Asperger Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and Long-Term Relationships

Happily married to her husband with Asperger Syndrome for 25 years, Ashley Stanford is an expert on how Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can affect a relationship and her bestselling book has helped thousands of couples. Brought fully up to date, this second edition clarifies the new DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and explains how, without a solid awareness of the condition, ASD behaviors can easily be misinterpreted. Stanford's book provides a wealth of strategies for living with the more uncompromising aspects of ASD, pointing out that ASD also brings enormous strengths to a relationship. It shows how understanding the intentions, motivations and reasoning behind ASD behaviors can lead to better communication, relief of tension, and ultimately to a happier, more mutually fulfilling relationship.

Auteur

Ashley Stanford has worked as a technical writer for 17 years and is the CEO of a successful computer software company. She is the author of Troubleshooting Relationships on the Autism Spectrum and Business for Aspies, also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. She and her husband live in California with their four children.

Texte du rabat

Fully updated for DSM-5, the new edition of Ashley Stanford's bestselling book continues to offer invaluable relationship guidance to couples where one or both partners are on the autism spectrum. By exploring Asperger/ASD traits step-by-step, the book emphasizes the value of understanding and offers solutions that have worked for other couples.

Contenu

Acknowledgments. Foreword by Liane Holliday Willey. Preface. 1. One Day I Woke Up. 2. What Does Asperger Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Look Like in an Adult? 3. The Full Realization. 4. Diagnostic Criteria A - Persistent Deficits in Social Communication and Interaction. What it May Look Like: Social Reciprocity. What it May Look Like: Emotional Reciprocity. What it May Look Like: Sharing Interests. What it May Look Like: Failure to Initiate or Respond to Social Interactions. What it May Look Like: Eye Contact. What it May Look Like: Body Language. What it May Look Like: Gestures. What it May Look Like: Facial Expression. What it May Look Like: Relationships. What it May Look Like: Sharing Enjoyment. 5. Diagnostic Criteria B - Restricted, Repetitive Patterns of Behavior. What it May Look Like: Repetitive Movements. What it May Look Like: Routines. What it May Look Like: Fixated Interest. What it May Look Like: Sensory Dysfunction. 6. Diagnostic Criteria C - Symptoms Must Be Present in Early Development. What it May Look Like: Language through the Lifespan. 7. Diagnostic Criteria D - Clinically Significant Impairment in Social, Occupational, or Other Functioning. What it May Look Like: Social. What it May Look Like: Occupational. 8. Diagnostic Criteria E - Not Better Explained by Intellectual Disability. What it May Look Like: Cognitive Development. What it May Look Like: Self-Help Skills/Adaptive Behavior. 9. The ASD-Linked Long-Term Relationship. 10. Help! Where to Look. Epilogue. Glossary. References. Index.