Happy Holidays!

Damian and I are pleased to finally announce our book, Asperger Download. Damian was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome twelve years ago; I, on the other hand, was diagnosed as Damian's mum seventeen years ago.

Let me say right away that Damian was the driving force behind the creation of this book. He wanted to share both his positive and negative experiences of being a teen with AS with the wider community of teen males with AS. In particular, he wanted to share how he dealt with life's challenges during his teenage years.

My role throughout the writing process was to represent the neutral voice, and the voice of the parent/guardian. Asperger Download is also a culmination of our Asperger journey together as mother and son.

Even though the writing process was not as easy as we would have liked, there were times of elation and joy We believe this resource will not only benefit male teens with AS , but also provide parents and educators with further insight and understanding. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed (at least most of the time!) writing it.

Yours truly,

Josie Santomauro (currently studying for master's degree in creative writing)
Damian Santomauro (currently studying for a Bachelor of Science degree)

Other Books for Young Adults by AAPC …

	Becoming Remarkably Able: Walking the Path to Talents, Interests, and Personal Growth For Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Related Disabilities by Jackie Marquette, Ph.D.
	Asperger Syndrome:An Owner's Manual 2 For Older Adolescents and Adults:What You,Your Parents and Friends, and Your Employer Need to Know by Ellen S. Heller Korin, M.Ed
	A 5 Is Against the Law! Social Boundaries: Straight Up! An honest guide for teens and young adults by Kari Dunn Buron

Excerpt:

GOSSIP - Whispering, rumor, scandalous talk

Gossip is small talk, rumors and stuff. It's not nice to gossip about people, though I have to admit that I do it sometimes; most people do. At my school, I do more listening than passing it on. I have to remember not to think that it is all true. People did a little gossip about me when someone typed my name in Google and found information on Asperger and me. People were like "What? What's this?" and there was a little talking going around; nothing big. I just ignored it.
o Damian

To know the difference between gossip and non-gossip, ask yourself, "Would I say this to the person's face?" If you wouldn't, but you would say it to somebody else, then it's probably gossip. For example, I complain to a friend, "Damian is so annoying; his room is always untidy and so messy." Because this is something that I always tell Damian anyhow, to his face, it isn't gossip. But if I said to a friend, ''Damian is such a pain; I wish he'd move out," and this is something I wouldn't say to Damian's face, then it is gossip. You may be very literal and truly believe what people tell you. It is quite common for persons with Asperger Syndrome to be very black and white in their thinking. When in doubt, ask a good friend or an adult to help you sort things out.
o Josie

KISSING - When one person's lips touch another person's lips
Kissing is something people like to do when they have feelings for each other. It is basically when people press their lips together. More can be done in kissing, such as the use of tongue. The feelings that are present when people kiss can be different every time. It can be a love feeling (see Love), or it can be a feeling of lust, which is more sexual than love. I suggest that if you want to kiss a girl, you prepare yourself and go over the situation first in your mind. If you and the person you want to kiss are together as a dating couple, then it is probably appropriate. If you are not together, it is inappropriate to kiss if the person doesn't feel the same way. You can never just go up to someone and kiss without warning, because not only is that scary to the person you kissed, it is also socially unacceptable. In fact, it can be illegal because it can be seen as harassment.
o Damian

Very good advice, Damian. If you want to learn more or practice kissing, watch movies - and see lots of different types of kissing - soft, hard, quick, long, and so on. Don't be too nervous or stressed out when you are going to kiss; just relax, and it will come naturally to you. There are different types of kissing, from a kiss on the cheek for your grandmother to a romantic kiss for your girlfriend. Ultimately, if you don't want to do it, don't!
o Josie