Synopses & Reviews
Review
"As an Aspie, I found this an excellent and readable guide. The book gives readers a better understanding of their social, intellectual, and physical strengths and weaknesses, and provides strategies for improving communication and social skills. It includes helpful techniques for choosing goals and setting course toward them. Kudos to Dr. Gaus for creating this manual--I hope it will be much read."--Eric Schissel, Ithaca, New York "Dr. Gaus presents her ideas clearly and effectively and makes terrific use of practical examples. She offers great ideas to help those on the spectrum decrease stress and maximize their progress toward life goals by understanding, fully utilizing, and celebrating their special qualities."--Gary B. Mesibov, PhD, coauthor of
Understanding Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism
"A marvelous book with extremely helpful and practical advice. This book will be of tremendous help to individuals with AS/HFA."--Fred R. Volkmar, MD, coauthor of A Practical Guide to Autism; Child Study Center, Yale University
"Valerie Gaus offers readers on the autism spectrum a positive, powerful plan for living life to the fullest. Presenting autism as a different rather than a disordered way of being, Dr. Gaus personally guides readers toward self-discovery and then shows practical ways to address challenges. As a person on the spectrum, I find Dr. Gauss examples, ideas, and approaches ring true with my own life experiences....More than just a 'must read'; this book is a 'must experience' for everyone on the autism spectrum, as well as those who support them."—from the Foreword by Stephen Shore, author of Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome
Review
"Dr. Gaus presents her ideas clearly and effectively and makes terrific use of practical examples. She offers great ideas to help those on the spectrum decrease stress and maximize their progress toward life goals by understanding, fully utilizing, and celebrating their special qualities."--Gary B. Mesibov, PhD, coauthor of
Understanding Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism
"A marvelous book with extremely helpful and practical advice. This book will be of tremendous help to individuals with AS/HFA."--Fred R. Volkmar, MD, coauthor of A Practical Guide to Autism; Child Study Center, Yale University
"Hooking the reader in with a 'yes, thats me!' example, Dr. Gaus presents the autism community with a positive, powerful plan for living life to the fullest. Thoughtful, easy-to-use worksheets help you reframe what might have been considered deficits and weaknesses of the past into differences and strengths of the present and future. More than just a 'must read,' this book is a 'must experience' for everyone on the autism spectrum and those who support them."--Stephen Shore, EdD, coauthor of Understanding Autism for Dummies
Review
"Gaus directly targets what adults and young adults with AS/HFA struggle with daily. Worksheets written in plain language will assist readers in discovering problem areas, strengths, goals, and more; recommended for ASD patients and their families."--Library Journal
Review
"On a daily basis, adults on the spectrum face stressful, frustrating, and sometimes debilitating roadblocks that most neurotypical individuals don't appreciate or understand. Author Valerie Gaus, a psychologist who has been immersed in working with spectrum adults for more than 15 years, 'gets it.' Her newest book...is a straight-talking roadmap that will provide both wind and rudder to help adults navigate daily life and meet long-term goals. Filled with practical strategies to minimize stress and maximize progress toward individual goals, this book exudes an unwavering strength-based, can-do attitude. Dr. Gaus reinterprets what could be considered deficits and weaknesses of AS/HFA into distinctive strengths that can be used to one's advantage throughout life. She infuses this attitude with candor and sensitivity...She combines an uncanny understanding of the challenges ASD presents with an array of practical, problem-solving tactics. What's different about this book is the methodical, concrete way she helps the spectrum adult assess his or her current way of thinking and functioning, recognize the patterns that are interfering with personal and professional success, and then create a customized step-by-step personal solution plan. Living Well is a powerful guide for achieving well-being in all areas of life."--Autism Asperger's Digest
Review
"Dr. Gaus presents her ideas clearly and effectively and makes terrific use of practical examples. She offers great ideas to help those on the spectrum decrease stress and maximize their progress toward life goals by understanding, fully utilizing, and celebrating their special qualities. -Gary B. Mesibov, PhD, coauthor of Understanding Asperger Syndrome and High"--Functioning Autism
Review
"Dr. Valerie L. Gaus delivers on her intent to make a user-friendly guidebook to assist with the challenges common to individuals on the autism spectrum. She directs the reader to turn such challenges into accompanying strengths in order to cope with activities of daily living....This book can be described as practical. While it is best used with high-functioning older adolescent and young adult populations, it is very easy to read and can be assigned as homework for the client to work through on his or her own. Accompanying graphics, parallel language structure, and organization reinforce concepts throughout the book....A valuable resource. If used as a reference, especially the first section can be extremely helpful in better understanding, operationalizing, and reframing the deficit areas often associated with individuals on the spectrum."--School Social Work Journal
Review
“If I was asked to define Living Well on the Spectrum in one word, the first one that comes to mind is: Pragmatic….Unlike some other books and material available, this book specifically address and opens up a dialogue on the issue of quality of life and the difference between being alive and living….The pragmatic approach within this book is commendable and most certainly one that is off the beaten path.”--Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Synopsis
Being "different" is old news for adults with Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism (AS/HFA), whether they were diagnosed as children or only recently. Meeting a huge demand and providing indispensable practical guidance, prominent therapist Valerie Gaus shows how difference can be a strength. By mastering specific coping and problem-solving skills that "neurotypical" individuals take for granted, people with AS/HFA can achieve greater success in everything from dealing with daily routines and social interactions to building a career and negotiating intimate relationships. The straight-talking, methodical writing style is expressly tailored to this audience's preferences and needs. The book is packed with questionnaires and worksheets that help readers pinpoint their areas of greatest concern and develop personalized action plans to build the life they want.
Synopsis
Navigating the "neurotypical" world with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism (AS/HFA) can be extremely stressful. But by understanding the specific ways your brain works differently--and how to tap into your personal strengths--you can greatly enhance your well-being. In this wise and practical book, experienced therapist Valerie L. Gaus helps you identify goals that will make your life better and take concrete steps to achieve them. Grounded in psychological science, the techniques in this book help you: *Learn the unspoken rules of social situations.*Improve your communication skills.*Get organized at home and at work.*Manage anxiety and depression.*Strengthen your relationships with family and friends.*Live more successfully on your own or with others. A wealth of stories, questionnaires, worksheets, and concrete examples help you find personalized solutions to problems you are likely to encounter. Finally, a compassionate, knowledgeable, positive guide to living well on the spectrum.
About the Author
Valerie L. Gaus, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Long Island, New York, where she lives with her husband and two children. With more than 15 years of experience providing mental health services to people with autism spectrum disorders, Dr. Gaus serves on the advisory board of the Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association and has lectured internationally on Asperger syndrome and related topics. She is the author of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult Asperger Syndrome, a bestselling book for therapists.
Table of Contents
Foreword,
Stephen ShoreIntroduction. How to Get the Most Out of This Book
I. Life on the Spectrum1. A Typical Day in Your Life: Problems and Solutions2. A Unique Brain: How Thinking Differences Can Affect Your Daily Life3. How Social Differences Can Be Vulnerabilities and Strengths4. The Role of Your Emotional Differences5. How Sensory and Movement Differences Can Affect Your Interactions with Your Environment
II. Positive Solutions for a Quality Life6. Positive Solutions: Your Bag of Tricks7. At Home8. At Work9. At School10. In the Community11. Building Friendships12. Dating, Sex, and Marriage13. Health14. Putting Yourself in Charge of Your Life and Finding Help When You Need ItAppendix: Problem-Solving WorksheetResources