Reviews
Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence by Tony Attwood, Luke Jackson
amy_h_books's review against another edition
I wanted to read more about Aspergers/Autism as I was recently diagnosed with autism but I lost interest in it so hopefully I’ll be able to read it fully in the future. :(
pontificate's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
l0rdtim865's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book both interesting and easy to put down for a couple of days. It shows a good insight into how it feels to be a teenager and have AS.
bookbelle5_17's review against another edition
3.0
A non-fiction, own voices book about kids and adolescences with Asperger's syndrome, a syndrome that is a form of Autism. Luke Jackson wrote and had this book published when he was only 13, and this is about his experience with having AS. He gives tips to both those that have it, and the parents and teachers that are part of the their lives. He also shares stories, pictures, and photographs about his experience. This is a great starter read to understanding Asperger's and how to handle it. Having been written by a 13 year old this book is easy to read and understand. Luke gets straight to the point, and is also a unique character. He provides funny commentary on social norms and uses idioms throughout his book, explaining what they mean in the back. Basically, the book and writing style is personable. If you have any interest in AS whether you're connected to someone who has it or just want research for another reason, I would recommend starting with this book. It has an informative and positive outlook on the subject.
fangirljeanne's review against another edition
5.0
I would recommend this book to parents, teachers and especially Autistic kids, no matter where they are on the spectrum. Luke not only provides invaluable insight into how AS affects his life, but how Autism affects the lives of his two younger brothers. He also provides helpful, bullet point, lists on how to manage everything from sleeping, homework and even dating.
The title is quite apt, because this is truly a guide to handling many of the challenges teens with Autism face on a daily basis.
Additionally, I would recommend this book to any authors attempting to write fictional stories featuring Autistic characters. Luke breaks down a lot of stereotypes prevalent in pop culture today.
He is witty, optimistic and has a great deal insightful in to human social behavior. His sense of humor is charming and very relatable. I personally found his unique perspective on the subtly of language and contradictions in social expectations to be enlightening.
This book a fun, informative read. I really cannot recommend it enough.
The title is quite apt, because this is truly a guide to handling many of the challenges teens with Autism face on a daily basis.
Additionally, I would recommend this book to any authors attempting to write fictional stories featuring Autistic characters. Luke breaks down a lot of stereotypes prevalent in pop culture today.
He is witty, optimistic and has a great deal insightful in to human social behavior. His sense of humor is charming and very relatable. I personally found his unique perspective on the subtly of language and contradictions in social expectations to be enlightening.
This book a fun, informative read. I really cannot recommend it enough.
lovelyreads13's review against another edition
3.0
I bought this book for a project I was doing at University and wanted some background research into Aspergers Syndrome.
For my art project at university I illustrated The Curious Incident of The Dog in Night Time. The main character Christopher has aspergers syndrome.
I only later read Freaks Geeks and Aspergers Syndrome after I had finished university but I was really impressed with the material.
Luke is very insightful, I love his confidence. The book is easy to follow, it’s humorous and clever. I learned a lot about aspergers syndrome from the book. I don’t know anyone close to me with it, but I feel I have a little bit better understanding of what it means.
For my art project at university I illustrated The Curious Incident of The Dog in Night Time. The main character Christopher has aspergers syndrome.
I only later read Freaks Geeks and Aspergers Syndrome after I had finished university but I was really impressed with the material.
Luke is very insightful, I love his confidence. The book is easy to follow, it’s humorous and clever. I learned a lot about aspergers syndrome from the book. I don’t know anyone close to me with it, but I feel I have a little bit better understanding of what it means.
voya_k's review against another edition
5.0
Just found out Luke Jackson wrote a sequel to this, which reminded me how great it was in 2002. The first own voices book about Aspergers I ever read, and right on time since I was working with lots of kids on autism spectrum in the public library back then. Seminal!
claudiaswisher's review against another edition
4.0
What an interesting look at Asperger Syndrome, or AS....The author, Luke Jackson, is 13, and has AS...he writes with humor, logic, and sensitivity about lots of issues that affect all teens and children, but have special challenges for AS youngsters.
He puts us in his shoes, explaining what the 'symptoms' feel like...he describes the sensory sensitivities and his strategies for living with these sensitivities.
I appreciated the way he would stop and give tips for other AS kids, as well as teachers and parents. He's a very wise young man, and is so open about his feelings, even tho he tells us he's more comfortable with the logical side of his brain.
While I sometimes tired of his breezy parenthetical asides, and while the side stories distracted me, I can see how a young person with AS, or a family member, will easily recognize and identify with the stories.
I'm intrigued by Luke's family...his Mum (did I say this is a British book?), three brothers and three sisters, all with various symptoms on the autism spectrum. Ben, the baby, seems to have the most symptoms. Luke often draws on stories from his siblings to make his points.
I love the discussion about similes and metaphors and idioms (there's even a list of idioms and their meanings in the book!). Luke advises adults to never use them unless they can explain their exact meaning.
Also loved the chapter on bullying. He gives down-to-earth advice to kids and teachers and parents...to the kids, he repeats, "Take no crap," and suggests AS kids take martial arts classes...more for the discipline than for self-defense.
Informative and accessible. I'm going to see if one of my AS students might be interested in reading and giving me an opinion.
Luke Jackson has written an important book.
He puts us in his shoes, explaining what the 'symptoms' feel like...he describes the sensory sensitivities and his strategies for living with these sensitivities.
I appreciated the way he would stop and give tips for other AS kids, as well as teachers and parents. He's a very wise young man, and is so open about his feelings, even tho he tells us he's more comfortable with the logical side of his brain.
While I sometimes tired of his breezy parenthetical asides, and while the side stories distracted me, I can see how a young person with AS, or a family member, will easily recognize and identify with the stories.
I'm intrigued by Luke's family...his Mum (did I say this is a British book?), three brothers and three sisters, all with various symptoms on the autism spectrum. Ben, the baby, seems to have the most symptoms. Luke often draws on stories from his siblings to make his points.
I love the discussion about similes and metaphors and idioms (there's even a list of idioms and their meanings in the book!). Luke advises adults to never use them unless they can explain their exact meaning.
Also loved the chapter on bullying. He gives down-to-earth advice to kids and teachers and parents...to the kids, he repeats, "Take no crap," and suggests AS kids take martial arts classes...more for the discipline than for self-defense.
Informative and accessible. I'm going to see if one of my AS students might be interested in reading and giving me an opinion.
Luke Jackson has written an important book.
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