Rudy Simone

This is a book by and for people with Asperger's Syndrome. This GUARANTEES that your mileage will vary. But it's likely to be pretty good.

I'll admit that the cover image and the cutesy graphics put me off badly. But it happens that I know one of the people who wrote the cover blurbs, and asked him about it -- and he said that it deserved the praise. And he was right. If I had had this book two years ago, my life very likely would have been very different. If I had had it twenty years ago, I show more could guarantee it.

The flip side is, I didn't even know I had Asperger's then....

Most Asperger's books are full of strategies, and this is no exception. And not every strategy works for everyone. If you don't have sensory issues, you won't need the sensory strategies. Personally, I could use more advice on apologies and forgiveness. And so it goes. But if one goes in with the proper attitude -- "use what you can and don't worry about the rest" -- there is a tremendous amount to be learned here. It is, without question, the best book I have read about Asperger's and careers.

Now if only I had those twenty years back in which to use it.... show less

So I'm fairly certain I have Aspergers (autism spectrum disorder), although I haven't gotten the official testing done yet. This was an interesting read. There were a lot of relatable parts, though some parts I definitely see more in other people. For example, there was a big emphasis on meltdowns, which aren't a thing I recognize myself having (although maybe they appear differently than I expect them to), so that made me doubt myself. Also, although she generally acknowledged that symptoms show more are on a spectrum, there were times where she referred to things as kind of universal (like saying that all Aspergirls react very strongly to any medication or anything artificial - I avoid as much as I can taking anything, but not because my body responds to it). It did give me a good perspective on a few other people in my life who are likely on the spectrum and didn't suspect it, and I've recommended this book to quite a few people. The chart in the back (also shared on her website), is a good place to start and get an idea of whether you might be on the spectrum. show less

'm not usually into reading books about Asperger's, but I picked this book up because I recently disclosed it to my supervisor at work (after experiencing sensory processing problems), who told me he thought it was "just a label." This book more or less confirms everything I've ever known about Asperger's, but it's tailored to women and girls, which makes it much more relevant, at least to me. For some reason, research on autism and Asperger's focuses more on the male experience, so I show more thought that this book was refreshing in that aspect.

The book is divided into chapters that focus on all the challenges that girls and women with AS experience: self-taught reading skills, sensory problems, gender roles, puberty, dating and relationships, friendships, employment, having children, having temper meltdowns, rituals and routine, and getting older on the spectrum, just to name a few. Nearly all the things discussed in the book describe me life completely, so it was interesting to me to read that many of us have gastrointestinal trouble, connected to stress. I've had it all my life, but I'd never connected it to AS (which I didn't find out I have until I was 25). Another thing I thought was interesting, and totally on, was the chapter on AS in the workplace, and the importance of having obsessions to keep us focused on our careers (I always thought that having obsessions were bad for me).

Rudy Simone's approach is hands-on, and her writing style is easy to read. The chapters are short and give good tips to women and girls with AS and the people closest to them. I don't know that I believe all the holistic stuff, but I think this book should be required reading for women and girls who have been diagnosed with AS. show less

“Aspergirl” (the term) was coined by author Rudy Simone (herself an Aspergirl) to denote a girl with Asperger Syndrome. And Aspergirls (the book) is nearly as catchy as the term. It’s the paper equivalent of a one-on-one conversation with an older sister or girlfriend or mentor who’s “been there” -- a fast and very casual source of information and support directed primarily to Aspergirls (of all ages) and secondarily to their parents, siblings, spouses, and children.

Simone’s show more overall purpose in this book seems twofold: first, to help Aspergirls survive (advocating a zero-tolerance for bullying, then framing aspects of different-ness in a way that builds self-esteem); and second, to help them thrive (promoting education/training as the path to financial security and personal independence). Each of the 25 chapters addresses an aspect of Aspergirl life, among them: sensitivities; coping behaviors; puberty; friendships; education; work; marriage; children; aging. I was going to characterize it as more supportive and less informative ... until I found myself quoting from it numerous times over coffee with a friend! It’s an accessible, female-centered resource that will be empowering for Aspergirls and revelatory to those who love them.

(Review based on an advance reading copy provided by the publisher.) show less