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Asperger's on the Inside
What happens when you discover at thirty that your brain runs on different software?
Chemical engineer Michelle Vines reveals the invisible world of female autism—from childhood isolation through workplace disasters to the life-changing moment of diagnosis. With wit and searing honesty, she exposes the exhausting performance of appearing "normal" and the profound relief of finally understanding why she never quite fit. A must-read for anyone who's ever felt like they're operating from a different manual than everyone else.
Chemical engineer Michelle Vines reveals the invisible world of female autism—from childhood isolation through workplace disasters to the life-changing moment of diagnosis. With wit and searing honesty, she exposes the exhausting performance of appearing "normal" and the profound relief of finally understanding why she never quite fit. A must-read for anyone who's ever felt like they're operating from a different manual than everyone else.
268 pages, Hardcover
First published April 8, 2016
83 people are currently reading
1071 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
July 24, 2016
As an adult-diagnosed (age 39) Aspie myself, I found Michelle's workplace struggle narratives particularly compelling, as I myself have had similar experiences in my career, too. Until I was diagnosed, I would have people in my life whom I felt were good friends, only to somehow manage to alienate and loose these friends, seemingly without warning. It took getting my diagnosis to finally understand the social mechanics of mutual misunderstandings as to why such things happen. Likewise, finding an adult Aspie support group was a watershed moment for Michelle and one that I can relate to strongly as well. All of my closest friends today come from that core of fellow ASD adults I met in the support group meetings that I really clicked with, and I'm happy Michelle made a similar discovery. As the title suggests, Michelle's narratives give the reader a genuine sense of what it feels like to be an adult with Asperger's syndrome from a first person perspective, what it looks and feels like to try and navigate a neurotypical social world with an autistic brain. The book is a plea for understanding and acceptance for those of us who are, in Temple Grandin's words, "Different, not less."; I definitely recommend this diagnosis memoir to any newly diagnosed adult Aspie (or individuals who suspect they may have Asperger's syndrome but have yet to seek a formal diagnosis). I also recommend it to mental health professionals seeking to better understand and treat their ASD patients in a more compassionate and caring way.
October 21, 2016
First of all, thank you very much to the author Michelle Vines, for giving me a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review.
I really loved how Michelle Vines set her book out, with her story being told, and chapters in between that covers so many interesting topics relating to Asperger's.
I like Michelle's light-hearted humor through the book. Recently, I have been going through a tough time with my diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome. I've been finding it hard to accept myself and my AS (I was diagnosed 5 years ago, but haven't dealt with it yet.). Asperger's on the Inside is especially a good book, to me, because I'm learning more about AS and therefore myself, and discovering another person I can relate to so much is really uplifting for me. She has helped a bit in coming to terms with my AS.
I really respect and admire Michelle Vines. I think, without meeting her, she's an awesome person.
I highly recommend to anyone with AS and people who know someone with AS and want to understand them more.
I really loved how Michelle Vines set her book out, with her story being told, and chapters in between that covers so many interesting topics relating to Asperger's.
I like Michelle's light-hearted humor through the book. Recently, I have been going through a tough time with my diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome. I've been finding it hard to accept myself and my AS (I was diagnosed 5 years ago, but haven't dealt with it yet.). Asperger's on the Inside is especially a good book, to me, because I'm learning more about AS and therefore myself, and discovering another person I can relate to so much is really uplifting for me. She has helped a bit in coming to terms with my AS.
I really respect and admire Michelle Vines. I think, without meeting her, she's an awesome person.
I highly recommend to anyone with AS and people who know someone with AS and want to understand them more.
July 12, 2024
I found this book fascinating. It's organized as a set of questions and answers, with each chapter discussing the answer in depth by relating personal episodes in the author's life. This made it every personal and every engaging. Once I started reading it, I had difficulty putting it down. I kept wanting to talk about it with people, but I also kept recommending others read the book, so I couldn't discuss it with them until they read it. Frustrating!
I bought this book because I was interested to find out more about Asperger's and the Autism Spectum and it seemed like hearing about it from a personal angle would be more interesting. But I started to find that I could relate to many of the experiences the author discussed. Hard to do better with a book than find out something about yourself as well as having a good time reading!
I bought this book because I was interested to find out more about Asperger's and the Autism Spectum and it seemed like hearing about it from a personal angle would be more interesting. But I started to find that I could relate to many of the experiences the author discussed. Hard to do better with a book than find out something about yourself as well as having a good time reading!
October 19, 2016
Vines' book reads more like a chat with a good friend. She's amazingly open and honest about her life as an "aspie" Although it's true you can never really walk in someone else's shoes, you can follow them down the street :) I like how Vines makes it clear this is her experience and she's not speaking for what is a really wide range of personalities and experiences. I learned new ideas such as aspies having male brains which led to an aha! moment, of which there were many for me. The Australian language glossary at the back was fun. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 1, 2017
Michelle Vines learns as a young adult that she has Asperger's Syndrome. "Asperger's on the Inside" is her autobiography, with her own story interspersed with chapters containing her answers to common questions about Asperger's.
