Ships from: Powder Springs, GA
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Ships from: BAY SHORE, NY
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Ships from: North Dartmouth, MA
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Ships from: Avenel, NJ
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Ships from: Richmond, TX
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Ships from: acton, MA
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Want a NOOK? Explore Now
The poignant, funny, and truly unique observations of a young writer diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.
"Please be forewarned that you are about to read the observations and life lessons of someone who entertains himself by farting in public and conversing in gibberish with his cats."
Thus begins the charming, insightful, and memorable story of Jesse Saperstein. Diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a mild form of autism, Jesse has struggled since childhood with many of the hallmark challenges of his condition-from social awkwardness and self-doubt to extreme difficulty with change and managing his emotions.
He has also worked hard to understand and make the most of his AS- developing his keen curiosity and sense of humor, closely observing the world around him, and most of all, helping others with AS to better cope and even thrive. Told with endearing and unflinching honesty, Jesse brings his unique perspective to the circumstances of his life and his condition.
Introduction ix
First Impressions 1
The Cards We Are Dealt 11
Cat-Shit Fantasies and Holiday Greetings 21
Empathy: Real, Artificial, and Different 31
The Inability to Let Go 43
Bar Mitzvah Memories 53
Millerton Days 63
Elizabeth West 73
Collegiate Challenges 85
Psychobabble 95
All the World's an Awkward Stage 105
Teens Living a Greater Challenge 113
Summiting the Stigma 127
A Fractured Fairy Tale 143
Weirdish Romance 155
Listies 167
Speaking Out 173
A Brush with Hollywood 187
A Grave Situation 201
Epilogue 215
Acknowledgments 221
As a person who is perpetually intrigued by human psychology, I was eager to read Jesse's memoir of his life thus far as a person living with Asperger's Syndrome.
I have encountered the Autism Spectrum several times in my life, shared paths with parents and children dealing with such a diagnosis. As a result, I have read much about the world along the spectrum and I believe Jesse's book is a huge asset--to the 'neurotypical' world as well as the Asperger's world.
To anyone involved in any way with Asperger's, there is special insight offered as well as admonition given to understand, not fix, those who carry the Asperger's label. Jesse says much about how he has had to learn to try and be more 'socially acceptable' , yet at the same time, some simple acceptance is necessary.
A part of the book that I found particularly heart-tugging was Jesse's writing about his grandparents--his memories of childhood days spent in their home and his poignant portrayal of how their deaths affected him and how he reacted with each event. I cannot describe this part of the book and do it any justice, it must be read first-hand.
"...people with Asperger's have at least one lesson to teach the population at large: Many problems can be resolved and even avoided altogether by just being a little more direct and honest."
I have already shared my copy of Atypical with friends who are parenting a child diagnosed with Asperger's in hopes of shining positive light onto their struggles, highlighting the joys to be found and the hopes that shine brightly. Give it a look, I think you'll enjoy the insight!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 3, 2012
I met jesse saperstine he came to my school HMS in new york and after he helped me with most of the problums in my school i read his awsome book and check out jesses new sky diveing video on youtube
Sean hammond
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 29, 2010
I recently downloaded this book for my nook and can't put it down. I personally know the author and have found it to be a pleasant surprise as to how entertaining the read is. I normally do not read non-fiction, but the style in which this is written is very comical (even though some of the comedy is dark at times). Growing up with Jesse I have often wondered about his "disability" and this explains the inner-workings of his mind without making you pity him. I would recommend this book to anybody interested in learning about Asberger's from a personal perspective. I would also recommend it as a required read to those "teachers" who overlooked bullies because a child "refused" to conform to the norm.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 16, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted July 28, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted January 18, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted August 13, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted July 13, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted September 23, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted December 11, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted July 3, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
The poignant, funny, and truly unique observations of a young writer diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.
"Please be forewarned that you are about to read the observations and life lessons of someone who entertains himself by farting in public and conversing in gibberish with his cats."
Thus begins the charming, insightful, and memorable story of Jesse Saperstein. Diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a mild form of autism, Jesse has struggled ...