Coming Out Asperger

Diagnosis, Disclosure and Self-Confidence

Dinah Murray

• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
• Year: 2005
• Print ISBN: 9781843102403
• eBook ISBN: 9781846424502
• Topic: Psychology
• Subtopic: Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Index: Psychology

Coming Out Asperger explores the complexity of diagnosis for Asperger Syndrome, the drawbacks and benefits of disclosing a diagnosis of a 'hidden disability,' and how this impinges on self-esteem. The contributors include some of the best-known and most exciting writers in the field of Asperger Syndrome (AS) today, and include individuals on the autism spectrum, parents and professionals. The broad range of the chapters, which draw on anecdotal, professional and research-based evidence, make this book a comprehensive and highly original consideration of the implications of an AS diagnosis.

The ever-difficult question of who to tell and when once a diagnosis has been confirmed is discussed in great depth. Liane Holliday Willey and Stephen Shore examine the dynamics of disclosure, its risks and the possible effect on self-confidence. Jacqui Jackson looks at how a diagnosis impacts upon family life. Tony Attwood provides a clinician's view of diagnosing adults, and Lynne Moxon, Wendy Lawson, Dora Georgiou and Jane Meyerding discuss adult issues surrounding disclosure, including how to deal with relationships and sexuality, and disclosure in the workplace, as well as social and disability issues.

A unique and fascinating insight into the important issue of diagnosis disclosure, this book is an essential guide for people with AS, parents, teachers, professionals and all those who have ever felt confused about revealing a personal issue.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Of Related Interest
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Acknowledgements
• Contents
• Introduction
• 1. To tell or not to tell: that is the Aspie
• 2. Diagnosis in adults
• 3. Confidence, self-confidence and social confidence
• 4. Psychiatry and Asperger syndrome
• 5. Being told or being told off?
• 6. Mental health issues surrounding diagnosis, disclosure and self-confidence in the context of Asperger syndrome
• 7. One that got away
• 8. ‘Why’s it all so difficult?’ Sharing the diagnosis with the young person
• 9. Telling peers at school about Asperger syndrome: thoughts on how and why
• 10. Disclosure at secondary school: sharing the news of Asperger syndrome with a young person’s peer group
• 11. The Conversation
• 12. Disclosure: talking about what makes us human
• 13. Disclosure: a parent’s perspective
• 14. Coming out, various
• 15. Diagnosis, disclosure and self-confidence in sexuality and relationships
• 16. Diagnosis in adulthood and community disclosure
• 17. Coming out autistic at work
• 18. Disclosing to the authorities
• Contributor_Biographies
• Subject_Index
• Author_Index