This is not so much a book as it is a chat with Michelle. Really, it's like listening to a friend. The book has a very conversational style.
Michelle has a very positive view of being as "aspie," and so I think this book would be helpful to young people who are also on the spectrum and who may be struggling with that finding.
One thing I found interesting was Michelle's assertion that females with AS may have it easier than males. She found that "many men have seemed to like my aspie quirks and often even find me charming or my rationality refreshing and a relief from the norm ... when I look at the aspie guys I know, however, I can't help but notice how quickly typical women are repelled by those same traits and how much male aspies can struggle in want of a partner." Also "Autism in a boy can make an individual seem extreme, an outlier on the charts of what's considered 'normal' behavior, whereas women can be more of a mixed bag of 'unusual.' We may come across as odd, more rational/logical in our thinking, less empathetic, quirky, and /or 'not really like the other girls,' but we don't fall so far out of the realm of 'normal' human behavior as to be flagged."
Other insights -- noise and light are hard for Michelle to handle. She often has trouble determining the volume at which she should speak. She discusses the difference between the way aspies deal with things vs how NT's (neuro-typicals, or non-aspies) do, giving 9/11 as an example. When she heard what had happened, she thought, "Oh no, that isn't good," and went on with her day. It was only later that she realized that it was a "big deal" to people.
Michelle makes a good cheerleader for aspies in general, noting a quote by Tony Attwood: "Asperger's has probably been an important and valuable characteristic of our species throughout evolution." And, "Autism is not a processing error. It's a different operating system."
I'm not sure this book would appeal to the general public, but if you either have Asperger's yourself or know someone who does, you'll find it an interesting insight into the mind of someone on the autism spectrum.
This is not so much a book as it is a chat with Michelle. Really, it's like listening to a friend. The book has a very conversational style.
Michelle has a very positive view of being as "aspie," and so I think this book would be helpful to young people who are also on the spectrum and who may be struggling with that finding.
One thing I found interesting was Michelle's assertion that females with AS may have it easier than males. She found that "many men have seemed to like my aspie quirks and often even find me charming or my rationality refreshing and a relief from the norm ... when I look at the aspie guys I know, however, I can't help but notice how quickly typical women are repelled by those same traits and how much male aspies can struggle in want of a partner." Also "Autism in a boy can make an individual seem extreme, an outlier on the charts of what's considered 'normal' behavior, whereas women can be more of a mixed bag of 'unusual.' We may come across as odd, more rational/logical in our thinking, less empathetic, quirky, and /or 'not really like the other girls,' but we don't fall so far out of the realm of 'normal' human behavior as to be flagged."
Other insights -- noise and light are hard for Michelle to handle. She often has trouble determining the volume at which she should speak. She discusses the difference between the way aspies deal with things vs how NT's (neuro-typicals, or non-aspies) do, giving 9/11 as an example. When she heard what had happened, she thought, "Oh no, that isn't good," and went on with her day. It was only later that she realized that it was a "big deal" to people.
Michelle makes a good cheerleader for aspies in general, noting a quote by Tony Attwood: "Asperger's has probably been an important and valuable characteristic of our species throughout evolution." And, "Autism is not a processing error. It's a different operating system."
I'm not sure this book would appeal to the general public, but if you either have Asperger's yourself or know someone who does, you'll find it an interesting insight into the mind of someone on the autism spectrum.
April 25, 2017
One of the annoying things about many books with "autism" or "Asperger's" on the cover is the lack of actual content relating to the title. Having said that, it is delicate balance to craft a personal story as well as deliver on the promise of the title. In Asperger's on the Inside Michelle Vines does the job and balances the content rather well. Personally I liked the stories about people interactions at work earning money as an engineer and then the stories about people interactions working as a full-time mother. It shows the consistency of social problems across different environments, even though they may be of a different type. I am also glad it is not marketed as a story of the feminine version of autism (as many are). Whenever I have read the stories there is more to relate with than not. Just like those books, there is much to relate with here regardless of gender. Sometimes it is a help just to know we are not alone in our experiences.
The book is written in an interesting format - each chapter is the answer to a question, or an expanded thought, or a part of Michelle Vines' life story. The chapters are generally short, and with the mixture there is always something interesting happening for the reader. The conversational style Michelle uses comes across as someone who has the aim of informing and helping. And she does.
The book is written in an interesting format - each chapter is the answer to a question, or an expanded thought, or a part of Michelle Vines' life story. The chapters are generally short, and with the mixture there is always something interesting happening for the reader. The conversational style Michelle uses comes across as someone who has the aim of informing and helping. And she does.
December 22, 2016
My son was diagnosed with Aspergers, since then I tend to try and read anything I can get my hands on to research AS, and a lot of books I'm finding myself questioning "could I be?" most of the books I read lack personal experiences, things that happened, it's just a book giving definitions and tricks to cope (holistic stuff, etc) so many books like that focus on some of the traits and not all, and that's why I go back and forth between, Am I? no..I'm normal! but what about when I do this..? so textbook definitions are not what I want. This author found me on a review I wrote complaining about it.
