Asparagus Dreams [Paperback]

Jessica Peers (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1843101645 | ISBN-13: 978-1843101642 | Publication Date: January 30, 2009 | Edition: 1

Expelled from mainstream education and vaguely aware she has something called "Asparagus" Syndrome, 12-year-old Jessica is sent away to a residential school for young people with autism. Here, miserable and misunderstood, she spends the next five years trying to cope with the strict school system - fighting against misguided teacher interventions, dealing with the onset of adolescence and fitting in with the other pupils. Recalled with humour and insight, Jessica's story is one of hope and an account that challenges professionals to develop a more enlightened approach to working with children on the autism spectrum.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jessica Peers was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at 12 years old and spent the rest of her education in a residential school for young people with autism. After achieving an M.A. in English Literature, she is now a voluntary researcher at the Autism Research Unit (University of Sunderland) and writes in her spare time.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley; 1 edition (January 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843101645
• ISBN-13: 978-1843101642
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,529,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars I liked this., February 11, 2006

By 

Suz "treadingwater" (Freeland, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Asparagus Dreams (Paperback)

Neurotypical people read books by people with AS to find out about the condition or gain some illusive insight. As a person diagnosed with AS myself I just read them as most people would read any `normal' persons auto-biography... for interest and enjoyment and because, for a change, I can identify with the experiences the main character describes.

Diagnosed with Asperger syndrome at 12 and sent away to a residential school for young people with autism, this is the tale of the next 5 years of this girls life, the characters she meets, the emotional struggles she faces, and her rebellion against a misguided and inflexible system.

However, Jessica makes clear herself in the introduction that this book is not about naming and shaming people from her past. Names are changed, characters are composite, and she describes the experiences rather than the events, in a way that I at least found meaningful and compelling. My only disappointment was reaching the end and still wanting to know what happened next.

I don't think you'll learn much about AS from reading this, but it is still a worthwhile read in my opinion.