UBC Press Diagnosis Asparagus book Paperback

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.

Eva Penrose is 16 years old and has had a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome since she was 11. Catherine O'Halloran is her mother and a speech and language therapist. She has worked in special schools and specialist units with young people with autism in the UK and Australia for more than 20 years. Catherine and Eva live in West Yorkshire, UK.