Recommended readings for those with Aspergers

Hey,

So I got to thinking about resources available for those with Aspergers. There's a post that's a sticky that is resources *about* aspergers, but not for those who have it. In other words, coping strategies - or resources to learn more about one's self, difficulties, etc.

One book I was thinking of "Finding your own North Star", which was brought up a few times. I still really believe this book is very useful as both a general self help book, as well as those with AS. Personally I found this book really pushed on a number of areas I'm really bad at in terms of feelings and realizing when I'm stressed and all.

Another book that's really been useful for me is "the definitive book of body language", which I still reference (in fact, referenced it yesterday). This book points out a lot of gestures people use, and how to read what's going on. Once learned, a lot of these non-verbals are easier to pick up on.

What other resources do people recommend?

i found tony attwood's 'asperger's syndrome - a guide for parents and professionals' a useful overview of AS, and in particular a number of the experiences quoted i could really relate to. i know the title says 'a guide for parents and professionals' but i found it just as useful for myself. indeed, it helped me see AS better from an NT perspective.

i also have tony attwod's 'the complete guide to asperger's syndrome', and whilst there were bits of this that were quite enlightening, it wasn't, IMO, as accessible or as engaging.

but i think the thing to remember here is that everyone comes at this from their own experience and one book may 'speak' more to one person than another. so, the thing to do, really, is read as many books as possible and see what you think applies to you.

TDT wrote:One book I was thinking of "Finding your own North Star", which was brought up a few times. I still really believe this book is very useful as both a general self help book, as well as those with AS.

I don't know if this is arrogance of mine, but I just can't bring myself to read this kind of book.

shock_the_monkey wrote:i also have tony attwod's 'the complete guide to asperger's syndrome'

I've read this one and I do recommend it. (Obviously, though, it is about Asperger's.)

TDT wrote:One book I was thinking of "Finding your own North Star", which was brought up a few times. I still really believe this book is very useful as both a general self help book, as well as those with AS. Personally I found this book really pushed on a number of areas I'm really bad at in terms of feelings and realizing when I'm stressed and all.

this better be good, TDT - i've just ordered a copy!!!

shock_the_monkey wrote:

TDT wrote:One book I was thinking of "Finding your own North Star", which was brought up a few times. I still really believe this book is very useful as both a general self help book, as well as those with AS. Personally I found this book really pushed on a number of areas I'm really bad at in terms of feelings and realizing when I'm stressed and all.

this better be good, TDT - i've just ordered a copy!!!

Oh it is! Out of all the "self-help" books I've read I really appreciated the North Star one because it's the only one that is very careful about not making assumptions about the reader. All the other books seem to say "If you do [this], it's because [this and this] and you need to do [this]". And in my case (and probably any aspie) the assumption is almost always wrong. This book just helps you to reach your own conclusions for your own reasons.

slugger wrote:

shock_the_monkey wrote:

TDT wrote:One book I was thinking of "Finding your own North Star", which was brought up a few times. I still really believe this book is very useful as both a general self help book, as well as those with AS. Personally I found this book really pushed on a number of areas I'm really bad at in terms of feelings and realizing when I'm stressed and all.

this better be good, TDT - i've just ordered a copy!!!

Oh it is! Out of all the "self-help" books I've read I really appreciated the North Star one because it's the only one that is very careful about not making assumptions about the reader. All the other books seem to say "If you do [this], it's because [this and this] and you need to do [this]". And in my case (and probably any aspie) the assumption is almost always wrong. This book just helps you to reach your own conclusions for your own reasons.

praise indeed!

Slugger's suggestion on this book is why I go it, too. I have not regretted purchasing the book, although I still need to finish it yet. The book, for me, really pinpointed that I have a hard time knowing how I feel about stuff. I realized that I tend to think a lot about others, but have a very limited vocabulary when it comes to knowing exactly what I want out of life. I can't think much in the future, planning for stuff, and I have a hard time knowing anything more than just "happy/sad". This book pointed this out to me, and is the primary reason why I'm getting talk therapy. This book definitely helped me quite a bit, and I'm still only about half way through it. After Sunday (I graduate tomorrow night, and I also am buying a house..tomorrow morning I sign paperwork), I hope to really dedicate time to this book again.

TDT wrote:(I graduate tomorrow night, and I also am buying a house..tomorrow morning I sign paperwork)

Hey, congratulations on both counts!!