relates to Asperger's Syndrome. The book begins by showing a sleeping kitty and telling how the first signs of Aspergers are usually picked up very young.
The photographs go on to show how an Asperger child looks at the world in a unique way. Another photo shows a kitty alone, and states that although "he likes to be near those he loves, he doesn't want them to hold him, preferring squishy places to a hug". Another photo demostrates a scared kitty and states , "An Asperger child often has exceptionally good hearing, and loud sounds and sudden movements may scare him".
All in all this book is pretty amazing in the way it explains Aspergers in simple terms, and using large letters to explain each kitten photo in terms of children with Aspergers. By using these adorable photos to explain how cats can be very quirky, aloof and creatures of routine, and that their behaviors, at times, can be somewhat similar to children with Aspergers.
This book would be a good teaching resource for siblings, therapists and teachers. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The book is just 65 pages, but not only does the book have great photos of kittens on every page but there is something to be learned by each photo and how the various cat photos relates to Asperger's Syndrome. The book begins by showing a sleeping kitty and telling how the first signs of Aspergers are usually picked up very young.
The photographs go on to show how an Asperger child looks at the world in a unique way. Another photo shows a kitty alone, and states that although "he likes to be near those he loves, he doesn't want them to hold him, preferring squishy places to a hug". Another photo demostrates a scared kitty and states , "An Asperger child often has exceptionally good hearing, and loud sounds and sudden movements may scare him".
All in all this book is pretty amazing in the way it explains Aspergers in simple terms, and using large letters to explain each kitten photo in terms of children with Aspergers. By using these adorable photos to explain how cats can be very quirky, aloof and creatures of routine, and that their behaviors, at times, can be somewhat similar to children with Aspergers.
This book would be a good teaching resource for siblings, therapists and teachers. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
January 9, 2011
I have said this for years: this book, beautifully illustrated, managed in few pages and simple text to make me laugh, stir up memories, make me nod in recognition and even choke up. It catches the full range of asperger "flavor"-sweet, smart, funny, unique, and, sometimes, painfully poignant.
February 19, 2023
I almost didn't borrow this book as I wasn't too sure based on the title. I was afraid that the author might be trivializing the challenges of living with autism. However, this turned out to be a wonderfully positive book with gorgeous cat pictures! I came away with a new appreciation and perspective on the subject.
November 30, 2010
Oh yes. Cats have many of the traits of Asperger Sydrome children, though I don't agree with some of her comparisons. For example, Hoopmann says, "He likes to be near those he loves, but doesn't want them to hold him,..." Well, some cats are like that, but others stick to you like velcro and enjoy being held. On the other hand, the part about "When people talk to him he may refuse to look at them" is dead on. My cats do that if I'm yelling at them or asking who knocked this or that over--suddenly every one of them has something else very interesting to look at. All in all, this is a very simple, clear explanation of what it is like to have Asperger Syndrome, with some darn cute pictures in the bargain. Recommended!!
November 24, 2013
A nice book, a very cute and warm way to look at Aspergers.
My main complaint is that it doesn't take into account differences between different individuals with Aspergers. It over generalizes. For instance it states he doesn't want loved ones to hold him. That may be true for some individuals, but their are many children with AS who really really love to be held, who are actually clingier than most children.
It also states that the first signs of Aspergers are detected when the person is very young. I only partly agree, because while those signs might exist at an early age, they are often not recognized! There are many people who only discover their AS as adults.
Despite such criticisms, I did enjoy this book.
My main complaint is that it doesn't take into account differences between different individuals with Aspergers. It over generalizes. For instance it states he doesn't want loved ones to hold him. That may be true for some individuals, but their are many children with AS who really really love to be held, who are actually clingier than most children.
It also states that the first signs of Aspergers are detected when the person is very young. I only partly agree, because while those signs might exist at an early age, they are often not recognized! There are many people who only discover their AS as adults.
