Sex, Drugs and Asperger's Syndrome (ASD): A User Guide to Adulthood

by Luke Jackson, Dr Anthony Attwood (Foreword by)

Overview

Luke Jackson's unabridged and sparkling sequel to his best-selling user guide to adolescence Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome is the must-read handbook for teenagers and young adults on the autism spectrum. With devastating clarity, Luke focuses on the pitfalls involved in navigating the transition to adulthood, and the challenges of adult life. He covers everything from bullying and drugs to socialising, sex, negotiating relationships, and finding and keeping your first job.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781784501396
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	02/21/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	16 - 18 Years

About the Author

Luke Jackson is 26 years old and has Asperger Syndrome. He is the best-selling author of Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome, also published by JKP.

Luke Jackson is 13 years old and has three sisters and three brothers. One of his brothers has AD/HD, one is autistic and Luke has Asperger Syndrome.

Luke Jackson, Jacqui Jackson and the rest of their family were featured in a documentary on BBC2 which you can read about on the BBC website. Luke also recorded a column for BBC Radio 4's Home Truths programme. You can hear it online.

Tony Attwood, PhD, is a clinical psychologist from Brisbane, Australia, with over 30 years of experience with individuals with autism spectrum disorders. He is currently Adjunct Professor at Griffith University in Queensland.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction. 1.1. Meet the Family. 1.2. A Layman's Guide to Asperger's. 1.3. Sensory Issues and Autism. 2. Pitfalls of Adolescence and Beyond. 2.1. Under Pressure. 2.2. Spoken Peer Pressure. 2.3. Unspoken Peer Pressure. 2.4. Coping with it All. 3. Work and Education. 3.1. Further Education and the After School Club. 3.2. Higher Education, Whatever That Is. 4. Bullying. 4.1. ...And How It Still Happens. 4.2. Preventative Measures. 4.3. Confidence is Key. 5. Going Out and Staying In. 5.1. New Places and New Faces. 5.2. Staying In: The Calm After the Storm. 5.3. Upping Your Dating Game. 6. Sex and Relationships. 6.1. Big Dumb Sex. 6.2. Relationships and How to Cope. 7. Growing Up. 7.1. Out with the Old and In with the New. 7.2. Employment and Coping with Unemployment. 8. Final Thoughts. Further Reading. Index.

Editorial Reviews

I enjoyed reading Luke's book immensely and will be recommending it to the majority of my teen/young adult counselling clients in the hope that it will go some way towards assisting them through the years of 'storm and strife' that accompanies this particular passage of time. Luke has managed to cover many facets of 'growing up', including dating and sex among other things. However, his book is not for the parent who wishes to keep their 15-year-old wrapped in a blanket of innocence, for Luke tells it 'how it is', with a no holds barred approach. Using correct descriptors for body parts and various sexual acts, there is an absence of euphemisms. Luke writes from an autobiographical perspective, not claiming to be an expert. What is clear though is that he is an 'expert by experience' and conveys his knowledge deftly like a wise old professor!

Action for Asperger's - Elaine Nicholson

Reading Sex, Drugs and Asperger's Syndrome feels like having a conversation with an older brother or cousin. He advises without preaching, explains without boring and throws in enough jokes to make the entire reading experience thoroughly enjoyable... From bullying to drugs, employment to nights out, and mental health to sex, it includes the entire spectrum of life without judgement, leaving no stone unturned and rendering no subject taboo... Powerful, honest, funny and friendly, Sex, Drugs and Asperger's Syndrome is a must-read.

Disability Now - Penny Gotch

With wisdom beyond his years and the mastery of an expressionist artist, Luke guides the reader through the rocky shoals of successful transition from adolescence to adulthood as a person on the autism spectrum. A straightforward, honest must read for anyone seeking greater understanding of the coming of age of the human soul, autistic or otherwise.

Stephen Mark Shore

Sex, Drugs and Asperger's Syndrome is one of my favorite books this year. Luke Jackson provides the reader with an in-depth understanding of many relevant issues regarding both Asperger's Syndrome as well as autism in general. This includes employment, bullying, sexuality, relationships, and much more. The autism community and society as a whole will benefit greatly from these much needed discussions.

Stephen M. Edelson

This is a brilliant book. Luke writes beautifully, engagingly and with wisdom. There is nothing he shirks, it is all there, all the drugs, all the pitfalls of relationships, all the social gaffes and mistakes, all described with humour and without judgement.

Autistica - Jude Ragan

03/01/2016
Jackson wrote Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence at age 13. Now he returns at age 26 to share all that he has learned, both the good and the challenging, about becoming an adult, living with Asperger's, and finding his place in the world. With candid humor, the author shares his experiences in becoming an adult and what that means to him. He explores the difficulties he and many others with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) deal with, such as finding work, social scenes, bullying, drug use, sexual relationships, and friendships. A consistent message throughout is the acceptance of differences in yourself and others. Jackson encourages those on the spectrum to embrace and own those qualities that make them unique and to use them to their advantage. VERDICT Jackson's personal and brutally honest take on being an adult with ASD is eye-opening and refreshing. A valuable read for teens and adults with ASD as well as parents, siblings, employers, teachers, caregivers, friends, and partners of those on the spectrum. Jackson's view that acceptance of oneself is the first hurdle; welcoming others is key as well.—Lisa Jordan, Johnson Cty. Lib., Overland Park, KS

Library Journal