Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome

by Clarabelle van Niekerk, Liezl Venter

The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Winner Holiday 2008
 
Shortlisted for Speech Pathology Australia's Book of the Year in the lower primary category
 
Answering the question Why is Sam different?, this heartwarming story tells of the challenges of living with Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism. This firsthand view of the life of an undiagnosed child presents behaviors and characteristics that are common among children with this disorder. Sam doesn't like his pancakes to touch, his sister is annoyed with his repetitive song, and his new coat hurts his skin, but once he is diagnosed, teamwork-based support helps Sam's life become a little easier. With endearing illustrations, the book includes 10 helpful tips geared toward children, showing them how to respect and accept differences as well as to interact with a classmate or friend with Asperger Syndrome.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Picture Books, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Disability, School, Fiction

48 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty great, especially in showing how a diagnosis is often met with "Oh, of COURSE, that's what's happening" instead of being some end of the world thing. Everybody in this book new that Sam was different, that he was finding some things really easy and some things really hard, they just didn't know WHY. And once they did, things got better for everybody (including Sam, who got to perform with his Cello, in a non-scratchy suit).

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to the characteristics of children with Asperger Syndrome. I thought at the beginning of the book that Sam's family already knew he had Asperger Syndrome, because they were so tolerant of his eccentricities. However, toward the end they go to the doctor and the diagnosis is made. I thought the parents were too unrealistically accepting of the diagnosis (the pictures depict big, broad smiles on their faces, where I'd expect worried looks). I suppose, though, the author intended to give readers a positive image of Asperger children. Overall, the book does an excellent job of describing Asperger Syndrome, and van Niekerk provides a very useful list of 10 suggestions for other children when dealing with a child with Asperger. I can highly recommend this along with Kathy Hoopmann's All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome.

[Zachary Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book for depicting Asperger's syndrome positively. As someone with Asperger's syndrome I can say I have personal experience with being like Sam. I hate having food touch as much as Sam does, and I was different from my classmates in school. I love how the book shows children with Asperger's are capable so long as adult's are patient.

[Ch13_julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teaching children about disabilities can be difficult whether the children have a disability or not. This book is written by Liezl Venter, a member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association and has worked in clinical settings in the US and around the world. She writes this book with a background that specializes in working with students with autistic spectrum disorders. This book features a little boy who is diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. The story explains his personality through stories about his experiences at home and school. The book encourages readers to be accepting and caring towards their peers who have disabilities. The book ends with a letter to children and tips on how to interact with students like the main character of this book.

The themes seen throughout this book are disability awareness, friendship, and bullying. I think this would be a great book to read with students in grades K-5. The book recommends that it is for 5-7, but I think older students would benefit from reading this just as much as the younger groups. This would be an excellent book to use at the beginning of the year when setting standards for how to treat our peers. It shows students how to be accepting of students with disabilities, but I would recommend that teachers who use this book in the classroom are clear that not ALL students with Autism or Asperger's act the same way as Sam. All students with disabilities are individuals and should be treated as such. I have concerns that this book might make young students think that they can generalize characteristics of students with disabilities.

Overall, I would recommend this book and I thought it sent a great message, but teachers should be aware of the conversations that are necessary to have before, during, and after reading this book.

[Idaly Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is required for Dr. Sykes' READ3307 course at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Sam is a young boy who lives with his mom, dad, his big sister, Emma, and his dog, Oscar. Sam behaves differently than other children, making him an easy target at school. His worried parents take Sam to see his doctor who informs them that Sam has a form of autism called Asperger syndrome. Sam is a young, happy boy who behaves differently than other children. He loves to giggle and he loves to play the cello. Sam feels and thinks differently than other kids; he is more emotional and cries a lot. Sam is often misunderstood and has a hard time making friends. Sam's mom and dad are very supportive parents. They are often worried and unaware that their son has Asperger syndrome. Emma, like her parents, is unaware that Sam has Asperger syndrome. She is supportive of her little brother but does get annoyed by him at times. The story mostly takes place in the house where Sam and his family live as well as in Sam and Emma's school. The story is told over the span of a few months, with both daytime and nighttime scenes. The theme of this story is that being different is okay and that it is very important to work together as a team so that we can all understand each other better. The story is told in third person Omniscient. The narrator knows everything that is happening, but is not a character in the book. The style of the book is unique. The authors use big color words at the beginning of paragraphs to state the time, place, or person that the paragraph will be about. The presentation of the book is fun and colorful with many pictures throughout the book. Many culture implications can be seen throughout the book. Family culture, school culture, and developmental implications such as Autism are shown. The publisher recommends this book for children in grades K-2.

