Published by The National Autistic Society, March 2001, 120pp, paperback, (Code NAS412)
ISBN 1 899280 37 5 [£6.00]

Maxine Aston is a marriage counselor in England.  This book, the first of its kind describing the impact of Asperger Syndrome on couples' relationships, is the product of her observations and research as a counselor with a national marital counseling service in England.  With the encouragement of Brenda Wall, a therapist knowledgeable about Asperger Syndrome, Venetia Young, a physician in practice in Coventry who specializes in treatment of adults with Asperger Syndrome, and Tony Attwood, the "Johnny Apple Seed" of public awareness about Asperger Syndrome, Maxine has written the first "between the covers" explanation of Asperger Syndrome and its effect on marriage.

Written in a common-sense, plain language style, Ms. Aston removes the veil of mystery and secrecy surrounding troubled marriages where one partner has been diagnosed or suspected of being on the high functioning end of the autistic spectrum, and the other partner is not autistic.  The first part of her attractively printed book describes the clinical features of Asperger Syndrome as manifested in intimate adult relationships.  Her explanation of the impact of Asperger Syndrome on the marriage and on children and family members is clear, concise and accurate.  The second half of her book outlines survival strategies, supportive techniques, tips and tricks to help both partners navigate the shoals of troubled communication, social involvement with the outside world, and psychological self-care essential for both partners to co-exist and develop their relationship.

Since Asperger Syndrome is a recently identified pervasive developmental disorder, the book is valuable for spouses in new marriages as well as old ones.   The author tackles the dynamics of how the partners can deal with the phenomenon of a new diagnosis that accurately fits behavior inaccurately diagnosed--if diagnosed at all--in the past.

While written primarily for the partners themselves, this book is of equal in introducing adult Asperger Syndrome to professional counselors, teachers and program administrators dealing with Asperger Syndrome adults, their partners, and parents of children diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, and family members interested in understanding adult Asperger Syndrome in "one of our own."

"The Other Half of Asperger Syndrome" has a brief foreword written by Tony Attwood.  American reviewers presently reading the book include:

Stephen Shore, author of "Beyond the Wall--Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome"; married "with"

Liane Holliday Willey, author of "Pretending to be Normal" and "Asperger Syndrome and the Family--Redefining Normal";  married "with"

Edgar Schneider, author of "Discovering my Autism- An Apologia Pro Vita Sua"; married "with"

Kathy Grant, autism activist and autism organization founder, multiple organizations board member and writer; formerly married "with"

Rachelle Sheely and Steve Gutstein, psychologists and relationship counselors; Gutstein is author of "Autism/Asperger Syndrome--Solving the Relationship Puzzle"

Other readers, spouses of partners on the autistic spectrum, as well as spectrum spouses will be submitting their reviews and comments on the book.  The demand for this book is already very high.  The need for it is unquestioned.

The book is currently available in England only through a fulfillment center under contract with the National Autistic Society.  Another distributor, Mental Health Resources of New York State, will be offering a very complete selection of NAS publications in the near future.

To order, see the NAS online catalog: www.nas.org.uk/pubs/pubscat/family.html