[.ca] Asperger Syndrome And Bullying (ISBN 1843108461)

Let's All Propose a Toast to Nick Dubin!:
Nick Dubin's book is a Godsend. It's as simple as that. This brilliant work on bullying children with Asperger's Syndrome, which is the spectrum partner to autism is long overdue. With candor and unflinching insights, Dubin has not only included statistics; a list of helpful websites; a bibliography and clearly drawn vignettes about bullying and the dynamics of bullying, he has written several clear chapters about how people can be empowered. Educators, parents and spectators have been provided with checklists of bullying behavior and ways to help end it. One of my favorite parts in this book was when Nick Dubin related a boyhood incident wherein two peers hounded and harassed him and tricked him into being locked into a pair of handcuffs. Luckily, his father caught the bullies in the act and got Nick to tell him what was really going on. When the bullies came by Nick's home shortly after the incident, Nick's father made it clear that he was not taken in by their blandishments and cock and bull story; he defended Nick and made it plain that he would not tolerate kids mistreating his son. You can respect him. I love the way he defended Nick and did not let himself be conned and beguiled by Other People's Children. Sadly, in the case of children on the autism spectrum, peers are not the treat adults often hype them to be. Many children with autism view peers as threats and will understandably go to great lengths to avoid them. Only a masochist would want to endure abuse and sadly many children with autism suffer it on a routine daily basis. Peers are generally the chief offenders. Nick illustrates excellent examples of this by citing several glaring incidents from his own boyhood. Peers would ask Nick to perform and Nick went along with it, little realizing that his peers were setting him up for ridicule. That was bad enough, but when one boy called him "R*** M**," which is a slur in the autism/Asperger's world, he crossed a line. The boy told Nick that only R*** M** would share Nick's special interests and used this cruel epithet to Nick. That term is every bit as offensive as any ethnic/racial/religious/nationality slur and is always best avoided. I really wish the savant stereotype could be put to rest once and for good! All too often, children on the spectrum are targeted for peer and, in some cases teacher abuse because of social difficulties and lack of social savvy and understanding. An even more upsetting part to this is that all too often children on the autism spectrum are blamed for their social challenges. It is time for the buck to stop and this is as good a place as any. I really think we all should raise our glasses to this incredible author and this wonderful book! All parents and educators should have a copy and this book deserves a place of honor for all.