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have an 8-year-old with Asperger's so I have first-hand experience with a child who won't eat food that touches (though the food issues go way beyond just touching), won't wear certain articles of clothing (because things can be too tight, too loose, too scratchy, too colorful, etc), struggles to make friends because they only want to talk about one thing over and over again, loses control of emotions over things others don't understand, and would rather stay home than go to school.

To me this book barely touches on what it's really like to live with someone with Asperger's. If this is supposed to teach others to understand someone with Asperger's, I don't think it's very realistic for a child to leave his house at night and walk to a fair just because he wants to ride the ferris wheel again.

I liked how the parents got help for Sam and once he was diagnosed the involved his school teacher so she could help Sam feel more included. I also liked the "10 Helpful Tips" at the end like take turns talking, understand that change is hard, keep calm because some Asperger's children are sensitive to loud noise, know that they might not look you in the eye, remember you might have to tell them if they are talking about the same thing over and over again, and sometimes it's hard to carry on a conversation but keep trying.

[Stacy Countee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam is a young boy who has Asperger's Syndrome. Before Sam was diagnosed, he struggled to make friends with the other kids at school, he cried easily and for long periods of time, and he wondered away from home to go to a fair. Sam behaved differently from the other children his age, but little was done at the time. However, once diagnosed, his life changed for the better. He even found his talent of playing the cello. The people involved in his life was taught how to help and Sam was given help on his work, talking and playing with others.

This is a book for second grade students, but can be read to students in lower grade levels. This is a picture book, but it has the feel of a chapter book because of the high number of words and colorful big 2-3 words introduction on each page. This is an easy read and can lead to great classroom discussions about how differences can be things we're good at or things that are difficult. This story sends the message that being different is ok and that the key is to work as a team. Students can write or draw pictures about their differences that make them special.

[Gianni Llano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the book did a great job of introducing Aspergers Syndrome. I loved that it explained how to deal with this syndrome and explained the everyday life of someone living with it at a young age.

[Stephanie Chiaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome is a book about a little boy, Sam, who has some special quirks. He doesn't like his food to touch, he loves playing the same song over and over again, humming and building puzzles at school, and doing things routinely. That being said, he enjoys his things they way they are (his old coat), and is very sensitive. After deciding to walk to the fair by himself late, one night, his family decided something had to be done, so they took Sam to the doctor. The doctor diagnosed Sam with Asperger Syndrome and stressed the importance of fully understanding their son. Sam's parents took this to another level by involving Sam's teacher, who was able to teach Sam's class about his condition (I'm assuming). Sam's music instructor asked him to play a solo in their school concert, which he did to the best of his ability. At the end of his solo, the audience cheered, so Sam giggled, which had a contagious effect on the audience. That night, Sam felt happy.
I, of course, have some things to say about this book. One, how did the parents not know? The illustration of Sam's parents learning of his diagnosis (they're smiling), the ways in which Sam's family had already accepted Sam's special quirks at the beginning of the story, before seeing a doctor, and how it was not Sam going to the fair by himself that alarmed his parents but the fact that he cried, not wanting to go to school, almost gives the audience the idea that his family already knew about his diagnosis. So that was odd. Two, how did the teacher not know? I am currently an education major and I can say first hand, it is so obvious to recognize these traits in an individual. Why did the teacher, at least, not speak with the parents about Sam's manner at school? She had to have noticed, in the very least, Sam was different. Three, what did the teacher say to Sam's class? The audience reading this book would wonder how, all-of-a-sudden, Sam's class went from bullying him to laughing and understanding him. The book goes from stating on one page that the parents will write the teacher a letter to the next page, where over the next few months, the students were helping and understanding Sam. I mean it is very possible she read them several books, just like Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome, to introduce them to students with disabilities. But really, the story seems to just skip a part. Four, where is the climax? There are several areas in the book where the author seems to peak at a climax, but does not focus enough for any of them to have been the climax. Five, this one's positive. I like the author's stab and hoping to convince young children to not shy away from students with disabilities in their classrooms. This is very important, and I do not think enough authors write enough books about diversity in the sense of children with disabilities. Six, I think the author does a decent job at capturing a child with Asperger Syndrome in the mild level. I've read other reviews from people who think the author failed at this part, but Asperger Syndrome is on a spectrum. Some people experience different symptoms at different intensities and it is possible Sam is one with a low intensity.
That's all I have(:

[Lovell Peak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Understanding Sam and Aspergers Syndrome is a story about a young man named Sam who is diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, which is a form of autism. The story describes events that lead up to Sam's diagnosis and gives intricate details about what Asperger's syndrome looks like for a child whose perceptions are different from others. Sam shares the same interests as everyone else but engages in those interests in ways that appear strange to others. Once Sam is discovered to have Asperger's syndrome, he and his family come together to help Sam cope with the daily challenges of Asperger's syndrome. The story highlights the importance of understanding a disability because Sam's family develops a greater understanding of Sam's disability, which brings the family closer. The genre of the book is based on self-help and fiction. The book is developmentally appropriate for children because it uses elementary words for children to understand and motivates them to use their imagination.

