Book Reviews

Asperger Syndrome, the Universe and Everything, by Kenneth Hall.  

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a child with Asperger’s Syndrome?  How do people on the autistic spectrum perceive the world around them?  Have you wondered how autism affects their relationships?

In the book Asperger Syndrome, the Universe and Everything; a ten year old boy named Kenneth Hall gives us great incite into the mind of a young boy with Asperger’s.  He was diagnosed with autism at the age of eight and wanted to write a book to help adults understand the best way to help children on the spectrum.  Being ten at the time the book is published, he is wise beyond his years.  

Kenneth always knew that he was different from other children.  He knew that other children enjoyed playing in groups and talked differently, but he thought he was the “normal” one and that everyone else was different.  Before his diagnosis he was depressed and did not understand why.  After he discovered he has Asperger’s, everything in his life changed and people started treating him better.  “When I heard that I had AS I was very pleased because I had been wondering why everyone else seemed to be acting strangely.  So I felt a bit relieved” (Hall, 2001, p.14).

Sandy is Kenneth’s cat and has helped him learn to relax.  He loves to snuggle in his sleeping bag on his bed with Sandy.  His sleeping bag is the perfect softness.  When he gets stressed he likes to go to his bag and be alone.  His favorite days are “jammie” days.  He looks forward to being able to relax, read and not get dresses all day.  The thing that makes him the most upset is when people don’t keep their promises and when his mom promises a jammie day and then makes other plans for him.  Kenneth give a unique perspective into the reality of extreme anger that often accompanies those on the spectrum.  He is learning to deal better with his emotions as he learns more appropriate ways to express them.  He talks a lot about a reward system Applied Behavioral Analysis, or ABA which breaks goals down into smaller steps with rewards and tokens that can be cashed in for prizes.  This has made a big difference in his behaviors and his attitude because his environment is now more positive.  

A few things Kenneth does not like are crowds, concentrating, being patient, understanding others, groups, not enough attention, staying still, and change.  He is able to explain these dislikes in a way that helps the reader more fully understand his perspective.  He is extremely smart but struggled with the traditional school setting and teaching style.  His mother decided to home school him after his diagnosis and he blossomed.  He was able to pass the math test in Ireland 6 years ahead of schedule because his tutors were able to teach to his learning style.

This book is a necessary read for newly diagnosed autistic children, their parents and family members, teachers and anyone else involved in their lives.  I loved the unique perspective that Kenneth offers in his book.  It adds depth to the research and knowledge we have about Asperger’s Syndrome.  In the book Asperger’s Syndrome; A Guide for Parents and Professionals, Tony Atwood supports Kenneth’s views expressed throughout his book.  For example, Tony Atwood devotes a large portion of his writing to social behavior of children with Asperger’s.  He acknowledges the autistic child prefers to be alone and struggles with group activities.  “They can become withdrawn and solitary when in a group” (Atwood, 1998, p. 48).  He then gives great detailed examples and helps for teachers and parents to help the child improve their social skills.  Kenneth’s book is supported by the research, but more importantly, enhances our understanding of the struggles and joys of autistic children.

“I like being different.  I would prefer being different to being normal.  I am glad to have AS and I am proud of who I am.” ~Kenneth Hall 

For additional information about autism visit - http://www.autismspeaks.org/

Hall, K. (2001). Asperger syndrome, the universe and everything. London, England: Jessica Kingsley.

Atwood, T. (1998). Asperger’s syndrome: A guide for parents and professionals. London, England: Jessica Kingsley.

~Korin

Ten Things Your Student With Autism Wishes You Knew

by Ellen Notbohm

Ten Things Your Student with Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm is an excellent resource book for educators as well as parents. She gives multiple credible sources pertaining to recent Autism research in the Endnotes section of the book. Mrs. Notbohm uses the voice of an Autistic child to communicate how children with Autism learn differently and how they should be taught differently by educators. According to Mrs. Notbohm, teaching is a comprehensive methodology which includes not only instructional teaching, but also communication (verbal and nonverbal), life-skill instruction, social and emotional instruction. The “child” states, “Merely teaching me facts or skills with no social or emotional connectivity between them may not be teaching me much at all.”

Mrs. Notbohm through the use of a light-hearted, witty writing style list ten things that an Autistic child wishes his/her teacher to know. These include:

• ·         Learning Is Circular: We are all both teachers and learners
• ·         We Are A Team: Success depends on all of us working together
• ·         I Think Differently: Teach me in a way that is meaningful to me
• ·         Behavior Is Communication: Yours, Mine And Ours
• ·         Glitched, Garbled And Bewildered: If we can’t communicate effectively, learning can’t happen
• ·         Teach The Whole Me: I’m much more than a set of “broken” or “missing” parts
• ·         Be Curious…be very curious
• ·         Can I Trust You?
• ·         Believe
• ·         Teach Me “How To Fish”: See me as a capable adult and hold that vision

Under each of these headings Mrs. Notbohm provides strategies and tactics for the educator, but strategies and tactics are not the book’s primary focus. The intent of the book is to teach “to the strengths and deficits of a different kind of learner.” She also emphasizes throughout the book the idea that “teachers and parent-teachers must never lose sight of the fact that ASD (autism spectrum disorder) children also share many characteristics with typical children.” An example of Mrs. Notbohm’s philosophy can be found in the chapter entitled “I Think Differently” where she explains how various techniques such as teaching children to categorize and teaching them to think flexibly and cohesively will help an educator grasp how an Autistic child comprehends old versus new information.

In the chapter entitled “Teach The Whole Me”, Mrs. Notbohm addresses the fact that Autistic children have similarities with their “normal” peers. She encourages the educator to understand that Autistic children have dreams and aspirations for the future such as owning a home, driving a car, getting married, etc. They have a sense of humor, feelings, and they want to be liked and have friends. Autistic children may not have the necessary social skills to achieve these aspirations but this does not mean that they do not want these things. Mrs. Notbohm also speaks to building trust and believing in a student’s overall abilities (social, emotional, physical, and psychological). She states in chapter nine entitled “Believe”, “The quickest route to building that trust is to nurture and communicate your belief that this child can do it.” One of the students Mrs. Notbohm interviewed for the book makes the following statement:

            “I can sense far more than I can communicate and the number one thing I can sense is whether or not you think I ‘can do it.’ Expecting too little of me is just as bad as expecting too much. Believe that autism imposes no upper limits for me other than the limits of your willingness to stretch as a teacher. Autism is an open-ended disability. There’s no telling how far I can go if you lead- not just point- the way.”

Overall, Ten Things Your Student With Autism Wishes You Knew provides a clear and comprehensive guideline for educators as well as parents in regards to developing, instructing, and nurturing the “whole” Autistic child. Mrs. Notbohm makes a profound statement in speaking to an educator’s and parent’s behavior towards Autistic children. She states,

           “Your words, your attitude, your actions and your reactions are determining factors in your child’s environment and his response to it. Only when we have a clear-eye look at our own behavior will we have a chance of positively impacting our children’s.”

Notbohm, E. (2006). Ten Things Your Student With Autism Wishes You Knew. Arlington, TX: FutureHorizons

-Elizabeth H.