Aspertools: A Practical Guide for Understanding and Embracing Asperger's, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Neurodiversity

Aspertools offers advice from three perspectives, with that of a special needs education teacher, Pati Fizzano, as well as inspirational stories from Dr Reitman’s daughter, Rebecca, about her own experience, for understanding and managing life with an Aspie. It includes tips to make daily life less frustrating and more productive, focusing on the importance of positive routines, coping with social awkwardness and creating stability in daily activities.

Including tips on how to cope with social anxiety through preparation, encouragement and lists; how to effect positive changes in behaviour by utilising rules, rewards and consequences; how to decrease the frequency of meltdowns by providing an escape route to ‘a safe place’. This comprehensive and accessible work will open up the opportunity of a fulfilling life for everyone with a different brain – no matter the label.

Dr Harold Reitman’s daughter, Rebecca, was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in her twenties. She explained the diagnosis to her father as:

“Brains are like snowflakes – no two are alike.”

Dr Reitman immediately realised that his good intentions as a parent had been off-course when bringing up his daughter as he could not understand the landscape of Rebecca’s mind and feelings. This is the book he wishes that he had had access to when Rebecca was a child and teenager.

Harold Reitman outlines how Aspies process information differently in a way that affects their daily life and provides practical, self-administered tools to manage life inside and outside the home.