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Martian in the Playground: Understanding the Schoolchild with Asperger′s Syndrome
This award winning book illuminates what it means to be a person who has Asperger′s Syndrome by providing a window into a unique and particular world. Drawing on her own experience of schooling, and that of a network of friends and correspondents who share her way of thinking and responding, Clare Sainsbury reminds us of the potential for harm which education holds for those who do not fit. This book holds insights that take us beyond the standard guidance on how to manage autistic spectrum disorder.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 16, 2016
What I liked about the book was all the quotes from autistic folks, and that it was written by an autistic person. It's rare to find books about autism that include autistic voices, and this is the first I read, and I remember the experience of reading it more than the book itself so I can't give it a proper review, except to say, I needed to read it and I'm glad I found it when I did. This is the kind of book where I stopped to type long passages into my laptop so I would always have them.
This is one that really stuck with me, because it resonated so much.
“I don’t understand the children around me. They frighten and confuse me. They don’t want to talk about things that are interesting. I used to think that they were silly, but now I am beginning to understand that I am the one who is all wrong. I try so hard to do what I’m told, but just when I think I am being most helpful and good, the teachers tell me off and I don’t know why. It’s as if everybody is playing some complicated game and I am the only one who hasn’t been told the rules. But no one will admit that it’s a game or that there are rules, let alone explain them to me. Maybe it’s all a joke being played on me; I know about ‘jokes’. I would be happy if they left me alone to think my thoughts, but they won’t. I think that I might be an alien who has been put on this planet by mistake; I hope that this is so, because this means that there might be other people out there in the universe like me. I dream that one day, a spaceship will fall from the sky onto the tarmac in front of me and the people who step out of the spaceship will tell me, ‘It’s all been a dreadful mistake. You were never meant to be here. We are your people and now we’ve come to take you home.’” P. 25-26
This is one that really stuck with me, because it resonated so much.
“I don’t understand the children around me. They frighten and confuse me. They don’t want to talk about things that are interesting. I used to think that they were silly, but now I am beginning to understand that I am the one who is all wrong. I try so hard to do what I’m told, but just when I think I am being most helpful and good, the teachers tell me off and I don’t know why. It’s as if everybody is playing some complicated game and I am the only one who hasn’t been told the rules. But no one will admit that it’s a game or that there are rules, let alone explain them to me. Maybe it’s all a joke being played on me; I know about ‘jokes’. I would be happy if they left me alone to think my thoughts, but they won’t. I think that I might be an alien who has been put on this planet by mistake; I hope that this is so, because this means that there might be other people out there in the universe like me. I dream that one day, a spaceship will fall from the sky onto the tarmac in front of me and the people who step out of the spaceship will tell me, ‘It’s all been a dreadful mistake. You were never meant to be here. We are your people and now we’ve come to take you home.’” P. 25-26
July 15, 2021
Written by someone with Asperger’s, with many other accounts and quotes from those with AS regarding their school lives. This was a valuable read, with many good reminders.
It'd be especially helpful to those (and their families) with a recent diagnosis.
It'd be especially helpful to those (and their families) with a recent diagnosis.
May 11, 2023
Uses some outdated language, including the term Asperger's syndrome itself, but otherwise this is a very good book written from the perspective of autistic people (including the author) themselves about their own experiences in school.
November 18, 2020
Read as a parent of a child in year 1 (age 5-6) it was an interesting read! Lots of things to be aware of now and in the coming years.
April 10, 2024
Esaustivo e completo. Affronta le problematiche e le potenzialità degli Asperger, mettendo a confronto il nostro ed loro punto di vista affinché possano confluire in un'unica realtà
February 15, 2010
This is one of SO many books I wish I'd had--or that those around me had had--when I was a child. I am not sure yet if it would have helped or changed anything, but it certainly would have made me feel less alone and less like everything was my fault. I like to think it would have given ideas to the adults around me on ways to TRY to help.
August 11, 2015
Very convenient book, explained nice and plain, exactly what you'd want and expect from it.
December 31, 2014
Every teacher should read this book!
June 8, 2016
A very interesting book about life having Aspergers at school from a number of perspectives. Well worth a read for all. A fantastic insight.
December 27, 2019
3,5*
Vooral de getuigenissen vond ik interessant en de tips voor leerkrachten/ professionelen.
Vooral de getuigenissen vond ik interessant en de tips voor leerkrachten/ professionelen.
May 1, 2017
A book that is very useful and gives important insights in people in the autism spectrum can feel at school and the many challenges school comes with. All the quotes from people on the autistic spectrum were really valuable and useful to refer to in the future.
What I found most astonishing is that the current policy's direction to fit many autistic children in the regular education system is intended to let these kids acquire social skills. If there is ONE thing children with autism do not like or understand about school, it is the social aspect. So rather placing autistic children in a regular school, will most likely have a rather negative effect on their learning progress AND their social skills. This policy can only be successful if all teaching staff is willing to spend much time to accommodate and listen to the kids individual needs, which is clearly not the case right now. Furthermore, all classmates should be told about autism and teasing or bullying be eradicated consequently.
What I found most astonishing is that the current policy's direction to fit many autistic children in the regular education system is intended to let these kids acquire social skills. If there is ONE thing children with autism do not like or understand about school, it is the social aspect. So rather placing autistic children in a regular school, will most likely have a rather negative effect on their learning progress AND their social skills. This policy can only be successful if all teaching staff is willing to spend much time to accommodate and listen to the kids individual needs, which is clearly not the case right now. Furthermore, all classmates should be told about autism and teasing or bullying be eradicated consequently.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews