`Chris Mitchell was 20 when he was diagnosed with Asperger
syndrome. Both his academic success and the horrendous bullying he
suffered highlight the mixed blessings of mainstream education for
a child with Asperger syndrome. While his eventual success is
heartwarming, from today's understanding of Asperger, the ignorance
and hostility Mitchell faced throughout his early life are
shocking' - TES Extra for Special Needs 'This autobiographical
account of a young man's discovery that Asperger's syndrome could
explain his early problems and provide light at the end of the
tunnel, is both insightful and inspiring. Parents of children with
Asperger's syndrome and also older "aspies" will profit from
Chris's hard won experience' - Dyslexia Contact '[This] is a
straightforward read, full of concrete examples of how Asperger's
syndrome affects the individual but at the same time acknowledging
that every individual is different. Having experienced first-hand
the vulnerability of the adolescent with Asperger's syndrome,
desperate to make connections with those around him but constantly
being knocked back, I was delighted to read about the friendships
[Chris Mitchell] eventually establishes when he takes the brave
decision to make contacts through the web and sets out on his
travels. I would particularly recommend this book to those with
little knowledge of Asperger's syndrome, especially for anyone
involved in helping those with a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome
through further education' - British Journal of Special Education
`This book is a 'must-read' for any parents of children with
Aspergers syndrome and also older aspies themselves. They will be
able to relate to the slightly quirky writing style and profit from
Chris's hard won experience. These children are so individualistic
and often isolated from like minds, so the book will provide some
solace that there are other people like them' - Judith Stansfield,
Chair North Richmondshire Community Partnership SEN ICT Consultant
NASEN ICT Group BDACC Reviews and Literature Editor `This book
shows how one individual with very severe handicaps due to
Asperger's Syndrome won through in the end and achieved despite
such a poor beginning. This is a book which should be read by
anyone who has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome or feels he
or she might have this condition' - Dr L F Lowenstein, National
Association Gifted Children Newsletter 'This is an unusual book in
that it is written by a man where most autobiographical books about
autism are written by women. It is both very readable and
well-written, with a detached an honest account of his childhood,
family life and life prior to diagnosis. He gets on well with his
family, and they are happy that he has written this book, and happy
with the book, despite some implied criticism of how they brought
him up. Indeed, it comes across as less aggressive than some
accounts, so it is particularly insightful for parents and other
empathotypicals who might find more black-and-white descriptions of
their mistakes hurtful. As with every book written by someone on
the spectrum that I have seen, it is a short book, giving a
snapshot of his difficulties and joys before and also after his
diagnosis, giving highlights of specific problems and pleasures.
Overall I think it would be a good book for someone who recognises
himself in the author, or as a starting point for deepening your
understanding of your brother, son or friend, or, if you are
already interested in this condition, to broaden your understanding
of the ways that it present itself' - Asperger United '[A]n
especially uplifting read for a young person or adult newly
diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrom. It also would help those
unfamiliar with Asperger's Syndrome to understand the condition
much better' - REACH This gripping and at times astonishing story
will be inspirational to all adults either facing Asperger's
Syndrome personally or interacting with someone who has been
diagnosed. In his own imitable style, Chris Mitchell describes his
life before and after diagnosis with Asperger's Syndrome. We follow
Chris through primary and secondary school, where his lack of
social interaction and anger continually land him in trouble, and
where he is bullied for being different. Only his excellent memory
and specialist interests enable him to continue, and pass his GCSEs
and a GNVQ in Media Studies. At university he is diagnosed with
Asperger's Syndrome. Suddenly his life makes more sense, and his
self-awareness means his self-confidence returns, resulting in
world travel, a Masters qualification in Information and Library
Management and finally, acceptance. Chris Mitchell is a Records
Assistant at Durham County Record Office, and also does public
speaking on the subject of Asperger's Syndrome.
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