Despite such criticisms, I did enjoy this book.
November 11, 2021
I was very surprised that this is a children's book, due to some of the negative remarks directed toward aspie kids. I got this because my 8 year old girl with high functioning autism (perviously called Asperger's) loves animals and I thought it would be perfect to read together because we don't keep her diagnosis a secret. I am so thankful I read through this first. I would never ever want my child to feel like she is "boring me silly" when she talks about subjects she loves (page 34), that I "cringe with embarrassment" when she is blunt (page 46) or that she won't fit in or be bullied when she tries to make friends (pages 15-18). I get this book, I understand the author is trying to educate in a cute way but our aspie kids take everything seriously and often do not know their endless stories are not everyone's cup of tea, or that some things that they say are outside of social norms. I would never read this to an aspie kid. I wouldn't want to have to answer the questions that would come with it or cause any self doubt in their self worth. Most of the book celebrates the uniqueness that comes with being a child with autism but those examples above need to be removed from the pages.
April 13, 2011
My daughter has Aspergers and loves this book, as does her little sister. It is very sweet and discribes her perfectly in a lovely and kind way. It is nice for her to have a book that she can show to other kids, or relatives to let them know "who" she is to maybe let them understand her a bit better, as often they do not - especially family. The pictures in this book are amazing, all kittens doing funny things. Well worth getting if someone in your life has Aspergers - as my daughter would say - two thumbs and two big toes up from our family!
August 4, 2020
Adorable! The kitten pictures are beyond sweet and funny. It does prove that cats have Asperger's, and so does my husband LOL.
Beyond the entertaining value, as previous GR members have pointed out, the book can assist parents and, possibly teachers, of children on the Spectrum. Besides helping parents, I believe it can help the children themselves understand that we are all different, which is really a great thing.
Beyond the entertaining value, as previous GR members have pointed out, the book can assist parents and, possibly teachers, of children on the Spectrum. Besides helping parents, I believe it can help the children themselves understand that we are all different, which is really a great thing.
April 28, 2010
appropriate for adults with Asperger's as well as children. It does seem true that Aspies do prefer cats to dogs because cats aren't "in your face".Well done and surprisingly comprehensive. My husband was willing to read it, and had a revelation about himself. This after 38 years of marriage...
July 3, 2025
Estive procurando livros sobre o autismo e olha a belezinha que encontrei, ótimo para as crianças tanto no espectro para se identificarem com os gatinhos, quanto neurotipicas para aceitar e aprender sobre as diferenças.
May 24, 2013
4 stars and not 5 because I feel that the book would have benefited from foreword.
You can look at beautiful cats' pictures and at the same time learn about Asperger Syndrome! Genius!
Here is a link to YouTube video, the author has kept the text from the book but replaced photos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UNXM...
You can look at beautiful cats' pictures and at the same time learn about Asperger Syndrome! Genius!
Here is a link to YouTube video, the author has kept the text from the book but replaced photos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UNXM...
October 7, 2019
4.5 stars. Highly recommended to families, classrooms, parents who are considering looking for a diagnosis... and ppl who like pictures of cute cats.
June 6, 2013
As I laid out in my review of All Dogs Have ADHD, this book fell short of what the descriptions and reviews seemed to imply. Rather than a fun little LOLcats parody that plays up their sometimes mystifying and simultaneously adorable behaviors to make Asperger Syndrome easier for people to relate to, it was simply generalized, humorless descriptions of symptoms set to generic stock images of cats. In other words, nothing special and thus an unfortunate disappointment.
September 21, 2008
A new way to look at those with Asperger syndrome. Thanks, Kitty.
July 16, 2024
Najlepsze, co w tym roku kupiłam :))
July 14, 2012
I absolutely love this book and bought it for my kids that I shall have someday. My husband has AS, and he loved this book as well. It's very sensitive, and shows things in a positive, and easily understandable, way. Wish more books about autism and AS were like this.
