Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30469 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 292 pages

Customer Reviews

A GIFT
This book is one of the best I have read yet on living with Asperger syndrome. Unlike the patronising rubbish churned about by the self appointed autism 'experts' it cuts straight to the reality and the truth instead of endlessly preaching and theorising. I have read many books by people with AS, but because this one is written by a group of women instead of just one indiviudal it seems to have an electricity and an independence to it that I have not found elsewhere. I would say this is a must read for all women with Asperger syndrome and anyone else who wants to better understand us.

Well Worth Buying
This fascinating collection of writings by autistic women is perhaps the best value read for women wanting to find out what they have in common with others on the spectrum, but could still be interesting for anyone wanting to get an insight. Sharing experiences, feelings, conversations, and poetry in a frank and thought provoking way, this book has a charming and refreshing honesty that perhaps autistic people are best capable of and most likely to appreciate. I really enjoyed this book and found it to be a very worthwhile read.

Celebrate! Wave the Puzzle-Patterned Autism Banner Proudly!
To say I truly love this book would be a vast understatement. Instead of presenting one theory or the "Procrustean Bed" approach of painfully forcing people to support a certain finding, this book provides a myriad of insights into autism among women.

I am good and tired of the Rain Man stereotype that protrays people with autism has having savant abilities and no viable social skills; I am equally tired of the "rocking and staring" stereotype of autism as well. Sadly, stereotypes are so often applied to any population and this book unfortunately has passages wherein other groups are painted with the Stereotyping Brush. That is the only drawback.

Since this book contains a myriad of descriptions, it provides the much needed service of explaining that autism and its related neurobiological condition Asperger's is as unique as there are individuals who are on the spectrum. As the NT (neurotypical) population recognizes and claims individuality, the same applies among the a/A population.

How wonderful to find a book by people with autism about people with autism. This is the only work I am currently aware of that is concentrated on women who have autism. The fact that the authors come from all walks of life is representative of the multi-cultural/multi-ethnic world we all, as people live in is a very powerful statement. Autism does not discriminate.

I also like the way the authors describe their individual needs in coping with a largely NT world; the voice for accessibility can be seen, heard and felt throughout this work. The authors are not reluctant to challenge stereotypes and make individual claims describing how they are personally affected by having autism.

What makes this book so unique is that it is connects feminism and autism. NT issues are also addressed in this work as well. At no time did I feel these roads diverged; rather I felt the NT and a/A road converged frequently throughout this book.

A wide range of issues are discussed such as the spiritual aspects of people's lives; their core values and beliefs; their work experiences; things they do on a routine basis. Indeed, it is just this wide range that speaks even more to the diversity of the Autism Experience and encourage people to celebrate that part of their lives. Readers will come away wanting to wave the Autism Banner with Pride!

This book is a masterpiece. Like the Autism Ribbon made up of multi-colored, interlocking pieces, this book puts together a beautiful mosiac of the Autism Experience among a diverse group of women. The image as a whole, prose and poetry combined with each individual voice makes for a very unique work of art.

This book is for everybody. NT readers will come away with a greater understanding and appreciation for autism; readers on the a/A spectrum will feel this book speaks to some aspects of their lives. It contains a fresh set of perspectives about human lives and how autism is a part of those lives and not the sole focus. This is a book I'll keep banging on the drum for because I think the messages it imparts need to be heard by all, and not just the seemingly intended audience.

A good companion book to this one is "Asperger's and Girls" by Attwood, et al.

This is certainly a book that will leave readers deep in thought for a very long time.