What Men with Asperger Syndrome Want to Know about Women, Dating and Relationships

Maxine Aston is a qualified counsellor, trainer and supervisor specialising in Asperger syndrome. She has worked with almost two thousand clients with Asperger syndrome, and runs workshops for therapists and professionals who come into contact with adolescents or adults with Asperger syndrome. Maxine also offers assessments for clients who suspect they may be on the autism spectrum. She has an MSc in Health Psychology and is the author of Asperger's in Love and The Asperger Couple's Workbook, both also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. She is a regular speaker at national and international conferences, and lives in Coventry, UK.

Foreword by Tony Attwood.; Introduction.; Part I: The Dating Game.; Question One: What is the best way to meet someone?; Question Two: How do I know if she is attracted to me?; Question Three: How do I ask her out?; Question Four: What should I talk about on the first date?; Question Five: How do I know when or if to take it further?; Question Six: When is it OK to expect sex?; Question Seven: What if it all goes wrong?; Part II: The Relationship.; Question Eight: Why are women so complicated?; Question Nine: I feel that whatever I do it will be wrong, is it my entire fault?; Question Ten: I get to a point that I feel I want to run away as I cannot discuss my feelings or argue anymore. Why won't she just let me go?; Question Eleven: She asks me what I feel/or why I love her and before I can answer she has become reactive/angry/upset/critical. Why?; Question Twelve: She tells me I have a communication problem and yet I have been complimented on my communication at work? Who is right here?; Question Thirteen: I feel like she pushes me until I react and then acts the victim and blames me for getting angry. Why does she do this?; Question Fourteen: Why is she always criticising me?; Question Fifteen: Why does she always exaggerate?; Question Sixteen: She accuses me of not saying what I mean, but then if I do she becomes upset or argues with me. Why?; Question Seventeen: Why does she not appreciate all I do for her (and the family)?; Question Eighteen: My only purpose seems to be to work and earn the money, is this all I am worth?; Question Nineteen: My partner complains that I come in from work and won't start discussing the day with her. I find this really difficult and she does not understand. Why is she so demanding?; Question Twenty: My partner complains I spend too much time on the internet and not enough time with her, and yet when I try to spend time with her she just wants me to watch soaps! I think she is being unreasonable. Is she?; Question Twenty-one: Why can't she allow me the space I need?; Question Twenty-two: Why does she resent my family and interests so much?; Question Twenty-three: My partner keeps nagging me to get rid of my possessions. She does not understand how important they are to me. What can I do?; Question Twenty-four: My wife does not seem to know how to load a dishwasher and yet when I rearrange the contents she has a fit at me. Why is it such a big deal?; Question Twenty-five: Why does she have to tell her mother/best friend everything?; Question Twenty-six: She constantly accuses me of not listening to her and forgetting what she has told me. Is she making this up to put me down?; Question Twenty-seven: Why can't she just be happy, I am doing my best?; Question Twenty-eight: Why does she get angry/upset if I don't call/text her at least once a day?; Question Twenty-nine: Why are cards and gifts so important to her?; Question Thirty: Why does she need me to keep telling her I love her?; Question Thirty-one: How can I keep saying I love you and other niceties without it sounding false?; Question Thirty-two: How can I tell the difference between a hug and a come on?; Question Thirty-three: Why won't she have sex with me?; Part III: And then there were three!; Question Thirty-four: Since the birth of our child, my feelings have changed towards my partner and I find it hard to be sexually attracted to her? Does this mean I don't love her anymore?; Question Thirty-five: Our baby seems to scream all the time and I cannot cope with the noise, I am not getting any sleep, my partner does not understand how hard it is for me and gets angry if I complain? Why?; Question Thirty-six: I spend all day at work and when I get home my partner expects me to take on the child care and yet she has been at home all day. This feels unreasonable. Is it?; Question Thirty-seven: My partner said she cannot trust me to look after the children. I feel she is being vindictive. Is she?; Question Thirty-eight: Why does she put the children first and always side with them?; Question Thirty-nine: I feel totally on the outside and alienated, it feels like them and me, yet my partner gets angry that I am not involved. Who is right?; Question Forty: Why does she say I am too serious with the children/grandchildren?; Part IV: And Finally the biggest question of all.; Question Forty-one: Are AS/Non AS relationships ever successful?; Conclusion.; References.

Positive, practical and realistic, this book offers everything men with Asperger Syndrome (AS) need to know about women and relationships. Many AS men are totally confused and bewildered by women, dating and relationships and find it hard to know what to do, what to say and how to get it right. For these men, understanding the emotional side to relationships and women's needs can be a complete mystery and they often get it disastrously wrong. This practical handbook provides all the answers to Asperger men's frequently asked questions about women, dating and relationships, helping them to better understand the way relationships work and increasing their confidence and ability to have successful relationships. This comprehensive handbook is essential reading for men with Asperger Syndrome (and their partners). It will also be of considerable use to counsellors and other professionals working with such individuals.