February 24, 2012
This is a fabulous concept for a book, and in execution it's cute a lot of the time. Maybe even most of the time. But some of the humor comes off as trying a little bit too hard, stretching a little too much. The text could stand to be a little less clinical and a little more whimsical (to match the kitty-cat theme) and, if handled skillfully, would not lose any of its truthfulness... and would actually wind up being much more memorable.
It's not a bad book, but I was disappointed. In the age of LOLcats, it doesn't hold up very well for me.
It's not a bad book, but I was disappointed. In the age of LOLcats, it doesn't hold up very well for me.
November 7, 2019
3.5 stars
A nice short book with beautiful pictures, teaching about Asperger's Syndrome. Yes it overgeneralises but so do most books that want to keep it simple. But just as cats can be(have) very differently so do people and so do people with Asperger's Syndrome. As a first and simple introduction I think it does a wonderful job.
A nice short book with beautiful pictures, teaching about Asperger's Syndrome. Yes it overgeneralises but so do most books that want to keep it simple. But just as cats can be(have) very differently so do people and so do people with Asperger's Syndrome. As a first and simple introduction I think it does a wonderful job.
December 29, 2014
I felt so lucky to find this at my local library. It is not a novelty book as I thought it might be, and it isn't strictly a children's book either. The text is simple but doesn't talk down to older readers; it just explains Asperger's Syndrome in a very easy-to-understand way. Since everyone is going to come across people with AS, in the interest of deepening understanding and compassion, I truly think it would benefit everyone to read it. And who can resist the adorable pictures of kitties! (Ok, who but Shauna? ;) )
Many of us understand that cats are really picky, persnickety creatures, but we love them anyway. They push us away when we want to snuggle. They can get obsessed with a certain toy or blanket. They don't reciprocate love in the same way we give it. They are just...different. It was a stroke of genius for Kathy Hoopman to compare cats to folks with AS since both can sometimes be difficult to decipher--but should be easy to love when we appreciate them for their unique strengths and world views.
As with any diagnosis, there is a broad range of traits, so some will ring true and others not to each reader. But the things that were true in my experience were so spot on, and married to some really tender pictures, that I shouldn't have been surprised when I felt my eyes spring a leak once or twice.
I have now written probably more words than the book contains, so if you have got this far, for heaven's sake, go get a copy! It is really quick to read, and you'll be glad you did.
Many of us understand that cats are really picky, persnickety creatures, but we love them anyway. They push us away when we want to snuggle. They can get obsessed with a certain toy or blanket. They don't reciprocate love in the same way we give it. They are just...different. It was a stroke of genius for Kathy Hoopman to compare cats to folks with AS since both can sometimes be difficult to decipher--but should be easy to love when we appreciate them for their unique strengths and world views.
As with any diagnosis, there is a broad range of traits, so some will ring true and others not to each reader. But the things that were true in my experience were so spot on, and married to some really tender pictures, that I shouldn't have been surprised when I felt my eyes spring a leak once or twice.
I have now written probably more words than the book contains, so if you have got this far, for heaven's sake, go get a copy! It is really quick to read, and you'll be glad you did.
June 15, 2010
Warm, comforting, very quick read introducing children and their parents to Asperger's Syndrome. Nice photos of cute cats on each page if you're a cat lover. My only quarrel with the book is that it uses male pronouns exclusively as if they were gender-neutral or sexist language were acceptable. Neither is true, and especially when writing for young people, we should be careful not to inadvertently send subtle sexist messages; male pronouns apply only to males--not to everyone. Using plural pronouns with single subjects in order to avoid sexist language is entirely appropriate, although even that is usually avoidable by simply changing the subject from singular to plural, or even switching off between male and female pronouns. Were it not for this problem, I'd give the book a 5.
June 8, 2010
I just read this book for the second time. As a cat lover and a person who works with individuals with intellectual disabilties I find it funny and fascinating. The photos are delightful and the insights are spot on. It is a wonderful introduction to a little understoood syndrome. This book should be in every school's library.
