Diagnosis Asparagus: Advocating for Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Conditions

By: Eva Penrose and Catherine O'Halloran

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Synopsis: A highly readable, insightful and sometimes humorous account of autism assessment, diagnosis and life with a 'label'. Eva was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome (ASD) at age 11 and is now a fun-loving, sociable 16-year-old. This book, co-written with her mother, a speech and language therapist, discusses their reasons for seeking a diagnosis, the process of being assessed, their reactions to the news and the impact it has had on Eva's life. It also considers how diagnosis has helped them find strategies to lessen the challenges of living with an ASD. Concluding that it doesn't really matter whether the name for the set of traits that characterise autism changes or what it changes to, this life-affirming book shows diagnosis to be a positive and empowering experience. It will be helpful to any family embarking on the assessment process as well as professionals looking for insight into a family's diagnosis journey.