Your Life is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome [Paperback]

Jerry Newport (Author), Ron Bass (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2001

Jerry Newport, diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome / High Functioning Autism at age 47, wrote this book for those with developmental disorders, but it resonates with people with any disability. His message: everyone has the power, and the right, to improve the quality of their lives despite their disability. Don't believe you must be "normal" to be happy; learn to co-exist with neuro-typicals, and become the best human being you can be. Jerry candidly reveals his own failures and successes. His heartfelt advice stems from a deep sense of caring for "his people" on the spectrum. If you read only one personal account about autism, this should be it!

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Jerry has, through sheer determination, intelligence, and guts, found practical ways of dealing with problems and disabilities that would seem insurmountable to others. Jerry’s advice is based on real-life experience and what really works in the real world.”
Ron Bass, a good friend of Jerry’s, and one of Hollywood’s most successful and prolific screenwriters. Ron won an Oscar for Rain Man and has also written My Best Friend’s Wedding and The Joy Luck Club. His most recent work Mozart and the Whale was inspired by Jerry’s life.

About the Author

Jerry Newport was diagnosed with Asperger’s when he was 47 years old. Now a popular international speaker, he is one of the foremost advocates on adult issues that impact people with autism / Asperger’s Syndrome. Jerry’s fascinating, touching, and often humorous perspective on living on the spectrum makes his books and presentations intriguing and informative. His story was even featured on 60 Minutes. Jerry has a BA in Mathematics from the University of Michigan, and was a financial assistant for the UCLA Department of Medicine. He has been active in the Autism Society of America and is responsible for starting and running Adult Group United and Autistic (AGUA), a support group for adults diagnosed with autism / Asperger’s / PDD.

Product Details

• Paperback: 317 pages
• Publisher: Future Horizons (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885477775
• ISBN-13: 978-1885477774
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #443,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Only for children, teens, very low functioning adults & those who need to help them, June 21, 2006

By 

Historian - See all my reviews

This review is from: Your Life is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome (Paperback)

The autism-Aspergers continuum is quite long. This book is not helpful for people on the higher-functioning half of the spectrum. It contains information about getting and keeping entry level jobs, how to deal with the police, suggestions for making money by dumpster diving, etc. Some people may need this information, but potential buyers should be aware that the book addresses problems of children, of teens and of adults who have been unable to extablish themselves in life. It is not helpful to adults with Aspergers who hold or have retired from a professional level job, who generally function at an adequate level and are looking for ways to refine their interpersonal skills.

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must read" for everyone!, November 24, 2001

By 

Lars E. Perner (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Your Life is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome (Paperback)

It's been said that those of us on the autistic spectrum have a special sense of humor--and I will add, a special wisdom, too. In this book, Jerry combines a tremendous amount of practical advice (which he has likened to "a Chilton's Repair Manual")with an incredible and devious sense of humor, adding amazing insight all the way through. Hopefully, Jerry's with and language use will not be lost on those of you "off" the spectrum.

Jerry tackles the most personal and complicated issues along with the seemingly mundane ones, such as how to take a bus. He manages to make the whole reading highly enjoyable, and provides everyone with new insight on life. Even if you have no interest in autism, this is a must read!

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gives advice I want my teenager to hear, March 5, 2002

By 

Amy L. Gilliland (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Your Life is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome (Paperback)

When I picked up Jerry's book I had a hard time putting it down. I am a parent of an adolescent with AS and have been "winging it" for most of his life. No books for parents were ever written on the subject until 1999. I've relied on my own parenting experience of neurotypical children and professional autism journals to figure out what to do. Now that I'm preparing my child to be "launched" into college, having a life handbook that he can rely on is very important. Jerry's book is very concrete with common sense information, and an attitude about life that I hope my own son will adopt. I can recommend this book to any person on the spectrum, and also to parents of children age 11 to adulthood. Sometimes when you are feeling most challenged as a parent of an AS preteen or teen, it is very helpful to remind you where you are heading!