July 3, 2010
This was a cute book. It's definitely geared toward the 6-10 year old range, but my 14 year old and I still got a laugh out of it. The comedy of the pictures alleviates some of the strain/embarrassment of talking about how true some of the characteristics of Asperger's are for him.
May 29, 2019
Nope. This was so uncomfortable to read. Autistic / ASD children and adults deserve so much better.
December 27, 2018
Here's a delightful book explaining the traits of Asperger's Syndrome, with short, simple text over illustrative and cute pics of kittens and cats. It's obviously aimed at children but it wouldn't be a bad first place to start learning as an adult and it only takes a few minutes to read cover to cover. The idea probably came from the quote "Cats are autistic dogs," which is quite apt...
Quibbles:
1. The convention is "Asperger's Syndrome," not "Asperger Syndrome."
2. A small number of the traits mentioned do not apply to all but the phrasing suggests they do.
3. The gendered language, "His..." throughout is frustrating because Aspergirls exist and this could give the impression that they don't. It's avoidable just by rephrasing to refer to plural Aspies.
Quibbles:
1. The convention is "Asperger's Syndrome," not "Asperger Syndrome."
2. A small number of the traits mentioned do not apply to all but the phrasing suggests they do.
3. The gendered language, "His..." throughout is frustrating because Aspergirls exist and this could give the impression that they don't. It's avoidable just by rephrasing to refer to plural Aspies.
October 7, 2012
This book is a nice hardcover book with shiny pages. It will be a nice coffee table book. I read it aloud to my son, who has Aspergers, & husband. We laughed. It does an excellent job of explaining Aspergers.
The author also has a book named All Dogs Have ADHD. Sounds good to me. Aren't dogs excitable & easily distracted?
The author also has a book named All Dogs Have ADHD. Sounds good to me. Aren't dogs excitable & easily distracted?
January 8, 2023
This book demistifies the autism spectrum in a lighthearted, warm and comfortable way. Wisely updated and beautifully illustrated with appropriate cat photographs.
February 18, 2018
Meh. Good try but nothing spectacular. I wanted it to be funnier. It was relatable to some extent but I also read the All Dogs Have ADHD and it was virtually the same book. There were even some lines that were the same. This book had the potential for so much more. It could have been a bridge for conversation about the disorder in a more lighthearted way. Instead it was kind of that but more generic than I would have liked. It was more like a list of symptoms with some stock photos and like I said some of the wording was even the same as in the other book.
(*this is pretty much the same review I wrote for All Dogs Have ADHD because in my eyes they seem like basically the same book)
(*this is pretty much the same review I wrote for All Dogs Have ADHD because in my eyes they seem like basically the same book)
February 11, 2010
This book was great to read with my sons to help them understand what this Asperger's stuff that we keep talking about is. The pictures of the cats really helped to illustrate the different ways that Asperger's may be manifested. It was good for my oldest son who has been diagnosed with Asperger's understand himself better and for my youngest to understand his brother better. It was a great discussion book for the family. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a quick look at Asperger's Syndrome or has a child with Asperger's.
May 31, 2019
A fun book to explain Asperger's Syndrome using pictures of cats gathered from the internet.
It explains the nuances of the disorder, how the child feels and how the child can use these personality traits to reach great heights and succeed in life. It also describes how parents can nurture the child.
A good book for giving parents hope that their child is not a lost cause and explaining it to siblings. I will be sending this to my dad so he can finally make the connection between my childhood traits and my diagnosis.
It explains the nuances of the disorder, how the child feels and how the child can use these personality traits to reach great heights and succeed in life. It also describes how parents can nurture the child.
A good book for giving parents hope that their child is not a lost cause and explaining it to siblings. I will be sending this to my dad so he can finally make the connection between my childhood traits and my diagnosis.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 451 reviews