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The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome, by Tony Attwood

Arran

The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome, by Tony Attwood, was the 'gold' standard reference for AS at the time it was published.

What exactly is the status of the book in a post DSM-5 world?

Is the book now obsolescent if AS no longer officially exists and is no longer given as a diagnosis?

Is the book no longer recommended reading by the medical profession for parents, teachers, educational psychologists, or even the medical profession themselves?

If the book is now obsolescent, then exactly which book has replaced it?

  • in reply to SpaceOctopus

    My local AS support group considers the book as it's 'Bible'. That's why I'm enquiring about it.

    A person (or their parents) with an ICD-10 Asperger Syndrome diagnosis will recognise the book as a standard reference, and they will probably find it quickly with a Google search if they haven't been recommended it by a professional.

    However, a person (or their parents) with DSM-5 ASD Level 1 diagnosis might be a bit confused if they are recommended the book by a professional (what's this Asperger's? I was diagnosed with autism), and if they haven't been recommended it, then it will probably take some time to find  via a Google search as they will enter in autism rather than AS. It's also likely that they will initially turn away from the book on account that AS isn't their diagnosis in a similar way that they would turn away from a book about ADHD or dyslexia if they haven't also been diagnosed with these conditions.

  • I think it's definitely worth reading this book - I do have a copy of it myself and I do intend to read it. My father, who works in mental health services, uses that book as his 'Bible'. Even though the naming of the diagnoses have changed and are categorised in slightly different ways, this is just a naming exercise and does not affect the behaviours of individuals. Discarding a resource such as this, I think, would be remiss, since it contains so much value not just of historical importance, reflecting the ways in which the diagnoses and understandings of autism are evolving, but also because many autistic traits aren't going to change.

  • Has anybody with a DSM-5 ASD Level 1 diagnosis (which has replaced the ICD-10 Asperger Syndrome diagnosis), or a parent of children with such a diagnosis, been recommended to read this book?

  • I'd be curious to know what people thought about this book, and if helpful to read. I tried reading it, but it's hard work, even tho I'm good with dry reading. I guess the early chapters refer to kids n young people, and written to parents. I was also disappointed it's not got shutdowns in the index, which i really wanted to read about. It's still by my bed so I may try reading the later chapters.

  • Any ideas?

    If a kid is diagnosed with Autism Level 1, and his parents want to know more about the condition, then will Tony Attwood's book be recommended reading or not? If not, then which books are recommended?