INTRODUCTION
You may remember that a couple of posts ago on here I mentioned a new book about Autism titled “Not Weird, Just Limited Edition: Inside the Autistic Mind”. Well the copy of that book that I ordered arrived yesterday, and now it is time for a quick review.
A LITTLE GEM OF A BOOK
The book, written by Faye Flint, who was diagnosed as autistic only at the age of 27 (regular readers of this blog will recall that I was 31 when I got my own diagnosis, so this is a situation that is more than a little familiar to me). It is 108 pages long, with the text very generously spaced. Each page is a separate event, recording a particular thought or train of thought, and each is beautifully clear, and for obvious reasons many are instantly recognizable to me. If you are autistic yourself, or know/ are related to someone autistic, or even just have an interest in autism this book, written as it is by someone who is actually autistic is an absolute must read. I am going to share some of my personal favourites (I have selected six out of 108 pages to quote – and the quotes will be indented and italicised to set them apart from my own writing:
First, page 31:
I was a child with Asperger’s.
I will remain an adult with Asperger’s.
Page 45:
No, I won’t ‘grow out’ of my Asperger’s.
Asperger’s is who I am.
But I have lived with myself for 30 years.
I have learned how to manage myself.
To be able to fit into society more appropriately.
Page 49 (I am bolding as well as italicising this one for reasons that should become obvious):
“But you don;t seem like my friend’s son who is autistic?”
Ahh, well maybe that’s because…
I am a grown autistic woman,
Not a 7 year old autistic child.
Yes, there really is a difference.
Page 64:
No, my Asperger’s cannot be cured.
Nor would I want it to be.
This took me a long time after such a late diagnosis.
However,
It has made me, me.
And I kind of like me.
In fact,
Many people say my ‘differences’ are what they love most!
Page 69 (another one that I chosen to bold as well as italicise)
Just ask.
If you want to know about the spectrum,
Ask someone who is on it!
We aren’t offended.
If anything,
It makes us happy that you care enough to want to learn.
There is nobody better to ask,
Than someone who goes through it,
Every.
Single.
Day.
Finally, page 81:
I promise I am listening to you.
But my brain has 2,644 other tabs open right now.
It is very distracting.
The book is available in paperback or on kindle (click here to order).
aspiblog 
Thanks for you review Thomas , very much appreciated
You are welcome.
My grandson is autistic. He could listen to a novel being read to him then repeat the entire thing back to you, complete with every inflection, long before he could read. Books are his favorite things on earth. This post fills my heart with hope for my grandson, that he may one day be able to express himself through writing as well.
Thank you for this lovely comment and for following this blog. I am sure that your grandson will in time be able to express himself through writing.
“…my brain has 2,644 other tabs open right now.” I can relate all too well. But the price is totally out of line and it’s likely to cut sales way down. Nothing could induce me to pay $9.99 for 71 pages, that would probably be no more than 50 pages if the material was normally spaced.
I will check that book out. Sounds interesting.
Thank you for your comment and for giving me a mention in your most recent blog post.
You’re welcome. That quote is genius 🙂
love the 2644 tabs open part. Hi there. I am going around the neighborhood introducing myself. My name is Marc. My blog contains excerpts from my book The Driveway Rules. It contains memoirs about growing up with undiagnosed autism. I hope you stop by.