Autism/Aspergers: Solving the Relationship Puzzle

Rating:
Summary: May I Have This Dance? (The Relationship Puzzle in Autism)
Review: Dr. Gutstein's book describes a six-phase intervention program for teaching people with Autism/Asperger Syndrome to desire, enjoy, and participate in meaningful relationships, which in turn will enhance their lives. His program is entitled Relational Development Intervention (RDI), and is a new approach for a social skills program. It is well known that early intervention is the key for proven effective results with children who have an Autistic disorder, and he advocates this strongly.

The book is more than a theory, as Dr. Gutstein shares some of his actual patient examples as proof that the program can make a major change in our children's lives. He takes the theory out of the classroom and puts it into practice in the real world. His past experiences of being a medical school professor and his private practice experiences have been instrumental in the development of his program. He helps parents understand the social deficits in their children who have Autism, and provides a guideline for them to follow in describing his treatment plan.

As a parent of a child who has Asperger Syndrome, I was encouraged to learn that some of my suspicions are founded in fact. I found myself nodding in concurrence as I read about how some of our children are motivated to relate to objects, while people are being their captive audiences; and was encouraged to learn how his program worked with developing Experience Sharing in our children.

For me the book was like having a world atlas at my fingertips. I could easily see where we have been, and can get an overview of the terrain ahead. I know that working with our son will be a life long project, and finding a program that helps him have a more productive life later by teaching him relationship skills now is a gift that I can give him.

Some day my child will dance. Right now I hear the orchestra tuning up for that dance; therefore, I will continue with the dance lessons for now to prepare him (and me) for that swan song event.

This book is an added asset to a parent's resource collection of books on working with our Autistic family members.

Rating:
Summary: Father of grateful Houston patient
Review: Even having lived with the first reviewer from the day of his birth, I did not fully understand this disorder until I met Steve and then read this book. It is almost impossible for the non-AS person to grasp what these people cannot do. That is because the rest of the world does effortlesly as an integral part of their being what AS people cannot even grasp. But they can! This book shows that it can be done. AS never goes away, but life can become more than just tolerable for AS people, they can experience the joy of fully being alive. All it takes is a great psychologist, with great insight. Here are his many stories and how he gets it done! A must for those with AS and their loved ones. A good idea for the rest of us so that we might understand what it means to be human.

Rating:
Summary: Solving the relationship puzzle
Review: Gutstein's book has far reaching social value beyond that of Autism. I think of his work RDI as soul building, something our society desperately needs. Gutstein takes apart the developmental elements of social/personal connection without losing the sense of mystery that there is in relationships. ie. He analyses the kiss without reducing it to a technicality. Although steps are given once you have grasped the content of the book there is room for the individuals creativity and intuition to take the material and run with it.
I feel strongly that this book should be required reading for all psych, forensic and Social work students as it goes to the core of our ability to relate to other individuals and society.

Rating:
Summary: Dense book in search of an editor
Review: Gutstein's premise -- that people on the spectrum need to learn emotional sharing -- is quite a different approach from the standard therapies. Most therapies work on functional skills, whereas Gutstein works on functional motivation. The two go hand-in-hand, and that's where his book has value. However, it's not a very readable book, and it needs extensive editing to be accessible to its preferred audience of parents and therapists. Look instead for one of his two follow-up books, which give an overview of RDI and also provide specific exercises.

Rating:
Summary: Building Blocks to Socialization
Review: Hats off to Dr. Gutstein for his focus on socialization in individuals with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. His "carrot minus the stick" approach in helping people on the autism spectrum perceive benefits in social interaction is an invaluable insight. I like the way he concentrates on building strengths and providing explanations for more severe autism-spectrum behaviors.

He uses what appears to me a very reasonable approach. For many people with autism, sequencing or breaking tasks and interactions down into process-friendly steps has proven helpful. He also explains how people by nature crave socialization and that people on the autism spectrum do not have the intuitive social knowledge, such as how long and when to maintain eye contact. To his credit, he does not lapse into a tired "Rain Man" stereotype; instead, he focuses on how to encourage people with autism to develop nonverbal as well as other interpersonal social skills. In just about every case, people with autism learn these behaviors cognitively and often by repeated efforts.