This book satisfied a lot of my need to read personal experiences, I really liked that she went back in her past and identified a lot of situations and things that happened, straight up to her questioning if she had it or not. There was a lot in it I wish got more depth and more time, but overall I enjoyed reading the book. The author comes across as really likeable and if I lived where she lived I would totally consider looking her up to be friends. A lot of pages and passages made me feel like she was me, a lot of it really made me think, opened up my eyes, I really appreciated that, and that the author opened up her inner thoughts to us to read.
This book satisfied a lot of my need to read personal experiences, I really liked that she went back in her past and identified a lot of situations and things that happened, straight up to her questioning if she had it or not. There was a lot in it I wish got more depth and more time, but overall I enjoyed reading the book. The author comes across as really likeable and if I lived where she lived I would totally consider looking her up to be friends. A lot of pages and passages made me feel like she was me, a lot of it really made me think, opened up my eyes, I really appreciated that, and that the author opened up her inner thoughts to us to read.
April 19, 2016
I really liked this book. Michelle Vines clearly sets forth how someone with Aspergers, or high-functioning autism operates in every day life. I found her style of writing easy to follow and understand, unlike the typical textbook definitions and descriptions of people on the spectrum that mostly confused and confounded me. I have a much deeper comprehension of AS in general and so much empathy for Aspies and of their struggles now. I do relate to a lot of what she is saying. While this book is useful for both men and women on the spectrum, I feel it is most helpful for women who up until now have not been recognized as being different in their manifestation of Aspergers than men. I think this parallels the history of sexism in general in the mental health profession where women were judged solely by men's standards rather than their own. If you have wondered if you might be autistic this book may clarify your doubts and lead to a self-diagnosis or formal diagnosis by a mental health professional. Much needed book by a delightful and gifted individual!
December 8, 2017
Ok autobiographical account of growing up in Australia with undiagnosed Asperger's Syndrome. I still can't complete figure out why this one didn't work for me. The spectacular overuse of exclamation points was a tiny part of it, I'm sure - it's hard to read a book that exuberant.
June 21, 2023
Highly recommended as an autistic person myself who got diagnosed very late in life most of what she had said about her life as an autistic person matches myself I feel for her …
April 21, 2016
I got to read this book as an ARC courtesy of Grey Gecko Press in exchange for a review. Given that my older brother has Asperger's, plus I have a few friends who are 'Aspies,' I am more than a little familiar with the subject of this syndrome, so this was definitely an intriguing read. It was thus interesting to read an Aspie's take on her condition. Michelle is funny, sweet, and thoughtful, and the book reads like you're sitting down to coffee with her while she explains, enlightens, and entertains you with her own views on this typically misunderstood form of autism. I would highly recommend Michelle's story if you're wanting a warmer take on Asperger's Syndrome.
October 9, 2016
A very easy read and written from the heart. When I received this book, I didn't know it was going to be a personal story and reflection. I think this book is good for educators or parents who may have children with Asperger's -- these children may be easily misunderstood to be anti-social or unfeeling. I enjoyed reading this book because 1. there weren't many scientific terms to get through and really, it was an easy read and 2. it wasn't some made-up fictional story about someone. Thanks Michelle for the book. :)
July 12, 2016
I find that the way people feel about Michelle Vines very accurately reflects what kind of people they are. That's because she is very genuine and sincere, so what you see is really what you get. People who like that have an appreciation for honesty and integrity. People who dislike that are people who choose to take offense at things.
This book is great because Michelle Vines is great.
This book is great because Michelle Vines is great.
October 31, 2016
OK, well that went and gobbled my partial review. Oh well.
This review may contain spoilers. In fact it almost certainly does. As non-fiction, I think that may be allowed, I never get this spoiler thing, but I do try to "accept" some people don't like them.
OK, first off, the writing was really quite good. In a way that surprised me. But maybe it shouldn't have.
I really enjoyed almost all of it. Some bits made me very sad. Some bits I seriously was happy to read. Then...
There were a few bits where I felt that the author ended up failing to understand the topic of autism (I choose that term over Asperger Syndrome) and these issues may stem largely from the community which she belongs to.
I know that Michelle (the author) speaks a lot about being able to fit in, and that no one really notices her in the world. I don't know if the pictures which ended up getting picked for her here, and elsewhere are "typical" of her or not, but they scream loudly autistic to me.
While most alltistic people probably will not see anything clear in terms of that, I think many autistics will see it in a flash.
I'm not going to mention the three issues which I noticed which led me to believe that the community which the author belongs to is a much different community than the one which I belong to. Other than the one where I really wonder how much communication she has had with autistics, I would say those issues are largely of perspective. The one I think that may well be worth taking a much deeper look at, I think I'll end up writing about (though possibly not here) in the future.
