"An essential guidebook that will help all the creative, quirky, geeky, and wonderfully different kids to become successful in life."–Temple Grandin
Nashville's Center for Understanding hosts John Elder Robison Saturday, April 9 in "My Life with Asperger Syndrome: Past, Present and Scientific Future." Not in Nashville? Find Robison on the road: here.
Following review was a collaborative effort with M. Dee Hamilton, aka Husband 2.0
It's interesting the way author John Elder Robison laid out his second book, Be Different. It's in the form of a well-crafted outline in which he deals with broad topics in categories such as education, social and work issues. And, then, from there, he breaks it down into sub-categories, and further expands in detail these by utilizing anecdotal vignettes (one-page sub-chapters describing scene in which he reveals a number of circumstances he had to overcome).
Normally, I don't notice the organization of paragraphs and sentences, but in this book, it couldn't be ignored because of the way it plodded along. But, enough of the stylistic critic….It gave a vivid image of what it is like to have Asperger's and to deal with common situations that most neurotypical individuals take for granted. He describes, for instance, what it's like to ask a girl to dance at a party. But, the angst he suffers in doing so would normally be seen in a seventh grader, only he is in his late teens or early 20's at the time of the incident. Throughout the book, I had an emotional reaction to his struggle and was extremely impressed with how he overcame each Aspergian hurdle.
At times, when he explains how he vaulted these hurdles, it almost seems braggadocio, but I have to take into account that he may not understand why it would sound that way. It's as if he has an Horatio Alger's life. He will state in an almost matter-of-fact manner that he designed the light-show guitar for one of the bandmates of KISS. Anyone who knows anything about KISS knows about the infamous guitar. And this goes beyond his skills as an electronic genius, he's an mechanical genius as well, owning a high-end automotive repair shop specializing in Mercedes Benzes, Range Rovers and Bentleys, to name a few.
This unique book gives the reader an experiential opportunity to step in the the shoes and life of someone who has Asperger's. And for that reason, the plodding, the odd lay out, etc., is more than tolerable. Furthermore, he is attached an appendix that will serve as an excellent resource guide for anyone who has Asperger's or for their family members.
A review, on Leisa Hammett.com of Elder's first book, a NYT bestseller, here.
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Congratulations to Brigid, who was chosen, using Random.org, to receive last week's giveaway of a two-DVD/tool kit/guide of "Autistic-Like: Graham's Story."
