Living Well on the Spectrum: How to Use Your Strengths to Meet the Challenges of Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism
Original price was: $24.95.$22.83Current price is: $22.83.
Navigating the “neurotypical” world with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism (AS/HFA) can be extremely stressful. But by understanding the specific ways your brain works differently–and how to tap into your personal strengths–you can greatly enhance your well-being. In this wise and practical book, experienced therapist Valerie L. Gaus helps you identify goals that will make your life better and take concrete steps to achieve them. Grounded in psychological science, the techniques in this book help you:
*Learn the unspoken rules of social situations.
*Improve your communication skills.
*Get organized at home and at work.
*Manage anxiety and depression.
*Strengthen your relationships with family and friends.
*Live more successfully on your own or with others.
A wealth of stories, questionnaires, worksheets, and concrete examples help you find personalized solutions to problems you are likely to encounter. You can download and print additional copies of the worksheets for repeated use. Of special note, the Introduction was updated in 2017 with the latest information on how autism spectrum disorder is defined in DSM-5. Finally, a compassionate, knowledgeable, positive guide to living well on the spectrum.
Mental health professionals, see also the author’s Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Second Edition.
Publisher : The Guilford Press
Publication date : March 15, 2011
Edition : 1st
Language : English
Print length : 383 pages
ISBN-10 : 1606236342
ISBN-13 : 978-1606236345
Item Weight : 1.7 pounds
Dimensions : 8 x 0.9 x 10.4 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #151,729 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #26 in Psychopathology #143 in Children’s Autism Spectrum #167 in Social Work (Books)
Customer Reviews: 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 372 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
13 reviews for Living Well on the Spectrum: How to Use Your Strengths to Meet the Challenges of Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism
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Original price was: $24.95.$22.83Current price is: $22.83.
Chelly –
Complexity within simplicity
As mother of a teenager “living on the spectrum”. I was initially disappointed that the book seemed so simplistic. However, re-reading the book I gained tremendous insight and understanding, especially with regard to emotional and executive functioning and control. I have read other books on this subject, but they did not explain, nor give strategies that I felt would be of use to the situation within our household. This is such a wonderful book, without it I would still be in the dark about what precisely the difficulties were. The book has shed light on the situation and I no longer feel confused or at the mercy of professionals. I now know what the problem is and the book gives great insights into how to work to maximise strengths and minimise weaknesses. I want to thank the author for writing this book so that we know in my family what we are dealing with and no longer feel afraid or helpless.
Placeholder –
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR THIS BOOK
Of all the Autism/Asperger workbooks I have read, this one is the ABSOLUTE BEST. It is helping me make REAL changes. I filled in the exercises for making changes in myself, hoping, but not letting my expectations get too high. The instructions were so clear and specific as to what to do with your information that I was able to make and use the reminder notes in the way the author describes. You are asked to think about situations that you often encounter from an emotional, intellectual, and several other perspectives. The author then gives you charts to use that have so much helpful information and examples in them. These charts, alone, must have taken the author so much time to make! You hear how things “change people’s lives” and that phrase is almost always wishful thinking. But this book has already helped me change the way I do things and I can see the difference in myself. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this book!
Allen Bassel –
and I found this to be one of the better resources I could find since there is very limited …
I was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, and I found this to be one of the better resources I could find since there is very limited help for adults on the spectrum. The first half of the book explains many of the differences between the neurtypical and spectral minds in a very understandable and applicable depth. It covered a lot of areas that I did not find in me research on the internet, such as having a “switch” instead of a “dial” when it comes to emotions, sensory differences, social difficulties, and difficulties with multitasking. while emphasizing being on the spectrum as a difference, not a disability or aberration. It made me feel better about how my brain is wired.The second half of the book helps develop strategies for coping with every day situations that may prove challenging, such as frustrations at work, social issues, and dating/marriage. I would definitely recommend this book.
J.C. –
Exercises Help in This Book
My husband was recently diagnosed with ASD-1. It explained a lot. His therapist suggested this workbook to help him understand himself and make changes he wants to make. So far, he has liked doing the exercises.
WebSkipper –
The best of the best!
