As gardeners, it is important to learn about the flowers, shrubs, mosses and trees that interest us. Of equal importance is broadening our knowledge of others that we share the planet with. It may seem unusual to find a page on autism mixed in with a horticultural website, but with many people in our lives now on the autism spectrum, knowing about autism is important. You might not know much yet, but there is good likelihood that you will meet someone on the spectrum either within your own family, at school or work, or in your community. Our intent is to share some of the resources we have uncovered in our quest to learn as much as we can about the autism spectrum and more specifically, Asperger's Syndrome.

Asperger's Syndrome was first defined in the mid 1940's by Austrian psychiatrist and pediatrician Hans Asperger. In the years since then, our understanding has improved as the definition, characteristics and treatment have evolved. As with so many neurological conditions, people on this part of the autism spectrum share similarities and experience strong differences from each other. They often have especially sensitive hearing, touch, and smell and react to being in close physical proximity to others. They often take things very literally, social understanding can be difficult, and accurate reading of facial expressions and body language is rare.

Perhaps these resources will help you when you meet a friend, family or community member who is just learning too. Books and web resources abound. Here are some we have found helpful. If you have questions, feel comfortable in asking us.

OASIS:   http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/
Tony Attwood:   http://www.tonyattwood.com.au
Carol Gray:   http://www.thegraycenter.org
Asperger's Association of New England:   http://www.aane.org
Autism Society of America:   http://www.autism-society.org
Autism Support Daily:   http://autismsupportdaily.com
Autism Canada Foundation:   http://autismcanada.org
Vermont Family Network: http://www.vermontfamilynetwork.org
Tammy Glaser: Aut-2-BHome, a great autism & home schooling list; Tammy is at:    http://home.earthlink.net/~tammyglaser798/authome.html    list is at Aut-2B-Home@Listserv.ICORS.org
Michelle Garcia Winner, Social Thinking   http://www.socialthinking.com
NLD On The Web:   http://www.nldontheweb.org
Relationship Development Intervention Programming, Steven Gutstein, Ph.D   http://www.rdiconnect.com
Future Horizons Austism Resources: http://www.futurehorizons-autism.com

Our Library Recommendations

Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for Educators & Parents by Brenda Smith Myles & Richard L. Simpson

Relationship Development Intervention with Children, Adolescents and Adults by Steven E. Gutstein & Rachelle K. Sheely

The Relationship Development Intervention Program A VHS tape presented by Steven Gutstein, Ph. D.

Taking the Mystery Out of Medications in Autism/Asperger Syndromes by Luke Tsai, M.D.

Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medications For Kids by Timothy E. Wilens, M.D.

Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence by Teresa Bolick, Ph.D.

Asperger Syndrome & Adolescence: Practical Solutions for School Success by Brenda Smith Myles & Diane Adreon

Mind Reading: The Interactive Guide to Emotions. A PC reference guide by Cambridge University

Asperger Syndrome in Adolescence by Liane Holliday Willey

Asperger’s Huh? A Child’s Perspective by Rosina G. Schnurr, Ph.D.

The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A.

The Out-of-Sync Kid Has Fun by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A.

Helping A Child With Nonverbal Learning Disorder or Asperger’s Syndrome by Kathryn Stewart, PhD

The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome by Patricia Roamowski Bashe & Barbara L. Kirby (OASIS=Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support website). Updated in 2005 including new information on diagnosis and evaluation, medication and therapies, and social skills development.

Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide For Parents and Professionals byTony Attwood

The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome by Tony Attwood

Teaching Your Child the Language of Social Success by Marshall P. Duke, PhD, Stephen Nowicki, Jr, PhD and Elisabeth A. Martin, PhD

Helping the Child Who Doesn’t Fit In by Stephen Nowicki, Jr. Ph.D. and Marshall P. Duke, Ph.D.

Incorporating Social Goals In The Classroom by Rebecca A. Moyes

Comic Strip Conversations by Carol Gray

The New Social Story by Carol Gray

Autism & Asperger Syndrome by Uta Frith

Asperger’s….What Does It Mean To Me? by Catherine Faherty

Asperger Syndrome, the Universe and Everything by Kenneth Hall

Eating An Artichoke by Echo R. Fling

Blue Bottle Mystery: An Asperger Adventure by Kathy Hoopman

Freaks, Geeks & Aspergers Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence by Luke Jackson

Special Diets for Special Kids Two by Lisa Lewis, PhD.

Pretending To Be Normal by Liane Holliday Willey

Beyond The Wall by Stephen Shore

Your Life Is Not A Label by Jerry Newport

Inside Out: What Makes A Person With Social Cognitive Deficits Tick? by Michelle Garcia Winner

Thinking About You, Thinking About Me by Michelle Garcia Winner

Thinking In Pictures by Temple Grandin

Teach Me Language by Sabrina Freeman, Ph.D. Lorelei Dake, B.A.

Uniquely Gifted: Identifying & Meeting the Needs of the Twice-Exceptional Student by Kiesa Kay

Getting Services for Your Child on the Autism Spectrum by DeAnn Hyatt-Foley & Matthew G. Foley

Brain Lock: Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D.

Piaget For Teachers by Hans G. Furth

A Montessori Handbook by R. C. Orem editor

Guiding the Gifted Child by James T. Webb, Ph.D.

An OT & SLP Team Approach: Sensory & Communication Strategies That WORK by Nancy Kashman & Janet Mora

Animals In Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior by Temple Grandin & Catherine Johnson

Aquamarine Blue: Personal Stories of College Students with Autism by Dawn Prince-Hughes

Autism: Heartfelt Thoughts from Mothers by Judy Lynne

Autism Spectrum Disorders; The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and Other ASDs by Chantel Sicile-Kira

Different Minds: Gifted Children with AD/HD, Asperger Syndrome, and other Learning Deficits by Deirdre V. Lovecky

Note Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism by Paul Collins

Songs of the Gorilla Nation: My Journey Through Autism by Dawn Price-Hughes, Ph.D

Children with Tourette Syndrome: A Parent's Guide Edited by Tracy Haerle

Healthcare for Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Guide to Medical, Nutritional and Behavioral Issues by Fred R. Volkmar, M.D. & Lisa A. Wiesner, M.D.

Home Educating Our Autistic Spectrum Children. Edited by Terri Dowty & Kitt Cowlishaw

OCD in Children and Adolescents: A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Manual by James S. March and Karen Mulle

Legal Planning for Special Needs in Massachusetts by Barbara D. Jackins, Attorney

Interactive Play for Children with Autism by Diana Seach

Look Me In The Eye by John Elder Robison

Living The Autism Maze, a film, now onVHS & DVD by Anne Barbano & Jeff Farber. This is not just a film, this is a "must see" film, for parents and professionals.

SIGNPOSTS: A Vermont Guide to Transitional Planning for Students and Young Adults Diagnosed with Asperger's or High Functioning Autism by Katy Chaffee & Frank Lepore. We don't know how we have forgotten to include this incredible resource before now. A place to start, an orientation and places to go for more information.