This review may contain spoilers. In fact it almost certainly does. As non-fiction, I think that may be allowed, I never get this spoiler thing, but I do try to "accept" some people don't like them.
OK, first off, the writing was really quite good. In a way that surprised me. But maybe it shouldn't have.
I really enjoyed almost all of it. Some bits made me very sad. Some bits I seriously was happy to read. Then...
There were a few bits where I felt that the author ended up failing to understand the topic of autism (I choose that term over Asperger Syndrome) and these issues may stem largely from the community which she belongs to.
I know that Michelle (the author) speaks a lot about being able to fit in, and that no one really notices her in the world. I don't know if the pictures which ended up getting picked for her here, and elsewhere are "typical" of her or not, but they scream loudly autistic to me.
While most alltistic people probably will not see anything clear in terms of that, I think many autistics will see it in a flash.
I'm not going to mention the three issues which I noticed which led me to believe that the community which the author belongs to is a much different community than the one which I belong to. Other than the one where I really wonder how much communication she has had with autistics, I would say those issues are largely of perspective. The one I think that may well be worth taking a much deeper look at, I think I'll end up writing about (though possibly not here) in the future.
April 14, 2016
FTC: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation for this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Asperger’s on the Inside by Michelle Vines was an interesting book to read. When I saw one of the places I review books for was offering this book, I knew I had to get it and fit it into my schedule sooner than it would have taken me usually. I am so glad that I did because I loved everything about this book. I had to keep reading it because I wanted to know how it worked out for her and how her life turned out. I also loved that instead of just talking about her life throughout the entire book she answered questions. I am sure that it would bother some people that she jumps around but I love it because it made me understand a little bit more about how some individuals who have Autism may think. She also did an excellent job of making me understand why some people who have Autism don’t react to things right away and why that may be. I could go on for days about this book so I will leave it here. I think everyone should read this book because it was so super interesting.
Asperger’s on the Inside by Michelle Vines was an interesting book to read. When I saw one of the places I review books for was offering this book, I knew I had to get it and fit it into my schedule sooner than it would have taken me usually. I am so glad that I did because I loved everything about this book. I had to keep reading it because I wanted to know how it worked out for her and how her life turned out. I also loved that instead of just talking about her life throughout the entire book she answered questions. I am sure that it would bother some people that she jumps around but I love it because it made me understand a little bit more about how some individuals who have Autism may think. She also did an excellent job of making me understand why some people who have Autism don’t react to things right away and why that may be. I could go on for days about this book so I will leave it here. I think everyone should read this book because it was so super interesting.
July 5, 2016
Despite the occasional typo and the overly conversational style of writing, I really enjoyed reading this book. As an Aspie who was also diagnosed later in life, I was able to relate to many of the author's experiences.
For example, her description of discovering that she truly had Asperger's instead of just having a few of the traits was very similar to how I felt during my discovery process: "I wasn't just a little bit Aspie. This was me - the stories being related - were completely me, and it was the most amazing discovery."
This book will definitely feel familiar to other Aspies, and it's also a decent resource for NTs who want to learn more about what it's like to have Asperger's without reading long, drawn-out medical explanations. Of course, not all of the author's traits and experiences are shared by every Aspie. After all, as the saying goes, if you've met one person with Asperger's, you've met one person with Asperger's.
For example, her description of discovering that she truly had Asperger's instead of just having a few of the traits was very similar to how I felt during my discovery process: "I wasn't just a little bit Aspie. This was me - the stories being related - were completely me, and it was the most amazing discovery."
This book will definitely feel familiar to other Aspies, and it's also a decent resource for NTs who want to learn more about what it's like to have Asperger's without reading long, drawn-out medical explanations. Of course, not all of the author's traits and experiences are shared by every Aspie. After all, as the saying goes, if you've met one person with Asperger's, you've met one person with Asperger's.
November 22, 2016
5 Stars
Asperger’s on the Inside is a different memoir and look on how it is to have so called high functioning Aspergers and yet have struggles. It hit me hard because on the outside it might look as a person that comes from a academical family with great support should have every opportunity to succeed well in life. And yet it seems like internally I go from challenge to challenge in ways many people haven’t even considered as something to be bothered by.
Michelle write with a lot of humour. It makes the book enjoyable to read and it is also a very honest memoir. I can’t recommend it enough, even just to the curious. It has take on many different issues and it is written differently than many books on the theme out there.
Asperger’s on the Inside is a different memoir and look on how it is to have so called high functioning Aspergers and yet have struggles. It hit me hard because on the outside it might look as a person that comes from a academical family with great support should have every opportunity to succeed well in life. And yet it seems like internally I go from challenge to challenge in ways many people haven’t even considered as something to be bothered by.
Michelle write with a lot of humour. It makes the book enjoyable to read and it is also a very honest memoir. I can’t recommend it enough, even just to the curious. It has take on many different issues and it is written differently than many books on the theme out there.