The quality of the book gives children an insight into how Asperger's syndrome relates to their family, friends, and classmates. The story sparks the interest of children because it helps them to understand a concept that is foreign to them, which gives children an opportunity to brainstorm how they could interact with a person who has Asperger's syndrome. The illustration of the book correlates well with the text because it depicts children playing and laughing, which attracts children to view the pictures and listen to the story. The cultural considerations of the book are apparent in this book it shows the impact of bullying a child that faces sensory processing challenges. Cultural considerations are shown in this book because it omits any negative stereotypes that stigmatize children with Asperger's syndrome. For example, Sam was highly intelligent and gifted at playing the cello, which is a great representation of people who have Asperger's syndrome. The story expressed the power of teamwork and how it impacts the lives of children who have Asperger's syndrome.

[Kayleigh Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome is a heartwarming fiction book about a little boy named Sam. Sam has a hard time making friends at school and tends to play the same song over and over again on his cello. After an incident at the fair, Sam’s parents decide to take him to the doctor. Sam’s doctor diagnosed him with Asperger Syndrome, which is a form of Autism. At the end of the story, everyone realizes that Sam is an incredible little boy with a lot to offer in the world. This book does a great job at explain what Asperger syndrome in a way that children will understand. There are a lot of aspects of the book for children to ponder if they have never come across anyone like Sam. This book definitely depicts characters that are relatable in the sense that they are family oriented and just caring overall. Understanding Sam has simply incredible illustrations! You can feel the emotions that Sam and his family are feeling and the landscaping makes it feel like you have been transported into the book. Unfortunately, there is not a wide range of diversity in this book considering Sam is the only person who has a disability. However, I do feel like the author did a great job of not creating any negative stereotypes against someone with Aspergers. There is a page that shows some of Sam’s peers making fun of him, but his teacher shuts it down the second she sees what is going on. Overall, Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome is a great read for children in PreK-3rd grade.

[Taylor Meier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading the book Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome. This is a book about a young boy named Sam. At the beginning of the book, the author tells the reader that Sam has a very hard time making friends at school, Sam doesn't like his new coat because it feels weird on his skin, and Sam had a hard time controlling his emotions. After Sam and his dog, Oscar, walked by themselves all the way to the fair to ride the ferris wheel, Sam's parent's decided it was time to take him to the doctor. Sam was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. As a future elementary school teacher, the most important aspect of this story was when the doctor told Sam's family that working together was important to helping Sam with his condition. The collaboration between the doctor, Sam's family, Sam's teacher, and Sam's school tutor will all help Sam succeed in his life. Towards the end of this story, Sam played his cello for a school concert. Everyone in town attended. After Sam finished playing his song, the entire crowd got out of their seats to cheer for him. Sam began to giggle, and he couldn't stop. The crowd began to giggle, to. This book is very well written and has very appealing illustrations.

[Primavera Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awarded the Dolly Gray Award, Understanding Sam is all about a young boy named Sam who has Aspergers. This book captures what it is truly like to have this disability, from the highs to the lows, from the accomplishments to the struggles. The artwork brings the words to life in this story. Not only can the emotions be read through the text, but they are clearly broadcasted in the artwork. The illustrator created raw emotions within each character, leaving no room for interpretation. The book is delightfully bold, bright, and colorful which helps bring a sense of positivity to the book. Books like this should be read and introduced to students, especially at a young age. Standard classrooms are filled with children from different backgrounds and leaning abilities and students will run into other people who are not like them. This book helps a young child understand a complex concept and how to react and respond to these in counters with others. In education, teaching diversity and equality is one of the key elements. With understanding of students with these disabilities, children can learn different strategies and coping skills to help them positively form relationships with others unalike them.

