DVD-Asperger Syndrome - A Different Mind - narrated by Simon Baron-Cohen

[Stephen]

I think this is an excellent DVD which is narrated by Simon Baron-Cohen, well worth watching, especially for parents of an Asperger child, easily watch able, short at only 30 minutes, precise and to the point.

This DVD presents viewers with the opportunity to both see and hear about the nature of Asperger Syndrome from children and young adults themselves who have Asperger’s, as well as from a doctor who specialises in Asperger’s Syndrome and the assessment and diagnoses of, school teachers and families.

An excellent introduction to Asperger Syndrome, with real-life video footage from a range of contexts and settings, showing the lives of six AS-diagnosed individuals who range in age from 5 to 22. This resource: - Introduces the viewer to the special interests, characteristics and differences of people with AS - Highlights the positive and recent developments diagnosing, understanding and supporting those with AS.

I wasn’t diagnosed with Asperger’s until well in to adult hood, however I really am able to relate to how the children feel and what they are going through in the school environment. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this DVD, brought tears to my eyes as it brought back memories of what hell and misery, the nightmare I went through at school.

I am going to show this to my parents so they are able to gain an insight of the misery, torment, agony and nightmare school was for me and how a little bit of support and understanding would have helped and made my school life so much easier.

This DVD doesn’t really include any self-help techniques and tends to present the more extreme end of each of our Asperger traits.

Due to the cost of this DVD I would not suggest someone go buy the DVD to get at. Instead pop along to the local library or Asperger/Autistic branch and save your money. After borrowing and watching it make your own decision as to whether or not this is a resource you really need to buy.



Title: Asperger Syndrome A Different Mind (University of Cambridge)
Price: £19.99
Format: PAL & NTSC (DVD contains both formats)
Region: Region 2
Number of discs: 1
Classification: Exempt
Studio: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Note: The doctor in this DVD who makes a diagnoses of Asperger’s Syndrome is a specialist in AS. She interviews the mother then a separate interview with the child at home which takes about half a day then spends another half a day observing the child at their school, she is then able to make a diagnoses.

In a video I was watching produced by the Royal Children’s Hospital and University of Melbourne in Australia, Tony Attwoods neck of the woods, they state one requires to be assessed by a minimum of a Psychologist, Paediatrician and Speech Pathologist in order to make a diagnoses. I counted a total of 6 in the team for the assessment and diagnoses process.

Under my review of The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome by Tony Attwood I mention “This book rather labours over the detail of how an assessment is carried out.” I am now able to see why Tony Attwood makes the assessment and diagnoses process of Asperger’s and Asperger’s Syndrome in general far more complicated than is necessary.