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Asperger
Download: A Guide to Help Teenage Males with Asperger Syndrome Trouble-Shoot
Life's Challenges by Josie and Damian Santomauro
$19.95   
2007, ISBN 978-1-934575-02-4
Being
a teenager is an experience simultaneously shared by teens and their parents.
In this book, Damian Santomauro and his mother, Josie, share their dual
experiences by defining major terms that teenage males encounter during
their journey into manhood. Damian was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome
at the age of 5. Now he's in college and ready to share his experiences
with teens who are experiencing what he lived through. Appropriate for
teenage males ages 11-16.
ISBN 9781934575024
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Excerpt:
GOSSIP
- Whispering, rumor, scandalous talk
Gossip
is small talk, rumors and stuff. It's not nice to gossip about
people, though I have to admit that I do it sometimes; most people
do. At my school, I do more listening than passing it on. I have
to remember not to think that it is all true. People did a little
gossip about me when someone typed my name in Google and found
information on Asperger and me. People were like "What? What's
this?" and there was a little talking going around; nothing
big. I just ignored it.
o Damian
To
know the difference between gossip and non-gossip, ask yourself,
"Would I say this to the person's face?" If you wouldn't,
but you would say it to somebody else, then it's probably gossip.
For example, I complain to a friend, "Damian is so annoying;
his room is always untidy and so messy." Because this is
something that I always tell Damian anyhow, to his face, it isn't
gossip. But if I said to a friend, ''Damian is such a pain; I
wish he'd move out," and this is something I wouldn't say
to Damian's face, then it is gossip. You may be very literal and
truly believe what people tell you. It is quite common for persons
with Asperger Syndrome to be very black and white in their thinking.
When in doubt, ask a good friend or an adult to help you sort
things out.
o Josie
KISSING
- When one person's lips touch another person's lips
Kissing is something people like to do when they have feelings
for each other. It is basically when people press their lips together.
More can be done in kissing, such as the use of tongue. The feelings
that are present when people kiss can be different every time.
It can be a love feeling (see Love), or it can be a feeling of
lust, which is more sexual than love. I suggest that if you want
to kiss a girl, you prepare yourself and go over the situation
first in your mind. If you and the person you want to kiss are
together as a dating couple, then it is probably appropriate.
If you are not together, it is inappropriate to kiss if the person
doesn't feel the same way. You can never just go up to someone
and kiss without warning, because not only is that scary to the
person you kissed, it is also socially unacceptable. In fact,
it can be illegal because it can be seen as harassment.
o Damian
Very
good advice, Damian. If you want to learn more or practice kissing,
watch movies - and see lots of different types of kissing - soft,
hard, quick, long, and so on. Don't be too nervous or stressed
out when you are going to kiss; just relax, and it will come naturally
to you. There are different types of kissing, from a kiss on the
cheek for your grandmother to a romantic kiss for your girlfriend.
Ultimately, if you don't want to do it, don't!
o Josie
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Reviews:
"From A to
Z, Damian, a person with Asperger Syndrome, and his mother team up to
present the "straight scoop" on some of the most perplexing
aspects of successful transition to adulthood for those of us with Asperger
Syndrome and high-functioning autism. Thank you for providing a lucid
and clear window into our world for people who support those on the
autism spectrum."
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Stephen M. Shore, internationally known author and consultant on matters
pertaining to the autism spectrum; member of the Board of Directors
of the Autism Society of America, the Asperger's Association of New
England, and MAAP Services
"Asperger
Download is a thoroughly enlightening guide to teenage life on the
autism spectrum. This mother-and-son team is blessed with insights and
explanatory powers that most of us can only envy from afar. A treat
to read and an essential guide for any teenager - Asperger's or otherwise."
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Dr. Andrew Whitehouse, Scott Family Fellow for Studies in Autism, University
College, Oxford University
"I highly recommend
Asperger Download to anyone who cares for or works with a teenager
with Asperger Syndrome, as well as to teenagers themselves. The book
uniquely provides the dual perspectives of a teenager with Asperger
Syndrome and his mother. Josie and Damian have successfully navigated
many of the challenges of AS, while celebrating its innumerable gifts.
They discuss with great wisdom and knowledge a wealth of important and
highly relevant topics, giving insight and strategies to help cope with
the teenage years and beyond."
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Dr. Michelle S. Garnett, director, Minds and Hearts - a clinic for Asperger
Syndrome and autism
"Asperger
Download is an invaluable resource for teens with AS written by
a teenager with Asperger Syndrome with clarifying comments by his mother.
Damian shares his experiences and offers definitions and advice to his
peers on topics relevant to the teen with Asperger Syndrome. It's a
wonderfully user-friendly compendium of "everything you always
wanted to know about
" for teenagers with AS. Exceptionally
well organized (dictionary style) and comprehensive, the book covers
topics such as acne, stress, swearing and hygiene in a clear and straightforward
manner. This is truly a welcome addition to existing resources for teenagers
with AS."
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Ellen Korin, author of Asperger Syndrome: An Owner's Manual - What
You, Your Parents, and Your Teachers Need to Know and Asperger
Syndrome: An Owner's Manual 2 - What You, Your Parents and Friends,
and Your Employer, Need to Know
"Asperger
Download is a concise, informative read! Teens with Asperger Syndrome
will benefit from the insights on life, challenges and social rules,
delivered within a direct, no-nonsense writing style by a teenager who
'has been there.'"
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Nelle Frances, author of the Ben and His Helmet Asperger fiction
series
"Well done,
Josie and Damian! This book addresses key topics relevant to aspie teenage
boys from A-Z, explaining them in a very honest, yet sensitive and tactful
manner. As the mother of an aspie teenage boy, I immediately saw the
relevance of the topics selected, and am certain my son and other boys
will gain from reading this book."
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Marguerite ("Min") Gillespie, mother of a teenage son with
Asperger Syndrome, Brisbane, Australia
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