Man with Asperger's helps parents

Feb 7 2012

A student with Asperger's syndrome has written a book to help parents who have children with the disorder.

Joshua Muggleton, 22, a student at University of St Andrews, wrote Raising Martians to help parents understand the minds of their children.

The book is being sold in the UK and the US.

Mr Muggleton said the book title came from the idea that "raising a child with Asperger's can feel like raising an alien".

The fourth-year psychology student said: "People with Asperger's have a lot to contribute to society but there is very little education out there for parents and teachers. Education is something of a silver bullet when it comes to helping young people with the condition and without it, deep-set problems can develop at school age.

"My book offers a more personal insight because it's been written by someone with the condition and not a clinical psychologist. Every child is different but I try to put the parents in the child's shoes and facilitate some understanding."

He has been signed up to write a second book to help make research into Asperger's more accessible to parents and teachers.

He said: "The way I see it, I could either lash out or try to make a difference. There are kids out there having a harder time than me, and adults too, and if I can help just one person, this is my chance to give something back."