April 21, 2016
I was given this book as an advanced readers copy in exchange for a honest review.
This book was very interestingly written, very different from other autobiographical books. Also knowing a person with Asperger this book gave more insight into what must be going on in such individuals private thoughts and feelings.
It was a very interesting book to read. Worth a read ( especially if you know an aspy).
Yolande Bird
This book was very interestingly written, very different from other autobiographical books. Also knowing a person with Asperger this book gave more insight into what must be going on in such individuals private thoughts and feelings.
It was a very interesting book to read. Worth a read ( especially if you know an aspy).
Yolande Bird
April 21, 2016
Incredibly intriguing and interesting, the author herself has Aspergers, but wasn't diagnosed until she was an adult. Her novel is part reflection, part informative and part memoir of her experiences, thoughts, reasonings and hopes. Part of the book is set out in a Q & A format, which actually makes for clear understanding. I would recommend this book to anyone curious about Aspergers in child or adult, or for any adult recently diagnosed and struggling with what this means.
August 18, 2016
After finishing reading your book, I must say it was absolutely brilliant and could relate to so much of it. It certainly made me think back to my younger days, and even now realising that I too was oblivious to some of these things that happened. Thanks so much for writing such a heartfelt story. I especially loved the way you went back and forth with the chapters…. Works completely fine with my aspie way of thinking!
October 23, 2016
How special to be invited into someone's private world. I now have a better understanding of what Asperger's Syndrome is. Perhaps it will make me more understanding in the future. I come away from this book thinking that we all have some Asperger symptoms but not enough to receive the label.
I enjoyed seeing Michelle's becoming more and more positive as she came to grips with her awareness of herself-both her strengths and weaknesses.
I enjoyed seeing Michelle's becoming more and more positive as she came to grips with her awareness of herself-both her strengths and weaknesses.
January 14, 2021
This book is as much a story of a creative, honest, humorous, thoughtful mother, wife, and friend. It is also a very valuable resource for those seeking to understand their beloved spectrumites. Well written and an enjoyable read. In short, a publication that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND to others! :)
August 15, 2018
I like books that are in some way about the workings of the brain. I am probably somewhere on the autism spectrum.
October 24, 2016
This is a book review for the ARC (advance reader's copy) of Asperger's On the Inside by Michelle Vines and published by Grey Gecko Press. This is not sponsored but I was provided a free ebook copy of the ARC in exchange for my honest review, which is what I am doing right now. I did not receive any other form of compensation for doing this except for the free book, which is compensation in and of itself. I love books.
It isn't meant to be taken as a textbook or educational book at all so you need to keep in mind that it is a memoir when you are reading it, and you need to judge it as such. It is a personal story. In this book, we follow our author on her personal journey through life with Asperger's and being on the autism spectrum. Make sure you read the introduction before you purchase the book because it will kind of give you an insight and pretty good idea as to what the book is about, so if you're not looking for that kind of book you will know that this is not the book for you. So if you're looking for "this is a textbook on what Asperger's is like" or "this is what it looks like," et cetera, this isn't for you, but if you want a personal moving story, like firsthand "this is what it's like for ME," this is good for you. The author wants to come across as "me, no lists of signs and symptoms, no typical Aspie behavior charts, just me." This is why she doesn't expand upon her own definition of Asperger's until the end of the book which I personally think is a fully justified and really good idea, because it makes sense and it fits the book perfectly.
This book is very personal. It is not a work of fiction by any means. The author's style of writing is very bubbly and conversational and it almost feels like you're sitting with her at a table having some snacks and saying, "Hey, how's your life? Tell me about your life," and she tells you her whole life story and it's just like you're friends with her and I like it, and it's sweet. It's not intimidating or difficult to comprehend or anything at all. She uses very eloquent language but also simple language that anyone can understand, which is good for me because sometimes I say my vocabulary is very nice but when I find myself reading a canonical work of literature, I think, "hey, what the heck does this word mean? I have no idea."
She also incorporates a lot of Australian slang in her writing because she's from there, and for a little American like me, it was at times hard to understand, but with a little googling I figured it out. So I think you'll be fine. After the introduction and first chapter, the book is laid out in a question and answer format, which the author says is easier for her to write and I can actually see that and I can feel her enthusiasm for the questions that she's answering as she's writing, because you can actually feel that she's enjoying what she's doing.
I really liked this insight into the mind of someone with Asperger's syndrome. And I think it's interesting how she claims she hates writing but is good at it. It's like she set aside that hatred to give us this book and insight into her world which I incredibly appreciate and am grateful for because I really enjoyed it. I wonder, she must be so passionate about this subject that the fact that she hates to write was unimportant and she easily dismissed that concern and just focused on the writing, which I really liked. It made me really happy. I also liked that she doesn't simply answer a question and move on like I expected a Q&A to be, but she actually goes into depth and detail about each subject and each topic and answers any question we might possibly have. So at the beginning, I'm thinking, "oh, what about this or what about this," but then by the end of the chapter, she has answered all of that and more, without even knowing I was going to ask those questions, so that's pretty cool. I really liked that.
