Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence

Have you ever been called a freak or a geek? Have you ever felt like one? Luke Jackson is 13 years old and has Asperger Syndrome. Over the years Luke has learned to laugh at such names but there are other aspects of life which are more difficult. Adolescence and the teenage years are a minefield of emotions, transitions and decisions and when a child has Asperger Syndrome, the result is often explosive. Luke writes briefly about his younger autistic and ADHD brothers, providing amusing insights into the antics of his younger years and advice for parents, carers and teachers of younger AS children. However, his main reason for writing was because "so many books are written about us, but none are written directly to adolescents with Asperger Syndrome. I thought I would write one in the hope that we could all learn together".

Amazon Reader's Reviews:

Excellent and helpful
I have an autistic son and I have found Luke's book and excellent introduction for family and friend's who want to know more about the problems my son faces and how life is for him. Luke is a talented young writer and the book is a pleasure to read, and funny as well.
"Maurice" indeed needs to revise his opinions. My son follows a gluten free diet and the fact that he is given casein has never caused any problems within the support group network. I found the lists of groups provided at the back of the book to be helpful (and freely available elsewhere).
I would highly recommend this book as an introduction to autism and I believe it should be read by *all* school teachers given the increasing numbers of autistic children entering the mainstream school system.

Insightful and fun
I would just like to say that 'maurice' needs to rethink some of his very forceful opinions. I have a younger brother who has just turned 12, he was diagnosed with aspergers syndrome when he was four. As a family we have done huge amounts of research into Asperger syndrome but have found it increasingly difficult to explain to my brother exactly why he acts and feels like he does, doctors, teachers, psyciatrists my parents, all have tried in vain to make him understand but he stiil thought of it as something you got- kind of like a headache or a cold. Last christmas I brought Luke Jacksons book after seeing him on Richard and Judy. It helped him understand like no one else could, He takes it everywhere and shows it to anyone that he meets. What 'Maurice' doesn't seem to understand is that the thing that aspergers children do relate to is rules and instructions, so Luke Jacksons book with its rules such as the ones about peronal space are exactally what an aspergers child needs. I'll get off my soap box now to say I've read the book and I found it usful, insightful, touching and very well written. and the fact it does help children can't be bad.