Reviews for Pretending to Be Normal: Living with Asperger's Syndrome

The average rating for Pretending to Be Normal: Living with Asperger's Syndrome based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2014-09-19 00:00:00 Wayne Johnson Over the past four years I've devoted a bit of time to study and research Asperger's Syndrome. I realized I could relate to the traits and quirks and routines of others on the autism spectrum. Yet it wasn't easy to get my diagnosis - there's still not enough awareness, even among mental health folks, of autism and Asperger's Syndrome in women and girls. I feel, as Liane Holliday says, "Why, I wondered, did everyone refuse to accept my words as fact and not fiction? Why was I getting so much opposition? Why were my observations being discounted as so unimportant and unreliable?" So now, I feel quite fortunate that women like Liane are writing books to not only bring awareness to the world, but also to help those of us with a diagnosis. This book is both a memoir and a guide to life. Though every Aspie is a unique individual, there are many commonalities: a love of information and organization, details, routines, obsessive thinking (that's focus), logical and literal-mindedness, the often unbearableness of eye contact, a love of solitude and time to recharge...And the exhaustion we experience from feeling we have to hide who we are to fit in - "In fact, living with one foot in neurotypical land and one in Aspieland, is very stressful and exhausting." I'm glad the author is choosing to pretend a little less. She is an inspiration to me. This book is not only helpful and inspiring for those with an AS diagnosis, but for anyone who wants to learn more about what life is like for a woman with Asperger's Syndrome. Oh to have had this when I was younger! Thank you to Jessica Kinsgley Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this book!

Review # 2 was written on 2008-12-08 00:00:00 Judson Siegel This book was a quick read and a great insight into the world of Asperger's Syndrome. Since I currently have a student with AS in my classroom it was very helpful for me to get a look into what might be going on inside her head and strategies for working more effectively with her.