I wrote down a couple of specific things that I liked about this book, too. The notion that she discovered in first grade that she had to change her behavior in order to fit in and be accepted by the general public was profound to me, especially for a small child, because when you think about it, kids don't really think about things like that but she had to in order to survive and fit in with everybody else she had to understand that and come to terms with it early in her life.
I liked the title because it emphasizes the fact that the illness is invisible, much like depression or other autism spectrum disorders. You may not see the effects that it has on the person on the outside, but you need to remember that they are definitely struggling on the inside and you cannot discount that. For the most part it is not visible for the people around you, but in your self and mind it is highly prevalent, therefore needs to be accounted for. I love the author's active role and openness in regards to breaking down stereotypes. I love the line where she says, "Openness, honesty, and kindness is my only style." Also, the following line was very moving, and I think this is where she got the title from; "I am neurotypical on the outside, and Asperger's on the inside." So that kind of makes sense: she is trying to depict herself as someone who has no struggles and is just simple and normal on the outside, but on the inside she really does have a lot of things to deal with, and it is a big part of her as a person.
By chapter five, I was honestly eager to keep reading. The start was admittedly a tad slow but by the point of chapter five, I was getting really into it and I fell in love with the author and her voice and the way she was telling me these things and I felt like, I don't know. Like I wanted to reach out and give her a hug and tell her that it'll be fine, and she'll be okay and that she's great. I know a handful of people on the autism spectrum and this book is really great for people who have people that they know that suffer with something like this because it kind of gives you an insight into the fact that just because someone cannot or may not be speaking to you, doesn't mean they have nothing to say. And kindness, patience, things like that, they genuinely can mean the world to some people. To average people, yeah, being patient and kind is nice, but to some people, it can make or break them or their days, so you need to be careful and mindful. You never know what people are struggling with. Be good.
Also, she mentioned that where she lived, she would occasionally go behind the school and find kangaroo or wallaby bones. Where I live, I'm lucky if I find a tiny little bird bone, which I honestly hate seeing because I love birds but a deer skull maybe, in the deep woods, but like, a kangaroo bone? That is so exotic. How does that work?
I'm really glad that she thinks the gender binary is not a good thing. She is constantly struggling with the fact that she doesn't fit into either box, male or female, and that she has a more stereotypically masculine mind and way of seeing things, but is physically a female. And the fact that she recognizes that there are more than two, and realizes that she's free to be who she is, that makes a world of difference.
I like when the author quipped, "If the internet only had change rooms, I wouldn't even venture into these stores, but alas, they don't." This was when she was talking about her distaste and dislike for clothing stores. And in the same chapter on fashion, I had a thought. If somehow the author happens to be reading this, first of all, great book, I loved it, you're the best, I really loved this writing, and second of all, I urge you to consider starting your own fashion line or store or chain of places that are what you described in the book. One store sells only tee shirts, one store sells only long sleeved shirts, one store sells only jeans or pants or socks or whatever, because I genuinely think there is a market for that and it would help many people such as yourself be able to shop in an environment that lets them see things without unnecessary anxiety fueling their choices, so don't dismiss that idea. I think you had a good idea there when you mentioned that in the book.
All in all, I am very pleased with this book. This is the first ARC I have ever received or read, and I really liked it. Thank you for taking the time to read my review. All the best.
It isn't meant to be taken as a textbook or educational book at all so you need to keep in mind that it is a memoir when you are reading it, and you need to judge it as such. It is a personal story. In this book, we follow our author on her personal journey through life with Asperger's and being on the autism spectrum. Make sure you read the introduction before you purchase the book because it will kind of give you an insight and pretty good idea as to what the book is about, so if you're not looking for that kind of book you will know that this is not the book for you. So if you're looking for "this is a textbook on what Asperger's is like" or "this is what it looks like," et cetera, this isn't for you, but if you want a personal moving story, like firsthand "this is what it's like for ME," this is good for you. The author wants to come across as "me, no lists of signs and symptoms, no typical Aspie behavior charts, just me." This is why she doesn't expand upon her own definition of Asperger's until the end of the book which I personally think is a fully justified and really good idea, because it makes sense and it fits the book perfectly.
This book is very personal. It is not a work of fiction by any means. The author's style of writing is very bubbly and conversational and it almost feels like you're sitting with her at a table having some snacks and saying, "Hey, how's your life? Tell me about your life," and she tells you her whole life story and it's just like you're friends with her and I like it, and it's sweet. It's not intimidating or difficult to comprehend or anything at all. She uses very eloquent language but also simple language that anyone can understand, which is good for me because sometimes I say my vocabulary is very nice but when I find myself reading a canonical work of literature, I think, "hey, what the heck does this word mean? I have no idea."
