Rating:
5
out of 5 Stars
Author: Harold Reitman, M.D.
Format:
eBook,
Paperback
Pages:
240
Release
Date: 04-07-15
Bit on the Back:
If
you ask Dr. Harold Reitman, labels are a lousy way to describe a unique human
being, whether it's Asperger's, high functioning autism, ADHD, dyslexia,
Tourette's or even the so-called neurotypical brain itself. One size does not
fit all. Everyone's brain is different. Helping others 'get it' when it comes
to dealing with those with so-called learning disabilities is why Reitman has
written this book. It's also why he wrote and produced "The Square Root of
2," a movie about a college student who encounters and fights her school's
unjust system. The film was inspired by the real events faced by his daughter
and contributing author, Rebecca, when she went to college; her seizure
disorder and at the time undiagnosed Asperger syndrome posed unique challenges
not faced by most students.
After reviewing the scientific community's research, conducted over the last nearly 40 years, Dr. Reitman believes that it's time to not just accept neurodiversity, but to embrace it, and this book will help people do just that. It is the first book to offer simple tools, action plans and resources to help understand and deal with anyone whose brain is a bit different. The astonishing rate of autism births alone (1 in 68) means that society will have to adapt to neurodiversity, just as it has had to adapt to other cultural and racial differences. Our educational system, our workplaces, and society at large will no longer be one size fits all-each individual will have the opportunity to maximize their potential-and we will be the better for it. "
My So-Called Review:
I have never before
read a book directly related to Asperger’s Syndrome so I was extremely happy to
be given the opportunity to read and review “Aspertools: The Practical Guide
for Understanding and Embracing Asperger’s, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Neurodiversity”
by Dr. Harold Reitman. Our 19 year old son was diagnosed with ADHD and OCD at
the age of 5 and many times throughout the years doctors and teachers would
tell us that he also displayed many Asperger tendencies and traits. Many tests
were done yet the results always came back the same, inconclusive. We were
never told definitively if he was positively diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome
or what all these tendencies meant. As a parent, this became increasing
frustrating; how are you supposed to help your child without a proper diagnosis
or the proper tools?
Dr. Harold Reitman has
put so much into perspective for me and my husband with his book! I felt like
he was speaking directly to me regarding our son and I only wish that I had
this information and knew of these tools and resources when our son was young.
It’s laid out in an easily read format about strategies that can be used to
help individuals who are on the Autism Spectrum. Each chapter is then addresses
a specific issue that typically affects an individual with Asperger’s and he
then provides ways to address these issues in real life. This isn’t just for
parents though, anyone who knows or even works with someone with Asperger’s or an
Autism disorder would benefit greatly from reading this book.
The rapidly
increasing rate in which children are being born with Asperger’s Syndrome or any
varying degree of Autism is just staggering. We need to stop lumping our children
and adults who suffer from these learning disabilities into one category
because; as Dr. Reitman explains so well in his book, everyone’s brain is
different! We as a society must start educating ourselves and “Aspertools” is a
great place to start!
Highly recommend to
parents of children with Mental Health Disorders as well as teachers and
educators, outside as well as inside the Special Education Departments.
Thank you to Dr. Harold Reitman,
publishers HCI Books, and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book in
exchange for my honest review
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