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evelum's review against another edition
4.0
Even if it's only one person's experience I find it informative and eye-opening.
glassesgirl79's review against another edition
4.0
An informative book about one woman's struggle with autism and eventually diagnosis of Asperger's as an adult. Provides great tips for employers, family and others on how to help yourself or anyone you know who has Asperger's. This is definitely worth a read since for insider perspective on a disease tends to be less diagnosed in females than males.
katie_annie's review against another edition
5.0
This was a very informative book. With my friend having autism I wanted to learn more about it. This really help both of us learn more about. It also lead her and her family to try and help me be test as well. Mainly becouse Liane story is a lot like mine then my friend. I think anyone who knows something or is that person with asperger syndrome, now known as high fuction autism, should read this. I will warn that the wording is odd and you might have to reread some parts but it is a good read.
giantsdancefarm's review against another edition
3.0
Doing some research for a relative, and this book was recommended to her. Well written, but not the resource she needs.
shecamefromouterspace's review against another edition
4.0
I love reading memoirs written by women on the autistic spectrum. I can always find something to relate to, even though each individual case is distinct (hence why it is referred to as a “spectrum”). Although I do not have the same extreme aversion to sensory input that Willey does, I can absolutely relate to not being able to process multiple sounds at once. We both struggle socially due to our literal thinking and not understanding body language or other social cues. And I can think of countless examples of embarrassing social gaffes I have committed, mistakes that most people avoid naturally, such as Willey rushing to pick her daughters up from school, not stopping to realize that her hair is still soaking in red dye.
This particular book is exceptionally well-written. I have read reviews complaining that the writing style is too “detached” or “clinical”, but personally, I found Willey’s choice of words to be the perfect combination of specific and descriptive. She and I share a similar love of words: their definitions, their connotations, choosing just the right one to convey exactly what you mean. I could tell that Willey enjoys writing, and that she is very skilled at it.
It is also incredibly soothing for me to read about other women who grew up without a formal diagnosis. It is so easy for me to feel bitter and angry about living my whole life struggling to just be “normal”, desperately wondering why I am so different than everyone else. It grounds me to learn that there are plenty of other women like me who have managed to lead successful and fulfilling lives, despite learning about their condition much later in life.
Willey also offers many resources and helpful tips in the appendices at the end of the book. I found the appendix regarding employment options to be particularly useful, but there are also resources for surviving college, keeping an organized household, and disclosing your disorder to people in your life.
My only complaint is that this book is very short. I would have liked Willey to have really dived deep into her experiences, as she has much valuable insight to share. I also did not like her stating that she “lost” certain ASD traits as she got older. I don’t claim to know everything about ASD, but in my personal experience, symptoms that presented themselves in my childhood did not go away, but rather became easier to mitigate and control. Certainly Willey knows herself better than I do, but I highly doubt ASD is something that diminishes over time. Overall, this was still a very uplifting read, and I appreciate Willey for her sharing her story.
This particular book is exceptionally well-written. I have read reviews complaining that the writing style is too “detached” or “clinical”, but personally, I found Willey’s choice of words to be the perfect combination of specific and descriptive. She and I share a similar love of words: their definitions, their connotations, choosing just the right one to convey exactly what you mean. I could tell that Willey enjoys writing, and that she is very skilled at it.
It is also incredibly soothing for me to read about other women who grew up without a formal diagnosis. It is so easy for me to feel bitter and angry about living my whole life struggling to just be “normal”, desperately wondering why I am so different than everyone else. It grounds me to learn that there are plenty of other women like me who have managed to lead successful and fulfilling lives, despite learning about their condition much later in life.
Willey also offers many resources and helpful tips in the appendices at the end of the book. I found the appendix regarding employment options to be particularly useful, but there are also resources for surviving college, keeping an organized household, and disclosing your disorder to people in your life.
My only complaint is that this book is very short. I would have liked Willey to have really dived deep into her experiences, as she has much valuable insight to share. I also did not like her stating that she “lost” certain ASD traits as she got older. I don’t claim to know everything about ASD, but in my personal experience, symptoms that presented themselves in my childhood did not go away, but rather became easier to mitigate and control. Certainly Willey knows herself better than I do, but I highly doubt ASD is something that diminishes over time. Overall, this was still a very uplifting read, and I appreciate Willey for her sharing her story.
aprileclecticbookworm's review
3.0
A mom realizes her own behaviors were easily explainable once her daughter was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. She recalls growing up and mostly her college years unaware of why she couldn’t seem to fit the norm. The last pages are devoted to support and coping strategies that may help.