She also incorporates a lot of Australian slang in her writing because she's from there, and for a little American like me, it was at times hard to understand, but with a little googling I figured it out. So I think you'll be fine. After the introduction and first chapter, the book is laid out in a question and answer format, which the author says is easier for her to write and I can actually see that and I can feel her enthusiasm for the questions that she's answering as she's writing, because you can actually feel that she's enjoying what she's doing.
I really liked this insight into the mind of someone with Asperger's syndrome. And I think it's interesting how she claims she hates writing but is good at it. It's like she set aside that hatred to give us this book and insight into her world which I incredibly appreciate and am grateful for because I really enjoyed it. I wonder, she must be so passionate about this subject that the fact that she hates to write was unimportant and she easily dismissed that concern and just focused on the writing, which I really liked. It made me really happy. I also liked that she doesn't simply answer a question and move on like I expected a Q&A to be, but she actually goes into depth and detail about each subject and each topic and answers any question we might possibly have. So at the beginning, I'm thinking, "oh, what about this or what about this," but then by the end of the chapter, she has answered all of that and more, without even knowing I was going to ask those questions, so that's pretty cool. I really liked that.
I wrote down a couple of specific things that I liked about this book, too. The notion that she discovered in first grade that she had to change her behavior in order to fit in and be accepted by the general public was profound to me, especially for a small child, because when you think about it, kids don't really think about things like that but she had to in order to survive and fit in with everybody else she had to understand that and come to terms with it early in her life.
I liked the title because it emphasizes the fact that the illness is invisible, much like depression or other autism spectrum disorders. You may not see the effects that it has on the person on the outside, but you need to remember that they are definitely struggling on the inside and you cannot discount that. For the most part it is not visible for the people around you, but in your self and mind it is highly prevalent, therefore needs to be accounted for. I love the author's active role and openness in regards to breaking down stereotypes. I love the line where she says, "Openness, honesty, and kindness is my only style." Also, the following line was very moving, and I think this is where she got the title from; "I am neurotypical on the outside, and Asperger's on the inside." So that kind of makes sense: she is trying to depict herself as someone who has no struggles and is just simple and normal on the outside, but on the inside she really does have a lot of things to deal with, and it is a big part of her as a person.
By chapter five, I was honestly eager to keep reading. The start was admittedly a tad slow but by the point of chapter five, I was getting really into it and I fell in love with the author and her voice and the way she was telling me these things and I felt like, I don't know. Like I wanted to reach out and give her a hug and tell her that it'll be fine, and she'll be okay and that she's great. I know a handful of people on the autism spectrum and this book is really great for people who have people that they know that suffer with something like this because it kind of gives you an insight into the fact that just because someone cannot or may not be speaking to you, doesn't mean they have nothing to say. And kindness, patience, things like that, they genuinely can mean the world to some people. To average people, yeah, being patient and kind is nice, but to some people, it can make or break them or their days, so you need to be careful and mindful. You never know what people are struggling with. Be good.
Also, she mentioned that where she lived, she would occasionally go behind the school and find kangaroo or wallaby bones. Where I live, I'm lucky if I find a tiny little bird bone, which I honestly hate seeing because I love birds but a deer skull maybe, in the deep woods, but like, a kangaroo bone? That is so exotic. How does that work?
I'm really glad that she thinks the gender binary is not a good thing. She is constantly struggling with the fact that she doesn't fit into either box, male or female, and that she has a more stereotypically masculine mind and way of seeing things, but is physically a female. And the fact that she recognizes that there are more than two, and realizes that she's free to be who she is, that makes a world of difference.
I like when the author quipped, "If the internet only had change rooms, I wouldn't even venture into these stores, but alas, they don't." This was when she was talking about her distaste and dislike for clothing stores. And in the same chapter on fashion, I had a thought. If somehow the author happens to be reading this, first of all, great book, I loved it, you're the best, I really loved this writing, and second of all, I urge you to consider starting your own fashion line or store or chain of places that are what you described in the book. One store sells only tee shirts, one store sells only long sleeved shirts, one store sells only jeans or pants or socks or whatever, because I genuinely think there is a market for that and it would help many people such as yourself be able to shop in an environment that lets them see things without unnecessary anxiety fueling their choices, so don't dismiss that idea. I think you had a good idea there when you mentioned that in the book.
All in all, I am very pleased with this book. This is the first ARC I have ever received or read, and I really liked it. Thank you for taking the time to read my review. All the best.
June 16, 2019
I found this Asperger's memoir very interesting and enlighting on the topic itself but also helpful to understand of one of my friends better. The style was overall easy to follow and understand but there were parts I struggled with. I agree with a Perry (a friend from the Thriller Group) it reads more like a chat with a friend than usual biography/memoir which makes it way more appealing but lacks in terms of hard core medical knowledge (since it wasn't the aim of the book and the author communicated it clearly from the very beginning it wasn't an issue for me but I thought important to mention for those looking for that kind of book). I think this book so valuable I plan to contact the author and see if there's any possibility for a translation into German and Polish - I really would love to give it to a friend of mine - we'll see how it will work out.
