Spouse's Guide to Asperger Syndrome and Related Disorders

All marriages and committed relationships are fraught with ups and downs, and when one of the partners has an autism spectrum disorder the challenges are often compounded. This should come as no surprise when considering that the core characteristics of ASD relate to communication, social skills, executive functioning, theory of mind, and sensory issues. This book is written for those in a relationship who are seeking understanding, help, and hope for a successful relationship with someone who has either been diagnosed with an ASD or is suspected of having Asperger Syndrome, autism, or pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified PDD-NOS. Based on the real-life experiences of non-spectrum (NS) partners, collected through questionnaires or interviews, the book presents an honest picture of many, while certainly not all, NS-ASD relationships. Detailed tips and suggestions are provided throughout, making this a practical and useful resource. It features foreword by Tony Attwood and Afterword by Stephen Shore.