Atypical: Life with Asperger's in 20 1/3 Chapters

Description

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.

An autism advocate and popular motivational speaker,Jesse A. Sapersteinis considered one of the most respected leaders in the anti-bullying movement of his generation.

"Brilliant, creative writing. His next book should be a novel." -Temple Grandin, Ph.D., author of Thinking in Pictures "With a voice as keen and honest as any I've ever had the pleasure of reading, Jesse Saperstein cracks open the underbelly of life with Asperger's, mesmerizing readers with a tale that is as fabulously incorrigible as it is strikingly compelling. Jesse Saperstein is the son I always wanted!" -Liane Holliday Willey, author of Pretending to be Normal: Living with Asperger's Syndrome "This funny, poignant, and honest book provides further evidence that Asperger's Syndrome is no cookie-cutter diagnosis. Atypical also informs us that Jesse Saperstein is a wonderful addition to the world of Asperger literature." -Michael John Carley, executive director of The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership (GRASP) and author of Asperger's From the Inside Out "Honest, funny, bristling with ideas and intelligence, Jesse A. Saperstein's Atypical marks the debut of a bright young voice from the Asperger's community." -Tim Page, author of Parallel Play and professor at the University of Southern California "Amusing, surprising, and informative. Just when I thought I had learned all I can from personal accounts, I had the chance to read this one!" -Jerry Newport, author of Mozart and the Whale, with Mary Newport and Johnny Dodd "Jesse Saperstein's wise and compelling memoir lets us know how frustrating and strange life can be for a bright, resourceful young man with Asperger's navigating the typical world. Funny, irreverent, and ultimately forgiving of all the damage we 'well-adjusted' typicals wreak on those who are a little different from us." -Sigourney Weaver, actress "By describing his experience with honesty, passion and deep clarity, Saperstein allows a so-called 'neurotypical' like myself to completely identify with his atypicality. A very powerful read." -Bruce Altman, actor "Jesse Saperstein is witty, insightful, and smart. He is also caring, social, emotional, empathetic, and able to learn from his mistakes and other people's rudeness-all traits we are often told that people with Asperger's don't have. I highly recommend this book to parents, educators, community members-frankly, to everyone. Jesse, I want to know what happens next; I hope you are working on a sequel!" -Chantal Sicile-Kira, author of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Autism Life Skills