Customer Reviews

Freaks, Geeks & Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Luke Jackson draws on his experience as a teenager with Asperger's Syndrome to present a perspective on AS. The book provides a great deal of practical advice for teenagers on the spectrum and those who interact with them. In addition--and perhaps most importantly--the book provides a very well organized and comprehensive view of the condition from the "inside," taking a great step to making what perplexes those on the "outside" understandable. One very nice feature of the book is that the writer recognizes the significance of individual differences in the way AS is manifested in different people. As a special bonus, the book is sprinkled with a delightful sense of humor of a quality with which few people outside the spectrum are endowed.

Until now, there has never been a book about Asperger's Syndrome by a teenage with AS specifically FOR teens with AS. But Luke Jackson, a thirteen-year-old boy with Asperger's Syndrome from England, comes to the rescue with his cool new book, Freaks, Geeks and Asperger's Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence. Like a breath of fresh air, he writes in a breezy, witty, easy-to-understand style, to reassure teenagers that having AS (or High-Functioning autism).

First, he introduces the reader to his family, then goes on to introduce himself, including his obsessions (the big one being computers, of course!), the things that he has collected, such as pencils and then he talks about the ways he accommodates his sensory problems. One of the most ingenious is to use a balaclava, to provide the deep pressure that he needs to shut out extraneous noise and other stimuli. He goes into the minutest detail about the difficulties he experiences in school, including the literal interpretation of what he hears from the teacher, bullying, the problems involved with homework.

One of the minefields that is socializing and figuring out the subtle nuances in Freaks, Geeks and Asperger's Syndrome is the one on dating. In this chapter, Luke gives important tips on attracting kids of the opposite sex and on dating itself, including looking as clean ad attractive as possible, being tactful, and giving that person a compliment, such as, "I like your tie!" The overall theme of this little gem is that having AS and High-Functioning autism is a POSITIVE thing. "Different is cool!" To Luker Jackson, AS has more good than bed-creative, original thinking, a tendency to follow the law to the letter, and a real desire to learn and discover things about a specific interest-the makings of a future Einstein or Picasso.

When I read this book, I got the wonderful feeling that we are more "normal" than not, and that "normal" is really an arbitrary standard, set by each society and not a hard and fast rule. Three cheer to Luke Jackson and his nifty book for teens with AS!! This should be in every school library and in every home of a teen with AS. Need I say more? Oh, and one more thing . . . this book has a glossary of idioms, to help teens with Asperger's Syndrome understand the English language a little better.

As the mother of an AS son, I've read plenty of books about Asperger Syndrome, and am quickly becoming an expert on all the buzzwords and checklists associated with AS. I cannot tell you how refreshing it was to read an upbeat, practical book about the challenges and rewards (yes, rewards!) of Asperger's, written by a cheerful teenager who lives in the AS world. Luke's lighthearted first-hand approach to a wide range of topics was a breath of fresh air after reading several helpful but rather scholarly books, all written from an 'outsider's' point of view. Thise guide is a must in any AS collection.

Asperger's Syndrome or AS is a neurological condition that is on the spectrum as autism. It is NOT a mental illness. Luke Jackson, the young author of this sterling work gives a clear and pure voice of what "undefined behavioral/sensory differences" mean in terms of coping on a routine daily basis. Heightened sensory modes in addition to many of the behaviors that often accomopany AS such as rigid adherence to routines and/or ideas; social difficulties and literal interpretations of statements often stand out even more during puberty. This brilliant young man has presented a good case for nutrition and autism/Aspeger's; (a/A) several of his siblings exhibit varying degrees of spectrum behaviors.

Dr. Tony Attwood, an author and Asperger's specialist has contributed to this book. Dr. Attwood gives the Voice of Hope and the Stamp of Validity on Aspeger's. He provides clear, logical descriptions of spectrum behavior as well as clear, logical definitions of Asperger's and its neurological relationship to autism. Hats off to Dr. Attwood!

This is a book that will be cherished and used by parents, professionals, people with spectrum differences and people who are interested in spectrum differences. This invaluable book is for everybody!

Maybe my expectations were a little too high.

