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

by Jerry Newport (Author), Ron Bass (Foreword) "That's a good question!..." (more)
Key Phrases: autism community, adult support group, autistic people, New York, Los Angeles, Asperger's Syndrome (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
This wonderful new book contains Jerry's advice to others with autism about maximizing their potential and minimizing their grief. -- MAAP Quarterly

Product Description
An encouraging, educational, and often humorous guide for teens and young adults with Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism. Jerry, a man with autism, gives advice on dating, money, traveling independently and more! This clever book will help others live fuller, more independent lives.

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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 (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #606,435 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 41 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)

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!

32 of 34 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)

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!

25 of 26 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

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.