[Amy Clausen · Rating 2 out of 5]

"A third-person past-tense narrative tells the story of Sam, a boy with Asperger Syndrome. Positive qualities are listed first: "Sam loved to giggle...;. Sam was a happy boy." Next come some of his challenges: he is afraid of loud noises, he has trouble making friends, and he does not like change. When he leaves the house at night, walking all the way to the local fairgrounds because he loved the Ferris wheel so much, his parents know that something must be done. They take him for a check-up and receive the diagnosis. The doctors and therapists give them some suggestions for helping their son at home and at school. The book concludes with Sam playing the cello at a school concert. Because of the interesting story line, the positive approach, and the notion that others can learn to help Sam instead of expecting him to change, this is an excellent introduction to the topic. The pictures are bright and lively, showing mostly happy faces. The book concludes with 10 helpful tips to remember when a friend or a classmate has Asperger's. A useful introduction for both children and adults."

-Okay book, not great, but acceptable. A little outdated, but not offensive.
-Children’s picture book; K-2 grades, ages 4-8

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Understanding Sam was a very interesting read because the reader is made to think that his family is fully aware of him Asperger Syndrome. Throughout the book, Sam acts in unique ways and his family is very accepting of it, they believe that this is just Sam's personality. Which it is, but they are unaware of his diagnosis. Sam doesn't like for his food to touch, he learns differently than the other students, and he dresses in clothes that makes him feel comfy otherwise he'll draw attention to it all day. This book does a great job on focusing to be accepting and embracing these challenges versus changing Sam. The author has a background in specializing in children with ASD which adds value to the overall content. At the end, she includes a letter that shares tips on how to friend a student with ASD. The literary elements in this book consisted on large words, large pictures, some colorful, some dark. This would highly benefits students in elementary school to better understand students with dis-abilities. Of course, there needs to be a conversation of being respectful and mindful of others during this read.

[Stephany Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome" was written by Clarabelvan Niekerk and Liezl Venter. Niekerk also did the illustrations. Sam is a young boy who does not act the same as other children. He does not like new clothes and loud noises. School is difficult and he has trouble making friends. Eventually, Sam is diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, which helps his parents and teachers understand him better. They work with Sam and the other children in his class so that Sam is able to make friends. This book helps children understand what Asperger's Syndrome is and how it makes children different and more importantly the same. At the end of the book their are recommendations for children to help them make friends with another child who has Asperger's Syndrome. I think that many of the recommendations would help kids get along with each other whether or not they had Asperger's Syndrome. This is a great book to read aloud and discuss with kids, especially if there is a student with Asperger's in the classroom.

[Brenda Quinones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam, Emma, mom, and dad are the characters in this book.
Loved the book and the drawings. the book it’s a little long for young children, but it can be make shorter. The story describes characteristics of Asperger syndrome and the family’s uncertainty of not knowing what was happening with him and after the diagnostic the relief of knowing what was it and what to do. At the end of the book there is a letter dedicated to children from the author who is a Speech-Language Pathologist and tips for children and parents to understand better children with Asperger Syndrome and what they can do to help them and work with them.
I recommend this book because it’s a great tool to talk with children about Asperger Syndrome. The book teaches that everyone is different and special at the same time. Also teaches about empathy, love, family, respect, understanding, standing for others, acceptance, work as a team, and patience.

[Mary Cordle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome= This book was picked from the Dolly Gray Award book list for the Diversity and Social Justice: Disabilities shelf. In summary, this book is about a young boy who is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and his doctor, family, friends and school find ways to help him succeed through his challenges and with his talent for music. Teachers could use this book to teach children that everyone is different and that just because someone is labeled does not mean they are limited to their value as a person and what they can accomplish. An activity that a teacher could use in the classroom with this book is to have each student share something that they are excellent at and how if they were in Sam’s shoes, how would that activity be affected? Overall, I rate this book a 4/5 because it gives people insight into the life of someone who must deal with a genetic disorder and gives excellent illustrations to go along with the story.

[Alison Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a kid named Sam who has Asperger Syndrome. In the beginning of the book Sam is having a hard time at school making friends, and things seem to be a little different for Sam. He notices things other kids wouldn't, he is also bullied at school and is sent home. This is a good representation for students to be able connect with the story. I think that this book gives good examples of what a student with Asperger Syndrome may act like and how to react in these types of situations. The illustrations on the pages are kid friendly and keep the students interested in what Sam is going to do next. The book also has good real life examples of what students with Aspergers may encounter and I think it is important for the teacher and the student to be aware of these real life scenarios. This book gives a great understanding of the disability Asperger Syndrome.

