This short book, a collection of essays and poems, looks at the loneliness, frustration and sadness experienced, not by the person with the syndrome, but by their partners, parents and other family members: it is they who have to cope with the absence of communication, affection and empathy expected from a reciprocal loving relationship.’
– Irish Journal of Medical Science
The difficulties faced by people with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) cannot be underestimated, but the emotional problems experienced by those who support them – partners, family and friends – are often over-looked. Focusing on what is referred to as the Cassandra phenomenon, where the neurotypical partner often needs more emotional guidance than the AS partner, this volume gathers together letters, thoughts and poems to give voice to the loneliness, frustration and love felt by many individuals who are close to one or more people with AS. Assembled by FAAAS Inc. (Families of Adults Afflicted with Asperger’s Syndrome), a well-known support group specifically for family members, friends and loved ones of people with AS, this collection will provide the emotional support, insight and understanding needed to deal with the emotions that AS evokes within close relationships.
Jadual kandungan
Acknowledgements. Terminology. Preface. 1. Asperger’s Syndrome and its Effect upon the Families, FAAAS, Inc., USA, 2002. 2. Cassandra Phenomenon, FAAAS, Inc., 2000. 3. The Family Aspect of Asperger’s Syndrome, Linda Demer, UCLA, 2002. 4. Things I have Learnt About Asperger’s Syndrome…, Brenda Wall, UK, 2002. 5. Behind a Glass Wall, Marguerite Long, Australia, 1997. 6. Is Anyone Listening?, Karen E. Rodman, USA, 1997. 7. Be Careful What You Wish For, Anonymous, New Jersey, 2002. 8. Asperger’s Dungeon, Dawn O’Neil, USA, 2002. 9. Living with an AS Son, E.G., USA, 2002. 10. A Commentary, Anonymous, USA, 2000. 11. A Failed Marriage, Anonymous. 12. Asperger’s Syndrome, Obsessions, etc., Anonymous, USA, 2000. 13. Naked Hands, Kathy Read, USA, 2002. 14. Personal Reflections on a Relationship with an Adult who has the Symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome, Anonymous, USA, 2000. 15. When We Married, Anonymous, 2001. 16. When Cassandra was Very, Very Young, Judy Singer, Australia, 2002. 17. Roses and Cacti, Marguerite Long, Australia, 2000. 18. Loneliness Is…, Karen E. Rodman, USA, 1995. 19. Bobby…, Bobby’s Mom, Vicki, USA, 2000. 20. Life With My AS Mother, Paula, Canada, 2002. 21. Disconnecting from the Treadmill, Regina, New York, 2001. 22. When Love is Not Enough, Brenda Wall, UK, 1997. 23. My Corner, Yvette Gerhardt, USA, 2003. 24. My Older AS Son…, Anonymous, New Zealand, 2002. 25. Tempest and Sunshine, Cynthia Marchant, USA, 1990. 26. AS Awareness: A Path Out of the Darkness, Debbie, USA, 2000. 27. Passive Aggression, Marguerite Long, Australia, 2002. 28. Six Generations of AS, A seventy-plus -year-young anonymous male, USA. 29. Trying to Describe our Situation, ‘Sharon’, USA, 2000. 30. O Negative, Anonymous, USA, 2002. 31. Knowing is Understanding, Understanding is Accepting: A Note of Encouragement, Annemarieke, USA, 2002. 32. The End into a Beginning, Anonymous, USA, 2002. 33. Untitled, Maxine Aston, UK, 2002. 34. Come With Me, Dawn O’Neil, USA, 2002.
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Tony Attwood, Ph D, is a clinical psychologist from Brisbane, Australia, with over 30 years of experience with individuals with autism spectrum disorders. He is currently Adjunct Professor at Griffith University in Queensland.