The editors and contributors to this book read like a “who's who” in the world of Asperger's syndrome; their purpose being to gather advice from successful adults with Asperger's syndrome for the “next generation of Aspies”. The concept of the book came from an idea generated by Craig Evans who created the Autism Hangout in 2008, an online discussion forum designed to support those living with the daily challenges of autism. It was through this successful online group that Evans and Dr Tony Attwood met to create a series of “Ask Dr. Tony” videos, a feature that can still be found on YouTube, although the original Autism Hangout has closed. The concept came from a discussion around the benefit for young people with Asperger's syndrome of having a mentor who themselves had Asperger's. When it became clear that the logistics of organising this for everyone who might want it were impossible, the plan was changed to developing a “primer”, a guide book for “Aspies” (the term used throughout the book). They were joined by Anita Lesko who was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome herself at the age of 52 and who helped to assemble the group of adult Aspies who would provide the wisdom of their experiences and become the mentors in the book.
The team created a survey to establish which aspects to address. This survey, full details of which are supplied as an appendix, identified 17 key stressors for those with Asperger's syndrome and then ranked them by amount of stress caused. These factors then became the titles of the chapters, each with a “front page” showing the “stress-thermometer” rating and the percentage of people affected according to the survey. The chapters, in order of stress caused, included: anxiety, self-esteem, working with change, meltdowns, overcoming depression, sensory issues, friends, personal management issues, intimacy and sex, expressing emotions, “faking it”, getting and keeping a job, disclosing diagnosis, bullying, choosing a career, empathy, and “should I be tested”. The chapters all follow the same format with short pieces, maximum 600 words, from the mentors (each mentor submitting four pieces chosen from the list of subjects); followed by some guidance and words of advice from Tony Attwood. In the centre of the book there are pages of artwork, created by mentors whose thoughts were more visual then verbal, with the explanation of their thoughts at the end of the relevant chapters. At the end of the book are brief autobiographies of each mentor which finish with the answers to two questions: what one line of advice would you give to someone with Asperger's and what one piece of information would you like the world to know about Asperger's/HFA (high functioning autism). Within the book, where other titles are mentioned that a mentor has found helpful, a reference is provided building up a wealth of follow on reading on the subjects covered.
The strength of this book is the words of wisdom from those who have lived with the difficulties of autism and express them so eloquently. The mentors do not always just provide advice but often share the difficulties and the pain they have suffered. At times the descriptions of their experiences are so poignant that they can be painful for the reader, particularly the chapter on faking it. The multitude of authors and their different styles, whilst a strength, also leads to some disjointedness and this is not a book designed to be read at one sitting or even from cover to cover. Rather one should dip in and out, share it with others to raise awareness of autism or to provide support to those with Asperger's syndrome. Caution may be needed with the latter, however, particularly with younger readers, firstly because of the painful memories expressed but also because the solutions vary greatly, sometimes contradicting each other and may not always be useful or relevant to a particular individual.
The section at the end of each chapter by Tony Attwood would appear to be designed in part to address these limitations, seeking to place the advice of the mentors in the context of knowledge derived from professional practice and research. These sections contain a wealth of ideas though it is not entirely clear to whom they are directed. Sometimes Attwood addresses the young person with Asperger's syndrome directly using simple and direct language. Sometimes, however, the terminology used may be difficult to follow as, when discussing sensory factors, a method of managing a bad smell is described as “an antidote to the obnoxious olfactory experience”! The writing also shifts from second to third person as though shifting from the young person with Asperger's syndrome to their carers or those who provide support.
Despite these issues, this is a book that manages to bring together thoughts, feelings, ideas and references that together provide an essential guide to anyone newly diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome as an adult, or to a young person growing up with their diagnosis. It also should have a place in services which support those with Asperger's or HFA; for staff to dip in and out of or to be used as a tool for a particular issue. The answers to the two short questions linked to the autobiographies would themselves provide many a powerful “thought for the day”, for example, Jenifer Cook O’Toole's “Beneath our bravado, ideals and intensity, we are so very afraid of […] so much; please be kind with your advice, be gentle with your rebukes, and be ever-generous with your patience, creativity and love”. This book is full of snippets that will lead to reflection and perhaps a greater understanding of the needs of those with Asperger's syndrome by not just the professionals but potentially workplace colleagues and the general public. Have the editors been able to achieve their original aim of a guidebook for Aspies? My answer would be a reserved yes, but what has been created is a treasure of information, guidance and thought provoking text that goes far beyond a simple “primer”. We have much to learn from the success of the Asperger mentors and from the picture they create of not just acceptance but pride in whom they are and what they have achieved and that is perhaps the greatest message that can be taken from this book.