I was looking for a book to offer practical socializing advise for our 13 year old AS son as well as a book that would help him understand the issues that he deals with. This book was a little helpful and Luke does have a sense of humor but I did not feel comfortable sharing this book with my son. However, I do recommend "Can I tell you about Aspergers" by Jude Welton. I shared this book with our son and it was like a "light-bulb" went off in his head. I also recommend "Can I tell you about Aspergers" as a source to share with teachers and compassionate classmates (approximately 8 to 15 years old) as a way of explaining the responses of their AS student or classmate.

Some of the phrasing that Luke used in "Freaks, Geeks and ..." was a bit difficult to understand. This is probably due to the fact that Luke is British so some terms that he used were not familiar to this American reader.

In conclusion, I want to congratulate Luke for writing this book and sharing his story with others. This is probably a great accomplishment for him and his mother should be very proud of the continued support that she gives to her children. This book might be useful for parents to read but I would recommend borrowing it verses buying it (or buy used). I would highly recommend that you read the book "Can I tell you about Aspergers" as well.

Laurie - From Maryland

As another teenager with Asperger's myself, I am fully cognizant of how this syndrome can produce tremendous difficulties socially. This book is a reflection of the difficulties that a young teenager faces in his being afflicted with Asperger's SYndrome. It is candid, articulate, and very poignant.

However, I would not necessarily call this book a complete guide for a person with Asperger's. Asperger's is a very personalized syndrome that varies from person to person and advice that may help one person with Asperger's may not help all with Asperger's. SOme advice in this book, (e.g., the inclusion of a chapter on a link between an allergy and Asperger's) is not necessarily helpful, but this is forgivible considering the age of the author. Other teens with Asperger's who read the book may even feel sympathy for the author (and for you neurotypicals reading this review, sympathy is not something that people with Asperger's develop innately) who has to undergo challenges that many teens with Asperger's face.

I actually think that neurotypicals could benefit the most from this book since it offers a view on how the person with Asperger's views the world (and it is much needed.

My son was diagnosed with AS about a year ago and he is almost 11 now. I picked up the book at the suggestion of his doctor to help me help others (teachers, friends, etc.)learn about AS. The name of the book cought my sons eye and he asked me about it and walked away after I told him what it was about. At dinner that night I asked if anybody (4 kids between 6-12 and two adults) knew what dyspraxicia(sp?) was? When nobody did, and nobody could find the definition in the dictionary, I went and found it in the book. It was in the very beginning of the book and I proceeded to read the first chapter to them. That got them hooked. They all read the book and things have been better now that they understand more clearly what AS is. I found it entertaining and well written. I picked up a few things, but for someone who has little or no experience with AS, this book is perfect.

Deep in the doldrums of sadness, I was lifted so immensely. Adolescence is so horrid for everyone (regardless of Asperger's). Realizing this was WRITTEN by a 13 year old with AS,I knew Luke Johnson has walked the walk our son is walking. I had so much respect for our son! I can actually talk to him in ways that he gets that I get it. I am ordering 2 more copies. One for the School and one for his MD's office.

My 18yr old son was recently diagnosed with Asperger's and this book has not left his sight since I handed it to him. He carries it with him to school, to work, and is reading it very carefully. He has told me that it is a great book, and although the boy who the book is about is much younger than my son, they have gone through the same things. Luke's experiences and his way of talking about Asperger's and how it effects every part of his life has helped my son to understand so many things about himself that were a mystery up until now.

I hope Luke puts out another book as a young adult, and again as an older adult to chronicle his experiences through his life.

Thanks Luke and Tony for a great gift!

This is an absolutely WONDERFUL book! It treats Asperger's Syndrome as a different way of thinking (which CAN lead to great things!), rather than as a disease. The writer has the most wonderful, positive outlook, and gives hope to people with Asperger's and autism, as well as those who love them.

My son is only 8 yrs. old, and he is high-functioning autistic. This is not exactly the same as Asperger's, so I didn't know if this book would be all that helpful. But it definitely is! I now have a much greater understanding of my son and his behaviors, and I am likely to be much more patient. I can also relax and enjoy him, instead of worrying so much about his future. This is a great gift, and all the more remarkable because the writer is only 13 years old! Bravo, Luke Jackson! You're my hero!