I Have Asperger's

by Erin Clemens

My name is Erin Clemens. I'm 24 years old, and I want to help others understand what my life is like living with Asperger's Syndrome. My hope is that people can learn from what I have been through, and apply it to what may help someone they know on the spectrum. To me, autism isn't a death sentence. It's just a different lifestyle. The views expressed are my own.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction, Psychology, Biography, Health, Ebooks

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 10, 2014

About the author

My name is Erin Clemens. I'm a woman on the autism spectrum who wants to share my experiences. My hope is that people can learn from what I have been through, and apply it to what may help someone they know on the spectrum. To me, autism isn't a death sentence. It's just a different lifestyle. The views expressed are my own.

Reviews

[Phyllis Eisenstadt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I HAVE ASPERGER'S by Erin Clemens

HONEST AND ANALYTICAL...AN EYE-OPENER

For anyone who has Asperger's or knows someone with this condition, Ms. Clemens' book may very well be a life-saver. It may also save interpersonal relationships that had been previously deteriorating through lack of understanding.

If the author sounds narcissistic and self-absorbed it is because that is how AS manifests itself to people who lack knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorders. According to Wikipedia, one can see that it did not appear in diagnostic manuals until the late 1990s:

"Asperger syndrome (AS), an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a relatively new diagnosis in the field of autism. [1] It was named in honor of Hans Asperger (1906–80), an Austrian psychiatrist and pediatrician. An English psychiatrist, Lorna Wing, popularized the term "Asperger's syndrome" in a 1981 publication; the first book in English on Asperger syndrome was written by Uta Frith in 1991 and the condition was subsequently recognized in formal diagnostic manuals later in the 1990s."

Ms. Clemens demonstrates what her life is like in various situations; she illustrates what causes her "meltdowns" and "tantrums " and explains the difference between the two. She strives, on a daily basis, to be understood; in fact, that is probably her fondest desire. She is normal, but a "different" kind of normal. Her life is anything but easy, yet despite all the trials and tribulations, she manages to hone her coping skills and unselfishly passes them on to others through speaking engagements in the hope of helping others with ASD. She also generously provides links to various groups that provide information and assistance to those who seek such help.

This book takes the reader on daily excursions into the author's life, and it also gives hope for the future of those afflicted with this disorder.

Many thanks to you, Ms. Clemens, and best of luck with your endeavors.

Phyllis Eisenstadt

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion it can be a great source of learning material.

[zeineb · Rating 4 out of 5]

repetetive but insightful and important

[sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compilation of blog posts by Erin Clemens created into a memoir. I found this very interesting to see her thoughts and ideas on things. Because it was all written in posts, a lot of times it would get off the topic of Aspergers. I enjoyed Clemens' passion on Autism awareness.

[Joanna Gawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book filled with insights, honesty, and positivity, and one which has arisen from a sincere desire to help others understand Asperger's better.

I've learned a lot from Elin's book and hope my empathy has improved as a result of my clearer understanding of the issues that can arise from having Asperger's.

I am full of admiration for the way this young woman has dealt with her life, and the work she has done as an advocate.

[R.J. Southworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this collection of blog posts from someone else with Asperger's was extremely insightful. I enjoyed Erin Clemens's descriptions of how she sees the world and the difficulties she faces - much of which was familiar to me - and I was especially pleased with her positive and honest attitude throughout. Definitely recommended reading for anyone who has Asperger's or wants to understand it better.

[VJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently reading this journal to gain insight into my autism. It is very specific and personal, but Clemens' story gives direction to my voyage of self-understanding in a world that does not want to recognize the presence of neuro-atypical people.

[Cidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agreed with one of the other reviewers Erin is brave setting out in a book about her condition and how it affects her everyday life, and this book is compiled from the blog she writes. I understand how difficult it is to get yourself heard and that her parents have helped her enormously throughout to try and understand how the world works and how you can work with it. I am in the same position, my husband has asperger's syndrome as does my daughter, who is also the same age as Erin! My husband has never been diagnosed with AS but he clearly is! And remember that this particular type of autism runs in families, it doesn't strike anyone out of the blue, it is inherited directly from a parent and that parent in turn has also inherited it from one of their parents.

