AUTISM

As gardeners, it's 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.

Our Library Recommendations:

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

Relationship Development Intervention with Children, Adolescents and Adults 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 Luke Tsai. M.D.

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

Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence Teresa Bolick, Ph.D.

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

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

Asperger Syndrome in Adolescence Liane Holliday Willey

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

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

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

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

The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome, Patricia Roamowski Bashe & Barbara L. Kirby (OASIS=Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support website)

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

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

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

Incorporating Social Goals In The Classroom, Rebecca A. Moyes

Comic Strip Conversations, Carol Gray

The New Social Story, Carol Gray

Autism & Asperger Syndrome Uta Frith

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

Asperger Syndrome, the Universe and Everything, Kenneth Hall

Eating An Artichoke, Echo R. Fling

Blue Bottle Mystery: An Asperger Adventure Kathy Hoopman

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

Special Diets for Special Kids Two Lisa Lewis, PhD.

Pretending To Be Normal, Liane Holliday Willey

Beyond The Wall, Stephen Shore

Your Life Is Not A Label, Jerry Newport

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

Thinking About You, Thinking About Me Michelle Garcia Winner

Thinking In Pictures, Temple Grandin

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

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

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

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

Piaget For Teachers Hans G. Furth

A Montessori Handbook R. C. Orem editor

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

2004 Additions

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

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

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

Autism: Heartfelt Thoughts from Mothers Judy Lynne

Autism Spectrum Disorders; The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental

Disorder, and Other ASDs Chantel Sicile-Kira

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

Note Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism Paul Collins

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

2005 Additions

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

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.

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