This book certainly deserves a place of honor among professionals and families. It is for everybody.

Rating:
Summary: From a Mom - This Works!
Review: I am mom to a quite adorable 4 year-old with Asperger/Autism/HFA....every year a different label..but by any other name, he's still as sweet. I wanted to pour out all the help I could give him. I devoured hosts of books on all the labels. Every book was an eye-opening, informative, helpful tool along our journey, but Dr. Gutsteins book was the journey itself! The journey my son must embark on to be a participant in the human relational experience and not just an observer. To loose himself in the shared giggles of a pal. To be stirred inside by a knowing smile or glance. To embrace the wonderment, spontaneity and magic of play. To see himself through the eyes of others. To walk in step with a friend. This is what my son was missing. It is elusive, hard to grasp or put into words. I knew my son needed something yet to be addressed by any of the books I had read or professionals I had consulted. It was as if Dr. Gutsteins book quenched an aching thirst. The book is a practical treatment approach called RDI. Do not be misled by the simplicity of the treatment methods. The "games" are simple, but powerful! Do not skim the book or skip through the chapters, read it, read it again. ...After reading the book, my son became a patient at the Connections Center. The RDI treatment has already unlocked a door to a lifetime of relational joy for my son. He has come so far in an amazingly short time. We will continue our journey and I hope many others will discover their journey as well.

Rating:
Summary: From a Mom - This Works!
Review: I am mom to a quite adorable 4 year-old with Asperger/Autism/HFA....every year a different label..but by any other name, he's still as sweet. I wanted to pour out all the help I could give him. I devoured hosts of books on all the labels. Every book was an eye-opening, informative, helpful tool along our journey, but Dr. Gutsteins book was the journey itself! The journey my son must embark on to be a participant in the human relational experience and not just an observer. To loose himself in the shared giggles of a pal. To be stirred inside by a knowing smile or glance. To embrace the wonderment, spontaneity and magic of play. To see himself through the eyes of others. To walk in step with a friend. This is what my son was missing. It is elusive, hard to grasp or put into words. I knew my son needed something yet to be addressed by any of the books I had read or professionals I had consulted. It was as if Dr. Gutsteins book quenched an aching thirst. The book is a practical treatment approach called RDI. Do not be misled by the simplicity of the treatment methods. The "games" are simple, but powerful! Do not skim the book or skip through the chapters, read it, read it again. ...After reading the book, my son became a patient at the Connections Center. The RDI treatment has already unlocked a door to a lifetime of relational joy for my son. He has come so far in an amazingly short time. We will continue our journey and I hope many others will discover their journey as well.

Rating:
Summary: From a grateful patient
Review: I have worked with Steve Gutstein for over 10 years now as a patient and sufferer of Asperger's Disorder, and I have never had as much hope for my own success and well-being as I have now, after reading this book. It's truly remarkable that someone who does not himself suffer from the disorder could have so much insight into the delicate intricacies of human social dances and the troubles that people like me have in deciphering and processing their nuances. If you do read this book (as you definetly should), you will come to know me as Roger, and you will read my confusing and troubling story of struggle, frustration, and success, as well as those of many other patients Steve has dedicated his time to. These stories are not just for psychologists and Asperger's sufferers. They are for anyone who needs a reminder about what makes social interaction so wonderful and why sometimes, the most simple forms of communication can lead to the most wonderful encounters. Along with the remarkable stories, of course, is the clinical side of Steve's work. Although I am not a psychologist, and do not have an extensive knowledge of the literature on autism and AS, I find the outline of Steve's methods for treatment logical, concise, easy to understand, and above all, correct. I only hope that in time, people take in Steve's message and work to seriously incorporate autism and AS sufferers into their lives by helping them find THEIR OWN path, not choosing one for them. This book will hopefully mark a crtical turning point in the history of the treatment of AS and autism, and I am honored to be a part of it.