The difficulties faced by people with Asperger Syndrome (AS) cannot be underestimated, but the emotional problems experienced by those who support them - partners, family and friends - are often over-looked. Focusing on what is referred to as the Cassandra phenomenon, where the neurotypical partner often needs more emotional guidance than the AS partner, this volume gathers together letters, thoughts and poems to give voice to the loneliness, frustration and love felt by many individuals who are close to one or more people with AS. Assembled by FAAAS (Families of Adults Afflicted with Asperger's Syndrome), a well-known support group specifically for family members, friends and loved ones of people with AS, this collection will provide the emotional support, insight and understanding needed to deal with the emotions that AS evokes within close relationships
Acknowledgements. Terminology. Preface. 1. Asperger's Syndrome and its Effect upon the Families, FAAAS, Inc., USA, 2002. 2. Cassandra Phenomenon, FAAAS, Inc., 2000. 3. The Family Aspect of Asperger's Syndrome, Linda Demer, UCLA, 2002. 4. Things I have Learnt About Asperger's SyndromeGǪ, Brenda Wall, UK, 2002. 5. Behind a Glass Wall, Marguerite Long, Australia, 1997. 6. Is Anyone Listening?, Karen E. Rodman, USA, 1997. 7. Be Careful What You Wish For, Anonymous, New Jersey, 2002. 8. Asperger's Dungeon, Dawn O'Neil, USA, 2002. 9. Living with an AS Son, E.G., USA, 2002. 10. A Commentary, Anonymous, USA, 2000. 11. A Failed Marriage, Anonymous. 12. Asperger's Syndrome, Obsessions, etc., Anonymous, USA, 2000. 13. Naked Hands, Kathy Read, USA, 2002. 14. Personal Reflections on a Relationship with an Adult who has the Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome, Anonymous, USA, 2000. 15. When We Married, Anonymous, 2001. 16. When Cassandra was Very, Very Young, Judy Singer, Australia, 2002. 17. Roses and Cacti, Marguerite Long, Australia, 2000. 18. Loneliness IsGǪ, Karen E. Rodman, USA, 1995. 19. BobbyGǪ, Bobby's Mom, Vicki, USA, 2000. 20. Life With My AS Mother, Paula, Canada, 2002. 21. Disconnecting from the Treadmill, Regina, New York, 2001. 22. When Love is Not Enough, Brenda Wall, UK, 1997. 23. My Corner, Yvette Gerhardt, USA, 2003. 24. My Older AS SonGǪ, Anonymous, New Zealand, 2002. 25. Tempest and Sunshine, Cynthia Marchant, USA, 1990. 26. AS Awareness: A Path Out of the Darkness, Debbie, USA, 2000. 27. Passive Aggression, Marguerite Long, Australia, 2002. 28. Six Generations of AS, A seventy-plus -year-young anonymous male, USA. 29. Trying to Describe our Situation, ""Sharon"", USA, 2000. 30. O Negative, Anonymous, USA, 2002. 31. Knowing is Understanding, Understanding is Accepting: A Note of Encouragement, Annemarieke, USA, 2002. 32. The End into a Beginning, Anonymous, USA, 2002. 33. Untitled, Maxine Aston, UK, 2002. 34. Come With Me, Dawn O'Neil, USA, 2002.