My husband has all the classic traits and does get in hot water sometimes in how he presents to other people, he is an incredibly intellectual man but he would think nothing of going up to someone and shouting at them because they had dropped some litter in front of him and wouldn't pick it up. Removing him away from people can be tricky, he has definitely got 50% worse since we married! Sigh, and our daughter also has AS.

She had an easier personality in that she was diagnosed quite young and had just started school, although I turned down all the support offered to her during her school years, as I reasoned that they would not be teaching her in the way of the child she is but rather to the theories that were in the letter telling me how they proposed to handle her?? Amongst these my daughter would be lost. I had a meeting with her teachers and I wanted them to just teach her (as I did at home which so far seemed to be working well!), what was acceptable and why and what she can do if she feels that shouting is a good thing to do at that point, and how might other children feel too. All of these I was already doing at home before she started school and it did seem to be working for her. Well at least she had a lot of friends who enjoyed coming to play in our child friendly garden and in turn going to their gardens (reminding her that not everyone has what could be termed as a playground in their back yards), in our area most people had small yards, we were lucky this house was for sale, small though it is inside it makes it up with the quiet garden space).

She went on to university (which I was inwardly really worried about) and got a 1st class degree and entered the world of full time working and has friends, goes out, passed her driving test first time, has travelled abroad, written a novel and is generally a well settled self-satisfied young woman. I think every child presenting with AS doesn't need a manual which is for every child to follow, they need parents, the same as Erin's, to help and guide them down certain paths whilst still retaining their inner core as themselves, albeit someone with AS.

[Archie Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who also had Asperger's I read this wondering if this girl half my age and in the States rather than Scotland could possibly have anything in common with me.
Well... she puts into words many of the issues and fears I have had to deal with all my life (my diagnosis didn't come till I was 46) in a way that is easy to understand, both to those on the spectrum and our neurotypical friends and family.
I have recommended this book to my NT wife and she is enjoying expanding her understanding of my Asperger's

[Jade Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is is difficult to review. It is very repetitive, which may be how her mind works. However she skirts over big life events and I think a description of these would really benefit someone looking for advice. Most of it is just rants about wanting to be accepted (Understandable). Rather than sharing her experiences, eg she has PTSD but does not divulge into why or how this is managed, she moves out but does not describe this process ect. A good starting point to see how an aspie mind works :)

[T. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so amazed by this book and the young woman who wrote it!

Reading Ms. Clemen's book has taught me a great deal about the life of an Aspie. Her ability to share everyday struggles, as well as gifts really touched my heart. This is a very well written book that I found difficult to put down. I knew nothing about Asperger's so my curiosity caused me to download it. I am so glad I did. Ms. Clemens is an inspiration! Much appreciation for sharing this story with us.

[Richard Raw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This is the best book on Aspergers that I've read so far. It's in the form of a diary by a young lady with the condition. She expresses herself so clearly, and I can really relate to much of what she writes. I really recommend anyone else with ASD to read this.

[David Cotton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like another reviewer, I find this difficult to review. It's a series of diary entries from 2011-2013 and, while it's an interesting enough read in its own way, its message is laboured.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to see how Asperger's can affect an individual and the challenges they face in everyday situations

[Wendy Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Good book I learned a lot about the subject matter. Realized I could relate to a lot more than I thought I would.

[Jennifer Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book

I enjoyed this book I found it feet interesting & informative. My one criticism is that it is slightly repetitive

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the promise of this book, taking blogs and publishing them so that people of the world can read what she went through on a semi daily basis. The only problem I had was a lot of times the passages were really short in detail, and didn't follow up. There would be an issue, and I never got the resolution or a follow up to the issue. I didn't feel like I really knew the author of the blog at all, just some random thought or shoutout to a friend. I'd like more details, the problem of the day, thoughts and feelings on it, then something later resolving it. She bought a laptop for a school, did she give it to them? did they appreciate it? how'd she feel? etc. things like that. I wanted more of a day to day with how she dealt with things, a lot of the passages and posts were hard to follow and I had to try hard to stay interested.

[Carrie Dalby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insight into the life and mind of a young woman with Asperger's (high functioning autism.)

[Karletta Abianac · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this ebook. Hearing about Erin learning to drive, getting a job at a vet and her strategies for preventing meltdowns.
A great read.