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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 300
EAN num: 9781885477774
ISBN number: 1885477775
Label: Future Horizons
Manufacturer: Future Horizons
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 317
Printing Date: September 01, 2001
Publishing house: Future Horizons
Sale Popularity Level: 338610
Studio: Future Horizons
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
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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Rated by buyers 
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The description of this book sounded interesting and I like to read autobiographical books about people living with AS. This book, however, was not at all what I was hoping for, and I ended up returning it. It was way too basic for me. It might be good for someone just learning how to live with autism but I did not need the basic information provided such as how to cross streets and how to drive through a town.
Rated by buyers -
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.
Rated by buyers 
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I liked what Jerry wrote about his life. In some ways, his life sounded like mine (I am ASD too)! I agree with him on p. 277 where he mentioned money can not buy the best things in life. In that chapter he took time to thank his parents, teachers, and coaches who influence him. People do turn out the way they are because of who influenced them as children. Outside of my mother, the people who influenced me were preachers who had children of their own but they took an interest in me and helped Mom raise (my Dad had no active part in my life). Parents should realize it is the time you give to your children that matters not the money spent on them! I agree with him on his chapter that stress is our enemy! His 4 points on p. 3 are all good except for the very first one: "You are your own best friend, but you are sometimes your worst enemy." That is a contradictory statement. The truth is you are your worst enemy not your best friend. Most of the problems I have is because I want to have my way all the time! Everyone does need to take responsibility for his/her actions. Only I can live my life, and I need to be me not is popular "to be normal". His chaper on "Rain in Your Brain" where he talks about the "savant" skill that some ASD people have is helpful. I have noticed that I myself have a good memory, think musically often, and have impressed people with "Name that Weekday game" (people tell their birthdate and I tell them not weekday)! He is right on p. 104 about ASD people not driving--concentration--I can not handle it!
Rated by buyers -
This is a positive book about how to live a full life with Asperger syndrome, covering both the practical and emotional aspects of independent living... encouraging people to take responsibility and not make excuses. While I think it contains a lot of useful advice and much truth that people need to hear, I suspect that for many of the people who would benefit from hearing it the most these strong words would sting like vinegar. When you are a person with low self-esteem and learnt helplessness sometimes having someone tell you to love yourself and not give up is difficult to take. If you are ready to hear it though, this book is a refreshing and empowering read.
Rated by buyers 
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and I actually read the book because I borrowed it from him. He gives a fairly comprehensive and useful overview of life on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum.
Admittedly, there are issues that he does not cover, such as medications. Personally, I've found diet to be more useful (I'm on the Feingold diet, which has succesfully helped me control my occasional desire to be physically aggressive) than drugs - in fact, my one experience with a psychiatric medication (for depression, one of my long list of comorbidities) was so bad that I've given up. I tried Prozac, only to find that I gained 40 pouunds and no longer cared if I stepped out in front of a bus. I stopped the Prozac years ago, and am still trying to lose the weight.
It is impossible (as Jerry says) for all us Aspies or HFAs to marry each other, however, it is certainly desirable to marry someone who is at least a phenotype or an autistic cousin. I found this out the hard way, by marrying and divorcing (in process) a neurotypical. In the future, I'm sticking to people on the spectrum, or at least with OCD, since they're more likely to have a basis for understanding me (willing to accept a degree in engineering in lieu of diagnosis :-P).
I know a lot of aspies who can drive, have college degrees, and jobs. I know a lot of aspies who can't do any of those things, and who live on SSI. Quite frankly, those who do the latter tend to act more depressed, are more likely to be on psychiatric medications, and seem to have fewer friends.
A lot of this has to do with self-esteem. The people I know who don't do these things have been told, time and again, that they can't, and it has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Those of us who have done these things may be equally depressed, but we also have gotten through on sheer guts: I am going to get a degree if it kills me, or simply... I NEED to work, and live independently, because I can't afford the professional to diagnose me with sufficient comorbidities to be on SSI and I'm to darn proud to live "sucking off the teat" of a bunch of neurotypicals who I wish weren't on the planet anyway!.
I highly recommend its companion book, especially if you have children on the spectrum... and Jerry, when's the movie coming out? :-)
(Mozart and the Whale)
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