Customer Reviews

Build Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide For Individuals With Asperger Syndrome

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3 star:		(1)
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As an adult with Asperger Syndrome, I thought this book would be exactly what I was looking for to help me. The title sounds great and the table of contents looked great too, and it was written by another woman with AS. But I was very disappointed when I got the book and started reading it. The whole book is an extended metaphor (and if you know anything about AS, you know that metaphors can confuse us). I understood the main point of this metaphor (your life is a house or building), but some of the other points (plumbing, electricity, etc.) totally confused me. I had trouble forming the connections to understand what the author was talking about. I also found that some of the subheadings within the book would say one thing and the text that followed seemed to be on a completely different topic and/or did not say anything very helpful (at least for me). I have read many, many books and articles on AS (I am also a graduate student), and there are much better and more helpful books available. I have several books that I will consult on a regular basis and read multiple times, but this one will probably just stay on the shelf.

While I am delighted to see another book for adults with Asperger's, I am dismayed to find this one so choked with metaphors. The over-dependency on the "building" analogies and the weed-killer weakens what could be a highly effective book.

Sadly, the heavy-handed application of terms such as "closed pictures" is often lost on the audience for whom this work was written. For people with Asperger's who do read this book, you might want an NT (neurotypical) translator to interpret some of it.

The book seamed to be tailored to the reader with Asperger's Syndrome and I do not have Asperger's, but work with individuals who do. "Build Your Own Life...:" helped me to better understand and respect what they are dealing with and relate or share with them more productvely.

This book is very helpful, its written by a person with A.S. for people with A.S. Instead of going into all kinds of psychoanilization mumbo jumbo like many books written by shrinks, it just gives practical advice. Bassically instead of focusing on the problem it focuses on the solution. It refers to the way people with A.S. think and process information as a 'diffibility' rather then a 'dissability.' Because if a person goes around thinking, 'I have a dissability,' how is that helpful? Terming it as a 'diffibility,' a person with A.S. having different ways of thinking, socializing, and processing information is more in line with the 'Law of Attraction.' The whole purpose that the book highlights is to tailor your 'diffibility' properly when choosing a career and going about performing your career. My career is law. For law school I must read and study for long periods of time which I find very relaxing and rewarding. By creating the right study environment I can work with my 'diffability' and excel. Great book, only a 3rd through so far but I really like it. Another good book for people with A.S. who have psychic inclinations is 'The Secrete,' available on book, CD, and DVD.