Book review: Asperger syndrome and adolescence
Bolick in her book, Asperger syndrome and adolescence, discusses the various challenges that the teenagers especially students experience during adolescence. Her main focus is on to the teenagers who suffer from Asperger syndrome and as well as sustain through the changes of puberty in the institutional environment. In most teenagers, Aspies begin to take more control of their personality traits in the period of adolescence (Bolick, 2004). The teenagers affected by this syndrome will desire social interactions and yet feel secluded than ever. This is for the main reason that the teenagers experience mood swings caused by the quick, physical changes taking place in the body. This is sometimes exceedingly difficult for some teenagers to manage thus change in character might be experienced. At this stage, the guidance of both the teacher and parents should be given. Through frequent advice from the teacher and parent, the teenager controls both the Asperger syndrome and puberty changes.
Throughout the book, Bolick suggest various aspects that can enable the parent to recognize the changes in the teenager. This is particularly vital since the parent identifies if the teenager is suffering from Asperger Syndrome in Adolescence or not. For instance, Bolick identify that poor communication skills between the parent and teenager might be an early stage of Asperger syndrome. Bolick also identify the various measures that can be undertaken to ensure that teenagers are able to overcome Asperger syndrome (Bolick, 2004). However, she identified that this is usually possible if the parent becomes open with the teenager. At this level, the teenager reveals disturbing issues and share secrets with the parent.
Bolick the author of the book, Asperger syndrome and adolescence, discusses broadly the changes in adolescence and Asperger syndrome. She manages to do so by dividing the book into various topics and chapters. This is to ensure that the reader keenly understands each topic. The different chapters of the book also enables the reader to make quick reference of the topic incase there is the need to share the information. Through discussing topics such as communication and independence, self-control and friendship, Bolick manages to give solutions to teenagers. For instance, she discusses of a school junior, Ralph who the parents claim that he offends his fellow classmates by funny talks. As a clinician, Bolick realizes that Ralph speaks different languages such as Arabic, Hebrew and even Spanish (Bolick, 2004). This is because he used to move together with the father, an archeologist from one nation to another. Therefore, when angry, Ralph mumbles in Arabic which upsets the teacher and the classmates.
The most fascinating aspect concerning the book is the fact that she vividly elaborates diverse stories concerning teenagers as a clinician. This makes the book realistic as the stories are a real-life experience. In every chapter, Bolick discusses the issue affecting the teenagers and Asperger syndrome before giving the solutions (Bolick, 2004). This makes it be exceedingly easy for both parents and teachers to us the book in guiding the teenagers on how to overcome the syndrome. However, the solutions she gives in the book might be not applicable in the current world. This is because the book immensely focuses on ancient solutions that were applicable in 1950s and 1960s. Since the author wrote the book in the 1950’s it is very difficult for the solutions given to be applied in the current world. The character of the teenagers has also evolved making the new generation to behave differently from those of ancient times.
The advice given to the youths has also changed since the activities that the ancient people used to enjoy conducting changed. This makes the youths in the current world behave in a different manner. The introduction of technology has initiated different characters in the youths today causing the change in character. For instance, the current teenagers have daily access to the internet which might result into antisocial. In such instances, teenagers suffering from Asperger syndrome might need more advice from the parents and teachers. The use of the internet in some extent might also trigger Asperger syndrome since the teenager will be repetitively using the internet for an exceptionally long period. However, this might be corrected if the parent finds more time to talk to the teenager. The parent should also ensure that the teenager does not spend most of his or her time performing the same activity (Bolick, 2004). Through doing this the teenager will communicate with other colleges. Through communication, the chances of getting infected with Asperger syndrome might be reduced.
The facts in the book are helpful to me as a parent in the sense that it gives knowledge concerning Asperger syndrome. This is particularly vital since it will assist in dealing with my teenagers also enable me to understand the appropriate advice to give to my children. Through reading the book, I am able as a parent to identify some symptoms of the Asperger syndrome which I might deal with them before the child is out of control. For instance, in my discussion with my teenagers, I will listen carefully to ensure that gauge the child language. This will enable me to identify is the teenager is paying attention with the reactions and comments. Failure in the effective use of other communication skills such as body movement and gesture might be an indication that the child is suffering form Asperger syndrome (Bolick, 2004). The books also enabled me as a parent to learn that the best solution to treat Asperger syndrome is through the use of language and speech therapy. This enables the teenager to overcome both adolescence and Asperger syndrome and improves the communication skills.
Reference
Bolick, T. (2004). Asperger syndrome and adolescence: helping preteens and teens get ready for
the real world, New York: Fair Winds
