Abstract

Growing up with a parent on the autistic spectrum can be difficult, and children may often feel confused and worried by the fact that their parent is so different to others. This positive book takes an honest look at how Asperger Syndrome can affect a family when a parent is on the spectrum, and reassures young people that it's ok to have a mum or dad who is different. Following the story of Sophie and Daniel whose dad, Mark, has Asperger Syndrome, the book reveals the family's journey from initial diagnosis to gradual acceptance of the fact that there is 'something different about Dad'. Sophie and Daniel learn the reasons behind their dad's problems with communication, his social and emotional difficulties, and the issues caused by his inflexibility of thought, sensory and motor skills, and anxiety. They also come to recognise his positive attributes, including his loyalty, punctuality, ability to help with homework for hours on end - even his detailed knowledge of car engines that has saved day trips and outings from breakdown disaster! The warm, funny story emphasises how love within a family can overcome all difficulties, looking at sensitive issues in a lighthearted yet reassuring manner. This heartwarming and realistic story is a must for all families with an AS parent.
This is an important book for children with an AS parent and will help them to feel that they are not alone in coping with unusual behaviour.
healthyBooks
This book takes a positive and honest look on the way in which Asperger Syndrome can affect a family and reassure young people whose dad or mom is different...This strange story highlights how the love within a family can help overcome all the difficulties and is reassuring. This touching and realistic narrative is a must for all families with an AS parent.
Handicap's Info
Something Different About Dad: How to Live With Your Asperger's Parent follows the story of Sophie and Daniel whose dad Mark has Asperger Syndrome. The family's progress from initial diagnosis to acceptance offers a fine survey presented in a dialogue loaded with black and white cartoons and family-friendly dialogue that embraces the realistic experiences of Asperger. Any family facing such a diagnosis needs this, as do general health collections appealing to parents.
The Midwest Book Review
To me, the pictures are a stylized combination of cartoon, anime and manga. This is great because it makes them familiar and accessible to most young people and it is their very neutrality that makes them universally applicable... the reader can superimpose or imagine their own relative in the place of the characters presented. One particularly helpful element which could prove useful to many people is the illustration on page 29 [in my copy]. This highlights four aspects of Asperger Syndrome: imagination, communication, the senses and emotions, and relationships. Each one is associated with an icon, a bit like a PEC but the visual works like a shorthand or short-cut to help someone recall areas which can cause difficulties... this book could be a very useful tool, especially because of the positive aspect of 'how could we do this better.'... for the young reader, this book covers any number of sophisticated issues... very useful and sensitively constructed book. The first thirty plus pages explain many of the aspects of Asperger Syndrome in an illustrative and interesting manner... I would congratulate the authors for producing a well thought out, wonderfully illustrated book which has broken new ground an exciting new trend hope it becomes a series? [hint, hint]
Autisable
Kirsti Evans is an Autism Quality Development Advisor for an Independent Service Provider, working across the UK. John Swogger is an archaeologist and illustrator who writes comics. He has produced work for museums, and books and magazines aimed at children and young adults.
This book is great for children over seven who have a parent on the spectrum and would be a useful look for school libraries and psychologists to keep as well
AS Teens
...the images make the book appealing and engaging for children... The interesting content and simple style are sufficient to engage young readers...I hope to see more books like this available in the future.
Disability, Pregnancy & Parenthood international
This book is illustrated cartoon-style and is easy to read. The explanations about Asperger Syndrome are simple and clear, with suggestions as to how to minimize the impact of the father's condition on the family, while understanding and empathizing with his behavior. Sophie and her family learn there are things they can do to make living with their dad less difficult and frustrating for all of them. "This is a story about us realizing we don't love Dad any less because he has Asperger's Syndrome," says Sophie. Primarily written for children ages 7-15, this book is also helpful for people working with children who have parents or other adult relatives with Asperger's in their lives.
Penny Hastings - ForeWord Reviews
The book is presented in a casual comic book style and has a comfortable air about it due in part to the font of the typeface and more importantly, the illustrations. To me, the pictures are a stylized combination of cartoon, anime and manga. This is great because it makes them familiar and accessible to most young people and it is their very neutrality that makes them universally applicable--the reader can superimpose or imagine their own relative in the place of the characters presented.
Whitterer on Autism