Asperger Syndrome in Adults

by Ruth Searle, Oliver Rixon

Increasing numbers of adults are being diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, while children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders - an estimated 300,000 in the UK - are growing up. Until recently, most information has been aimed at children with the condition, or parents. Asperger syndrome (AS) in adulthood brings different challenges, and, crucially, there are far fewer resources. According to I Exist, the National Society for Autism's report on how the needs of autistic adults are ignored, 45% of councils have no process for managing how autistic adults receive support if they don't fulfil the criteria for either learning disability or mental health services. As a result, adults are left to cope alone - and often don't cope well, with depression and other mental health problems as the result. Conversely, some adults with Asperger syndrome have learned to cover up their problems, so signs of the condition will often be quite subtle. This book addresses issues faced by adults with Asperger syndrome, and looks at the potential of adults with Asperger syndrome, exploring how they may contribute on their own terms. Topics what does it feel like to have AS? Asperger disorder or difference? social relationships, including social strengths such as loyalty and patience; sensory overload and coping with the external environment; Asperger in love - finding and maintaining an intimate relationship; if your partner has Asperger syndrome; employment; help and advice

Genres: Psychology, Health

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 20, 2010

About the author

Ruth Searle is one of those archetypal creative types. If she’s not writing, she’s covered in paint in her art studio.

Her writing now focuses on intensely emotional psychological thrillers and there's no shortage of gruesome murders, grisly medical scenes and plots with lots of twists and turns.

Ruth's debut thriller, NO PLACE TO HIDE is the first in a series of fast-paced, emotional thrillers featuring surgeon, Daniel Kendrick. Published by The Book Guild on 28th March 2023.

She has written several academic courses on marine biology subjects as well as several books on self help and business.

She had a long nursing and midwifery career, mainly in neonatal intensive care, and she also studied marine biology at Swansea University. She has a PhD for her humpback whale research. She's travelled the world swimming with whales and sharks and painting with elephants but has finally settled down to be what she's always wanted to be - a thriller writer! She lives in the Monmouthshire countryside with her husband, cats, rescued hens and turkeys.

www.ruthsearle.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

Also writes as Oliver Rixon.

Reviews

[Evalangui · Rating 1 out of 5]

31.08 (UNFINISHED, because it sucks)

It’s amazing that a book published in 2010 makes the sweeping generalizations about gender this one does. I periodically felt the need to set in on fire. Even though it claims Asperger is a ‘extreme male brain’ it never explains how you get female Aspies and how this affects them and their personalities, considering they are still asked the same from society. It’s such a gapping hole in the argument it’s not simply a matter of choosing not to engage but of actively ignoring the issue.

I think I liked one line from the whole book:

People with Asperger syndrome may have a limited capacity for socializing because they are only able to achieve success in social interactions by intellectualizing and thinking about how social interactions work - they find it difficult to understand the process intuitively. pp 5

[Empress · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has amazingly low rating. Maybe people just don't agree with what is written in it. It is an eight chapter book, very easy to read. The first four chapters provide information on a variety of subjects. After all psychology is something complex an u can't isolate one matter without looking into what else affects us. It covers subject like aspergers, social psicology and even the biological differences between men and women. But the best thing is that the book gives the main contradicting theories and let us make up our own minds. Very informative and interesting to read.
The end chapter give practical advice for building relationships and a clear way of communicating.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first I thought the book was interesting but as I got into it I was tempted to give up half way, I stuck with it but do t feel that I got anything from it.
I felt it was a little sexist, comparing females to males and also just focusing on how difficult it is to have autism if your a male, I appreciate that more males than female have autism but they made it more solely on the male when in fact it should have been open to everyone. They also went on about male and female relationships when in fact it could have been better if they refers to the other half as partner regardless it being male or female.
This book wasn’t for me am afraid, I got nothing new from it but appreciate the work that went into it

[Niqui Stanforth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan at all.
The huge gender explanation just didn’t sit right, and in fact there is gender bias throughout.
I am glad that this wasn’t my introduction to Asperger’s as it would have been most misleading.

[Paul Wotton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful

Clear and to the point. Left me with much to think about and try out. Intend to re-read and follow up on references.