How to Be Yourself in a World That's Different

Yuko Yoshida, M.D., is a child psychiatrist at the Yokohama Psycho-Developmental Clinic in Japan, which specializes in diagnosing and treating children with autism spectrum and other developmental disorders. She is also Managing Director of the Institute of PsychoEducation for Children. She has over 20 years' clinical experience and has taken training courses taught by Lorna Wing and Judith Gould, and she is one of only a handful of professionals in Japan certified to use the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO). She has previously authored a book on raising children with Asperger's Syndrome and has co-translated into Japanese The Autistic Spectrum: A Guide for Parents & Professionals by Lorna Wing.

Adolescents diagnosed with AS and related disorders are often uninformed about their condition. Here, Yoshida offers basic, unadorned information about AS, including symptoms-tactile hypersensitivity, problems with coordination and emotion regulation-side effects associated with the condition (depression, anxiety, AD/HD) and advice on seeking help. Without ducking the many challenges that these adolescents face on a daily basis, the author proves a compassionate, understanding guide, adept at conveying the most important aspects of diagnosis, treatment and coping strategies. There is also a section about related disorders, and plenty of case studies that demonstrate crucial learned behaviours and the development of sharp social skills. Accessible and encouraging.