I don’t much care for writing reviews, and for most things I just plain don’t — and won’t — bother. For me, something has to either really shine or suck to spend time and thought on a review. Dr. Gaus is outstandingly brilliant. Period.I have read most of the literature available for adult AS/HFA and most recently I am reading both of Dr. Gaus’s books. Reading about this condition from an academic standpoint may be illuminating, but Dr. Gaus’s books are far and away the most helpful on a practical level, which is exactly what I’ve been desperately searching for. This is the help I’ve been looking for!All my life I’ve had the feeling of being misunderstood, and I’m convinced that’s true. Dr. Gaus seems not only to understand me, but she has the amazing gift of being able to explain myself _TO_ me … and I seem to be actually getting it! :)If you’re an adult Aspie, or are related to one, or have one as a friend or acquaintance, Dr. Gaus’s books are the absolute best of the lot, hands down.Thank you, Dr. Gaus. You’ve helped me more than I can say.
Bee –
Could Use A Version for Teens
This book came recommended to me by the psychologist who reassessed my son’s ASD. While much of this book is age appropriate for a 16 year old, Chapter 13 for him, is not. Some other parents with different values may think that particular chapter is fine for their older teen. My husband and I do not.
Amazon Customer –
outstanding book
This is an outstanding book and it is a shame it won’t show up in searches simply because the title lacks the keywords autism or aspergers. I’ve read a lot of books on this topic and this is by far my favorite in terms of being tremendously useful to people with ASD and higher range IQ. The book starts with a lot of examples, suggestions, and questions to begin thinking about problem areas in terms of differences and potential solutions. Then it describes in detail thinking, social, emotional, and sensory/movement differences between ASD and neurotypical brains. The second half presents various strategies for adaptive behavior at home, at work, at school, in the community, building friendships, dating/sex/marriage, and personal health. The many worksheets and checklists assist in remembering difficult times or areas of life and also serve as good conversation starters. Highly recommended!
Venesa –
For my hubby
My hubby is an Aspi living well on the spectrum! 🙂 He does great trying to help himself and when I saw this book, I knew he would like it. He is a well-functioning Aspi, hardly anyone notices anything different about him, (not sure if that fact would matter in someone reading this review on his take on the book). He really related to many things that he read in the book, but wasn’t sure if he could find things in the book that would help him to change what he thinks needs changing in himself. He did say that it was great to read and understand himself a bit more though.
Dorval Jules –
One of the best books ever for helping you to understand your difficulties and overcome your troubles with autism.Valerie Gaus Phd. New York is what you can call à source of light in the darkness for those who struggle with autism.Jules Dorval, consultant and research autism.
Sandrine Toupin –
I wish everyone getting a late diagnosis of ASD without intellectual disability was introduced to this book. This book presents the diagnosis, common difficulties AND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS, which other books often lack, in a very complete and scientific format, so you also get multiple references and other ressources to check out. The multiple checklists and worksheets could also be of use to specialists working with people with ASD.I really can’t recommend this book enough!
springerlady –
This was recommended by my therapist as I have just been diagnosed with Aspergers. I have been unwell for quite a few years and paid for 4 years of private therapy. This book has made me so much happier I feel the best I have done for years using it. My anxiety and depression levels went from high to almost non- existent in a few weeks. It looks insulting simple, I nearly didn’t try it but I am so glad I did. You work through areas of your life to identify areas of difficulty. You learn about your thinking differences and your strengths – you then learn about strategies to use. You then use a particular problem solving technique to work on the issues you have identified, decide what to work on first – set goal, decide what strategies to use – you then use a system to score how you met your goals which encourages you to move beyond black and white thinking that can go with the condition. For example I want to set up a business but I keep looking at similar business’ online and thinking they are beyond my capabilities. Using the book I have made a small goal – one more client of a certain type of work. It has eased my panic and I am well on the way to achieving it. I was also not enjoying being at home – I again used the problem solving system – changed a few small things using the techniques I have learned – I monitored my scores on how I felt at home. After 4 weeks over four areas – contentment, Achieving. Rested. Happy I improved my scores from a low one or 2 to a 4 or five. I probably only spent about an hour or two a week reading it or working on it so it was not too time consuming.I am glad I did the book in pencil as I will want to go back, rub it all out and go through it again in the future.I have been telling everyone I know about it – and I know the therapist
N. M. –
so very helpful, I wish I’d had it years ago! Valerie Gaus breaks it all down into tiny bite size pieces, which seems a bit simple at first but once you decide to embark on her journey it’s exactly what enables you to overcome difficulties. Wonderful, I love it.
Claudia Valdiviezo-Friedlin –
Ein wunderbares Buch. Mit Fragebogen, um zu helfen Stressfaktoren zu erkennen. Gute Strategien. Sehr respektvoll geschrieben.