November 14, 2025
This is an important book for autistic youth and adults to read. If you’re autistic, it can save you a lot of trouble and help you understand yourself and your life better.
The tone suits young people but everyone can learn from it.
I’m curious as to why the term Aspies is used since we know now that Dr. Asberger was a bit of a eugenicist. Ànd that autism is on a spectrum.
The tone suits young people but everyone can learn from it.
I’m curious as to why the term Aspies is used since we know now that Dr. Asberger was a bit of a eugenicist. Ànd that autism is on a spectrum.
September 14, 2021
A very informative book by a woman who is on the spectrum.
August 27, 2019
A great insight
I don’t know how I came across this book but I am glad I did. Having a relative with Autism and another with a similar condition it helped immensely to understand how they may be thinking and why they may have acted in a way they had.
It gives a real insight into what it is like living with Aspergers Syndrome rather than just the medical facts and figures.
I came to really like and understand the author Michelle as I just completely got her.
For anyone interested in the condition Aspergers Syndrome, having someone in their life with it or thinking they might have it themselves, this is a great book written from the heart of someone who knows.
I don’t know how I came across this book but I am glad I did. Having a relative with Autism and another with a similar condition it helped immensely to understand how they may be thinking and why they may have acted in a way they had.
It gives a real insight into what it is like living with Aspergers Syndrome rather than just the medical facts and figures.
I came to really like and understand the author Michelle as I just completely got her.
For anyone interested in the condition Aspergers Syndrome, having someone in their life with it or thinking they might have it themselves, this is a great book written from the heart of someone who knows.
October 18, 2016
Michelle's book was extremely interesting to me. Rather than being a straight forward documentation of symptoms or a guidebook to dealing with those on the spectrum, however, it was a memoir in the truest form of the word where the author takes you through moments of her life and explains her own thoughts. This was simultaneously fascinating and frustrating to me, as I kept waiting for the "Asperger's" part to kick in. I kept thinking, Yes, Yes, I know, welcome to high school. Or, Doesn't everyone feel that way at work? My favorite part was when she was talking about picking up on social cues and I thought, "That's because social cues are completely nonsensical and you just have to memorize each person. Mental color coded flow charts solve this problem..." My conclusion is that, as I think Michelle's point through out the book is, people are people - even Asperger's people are people - and once you get to know them, through all the mishaps and misconceptions, they can be familiar friends no matter what their label.
Currently, I have a goal to help Grey Gecko Press get at least one copy of this book into every school in the state of Texas. It is an excellent resource for any parent, teacher, or counselor who deals with humans, but especially for those who deal with humans who may be on the spectrum. I don't think these sorts of resources should be limited to the special ed department either, I strongly feel that teachers of GT programs read through this memoir as well, being that Michelle and others like her scrape by being highly intelligent undiagnosed nerds. Being a high functioning autistic doesn't mean that your inner life isn't a bit of a hell a lot of the time.
(If you are a teacher or educator who happens across this review, please email - andiklemm@rocketmail.com - or contact Grey Gecko Press directly about who is best to contact in your district/ region regarding purchases of this book eligible for an educator discount.)
Currently, I have a goal to help Grey Gecko Press get at least one copy of this book into every school in the state of Texas. It is an excellent resource for any parent, teacher, or counselor who deals with humans, but especially for those who deal with humans who may be on the spectrum. I don't think these sorts of resources should be limited to the special ed department either, I strongly feel that teachers of GT programs read through this memoir as well, being that Michelle and others like her scrape by being highly intelligent undiagnosed nerds. Being a high functioning autistic doesn't mean that your inner life isn't a bit of a hell a lot of the time.
(If you are a teacher or educator who happens across this review, please email - andiklemm@rocketmail.com - or contact Grey Gecko Press directly about who is best to contact in your district/ region regarding purchases of this book eligible for an educator discount.)
April 21, 2016
This book had some Q & A portion which the author wrote herself. It was both an easy and hard read for me. Easy because it was presented in such a way that can be understood by the lay person - no medical jargon nor detailed wordy explanations, instead it illustrated glimpses of someone's life which happened to be that of a person with Aspergers. It was a hard read for me because I cannot get over the use of the word "Aspies". For me it was both cutesy and trying hard attempts to be hip and cool.
There are some relatable moments - high school and teenage years are always tough years and you do not have to have Aspergers to experience the things that Michelle had when she was at that stage in life.
This can be useful for some people who wants to have a general idea of what Aspergers is without getting bored to death or confused with the technicalities. It is presented in such a way that gives different scenarios on Michelle's journey in life.
Overall, a good but not great read.
I received an advanced free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
There are some relatable moments - high school and teenage years are always tough years and you do not have to have Aspergers to experience the things that Michelle had when she was at that stage in life.
This can be useful for some people who wants to have a general idea of what Aspergers is without getting bored to death or confused with the technicalities. It is presented in such a way that gives different scenarios on Michelle's journey in life.
Overall, a good but not great read.
I received an advanced free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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