Look Me In the Eye spoke of a man grew up never fully understanding why he, an intelligent, capable person, could never quite fit in. It was only when he was diagnosed with Asperger's at age 40 that he realized his quirkiness arose from having been born with a mind that made connections in ways different from what he calls "nypicals" -- people with neurotypical or "normal" brains. Unlike so many other Aspies who end up alienated, alone and unemployed, Robison gradually found ways to overcome his social and communication deficits and transform his differences -- such as superior concentration, abstract reasoning and mechanical skills -- into gifts.
Now Be Different offers readers advice on how he did it. Beginning with a chapter that gives a human face -- his own -- to the "restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior" associated with Asperger's, Robison proceeds with a discussion of the thornier interpersonal issues Aspies face. Compensation for all or most of these challenges is possible, argues the author, by combining the Aspie strength of logical analysis with observation, an awareness of past experiences and practice. Learning to live in a "nypical" world was not easy for the author -- "[i]t's been a lifetime job for me" -- but the rewards have made his efforts undeniably worthwhile.
And makes Be Different essential reading for every Aspie, and for those who love them.
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I received a free copy of this book as part of the Blogging for Books program in exchange for my honest review here.