[Ashleigh Best · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome" is a great read-aloud to use to explain Autism and Asperger Syndrome to young children. Having a sister who has Asperger Syndrome, I was able to see some similarities in the characteristics of Sam and my sister. For instance, Sam did not like his pancakes touching one another, and my sister is the same way. Although this book does not go into great depth about Asperger Syndrome, it is a great way to explain the disability to young children for them to understand why others may act differently than they do. One of the great thing that this book has is the 10 tips for helping children with Asperger Syndrome. I think this would be a great resource to have in a classroom, as it provides great visuals and examples for students to understand Asperger Syndrome, and maybe their classmates.

[Meaghan Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story won the Dolly Gray Children's literature award. This story was a little boy with Asperger Syndrome. This story takes the perspective of Sam and how some of the daily tasks are difficult for him. For example, when one of the kids took his puzzle piece, he cried and would not stop until his mom picked him up. He also did not like wearing a new coat because it was not like his old one. This story's visual style shows how Sam views the world. Since it is in the perspective of Sam, every image shown is at eye level with Sam. This may be because the author wants you to feel as though you are with Sam. Teachers may utilize this story in their book selection if they are teaching the importance of being different. It teaches the students that every child is different and they react to different things in different ways.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didn't like this book.

Once again we have a picture book where someone tells the story of an autistic boy from what they observe about him. We're staring at this child and only looking at his difficulties and struggles but we tend to forget autism is about more than the incidents which set them apart. Nowhere in this book do we see Sam as 'normal.' At all.

But autistic kids are more than the traits which are used for diagnosis. I think people forget this. We only underscore the differences, and all the ways he's 'not like us' and apart from the rest of the world. It's a shame we can't accept the Sam in this story as a normal part of our world and not someone who has to stick out like a sore thumb.

I speak this way because I'm autistic and this isn't how I want people to think of me.

[Mikayla Busse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really sweet and educational story about a young boy, named Sam, who has Asperger's Syndrome. It takes you through a day in Sam's life and what he goes through. Sam is a sweet and loving little boy. He is always so happy. However, little things like loud noises can trigger him and severely upset him. He also has a hard time making friends, as he cannot communicate like a typical child. It even takes you to where his parents received the diagnosis and how to deal with it. I think this is a good book for every kid to read in order to learn about this popular syndrome, because they might have fellow classmates with it.

[Lydia Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Early Childhood/Early Childhood Intervention Specialist Major in college, I might appreciate this book more than others, but I think it is really wonderful. It tells the story of Sam, a young boy with Asperger Syndrome, a form of Autism. It presents real life situations and examples of how Sam's disability affects his life in ways that average people wouldn't think about. In some ways, I relate to Sam, too. For example, he HATES it when his food touches! I used to feel very strongly about this as well, but I'm working on it. Another thing I liked about the book was that it included 10 tips (at the end) of how to be considerate toward people like Sam. So thoughtful.

[Alyssa Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome" by Clarabelle van Niekerk is a story about a young boy named Sam who is a young boy child like other boys his age, but has some differences. He is autistic and is not diagnosed until the end of the story. Before being diagnosed, his characteristics are described as being sensitive, having sensory issues, and crying easily. Sam's parents finally take him to a doctor where he is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and begins to receive help from the people in his life. He even is able to discover his passion and talent, playing the Cello! I liked this book as it teaches children why some people are different, especially people who are autistic.

[Jessica Mowery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam is very particular. He doesn't like his food to touch, he doesn't like school, and jackets make him itchy. One night when he runs away to the fair, his parents become very worried and couldn't understand why Sam was acting differently. His family decided that it was time to have a meeting with a doctor. The doctor diagnosed Sam with Asperger Syndrome. Sam's parents weren't exactly sure what this was or what to do but along with a group of professional, they figured out how to help Sam. This book does such a good job at explaining common characteristics of children with Asperger. It explains the condition in an easy way for children to understand as well.

[Madison Hurlbut · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this story because in this book no one understands Sam until he has a diagnosis. While a diagnosis does answer the question why is Sam different, it is just a label and educators should still be able to help Sam in the same ways without it. Plan of care shouldn't change on diagnosis alone. Also, it gives tips about children with Aspergers, but since it is apart of the autism spectrum it is different for every kid. This book does a good job at making readers more aware which is important because more people and general educators should be more knowledgable about Aspergers and helping each with such.

[Katie Louwers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam is very particular. He doesn't like his food to touch, he doesn't like school, and jackets make him itchy. One night when he runs away to the fair, his parents become very worried and couldn't understand why Sam acts differently. His family decides that it was time to have a meeting with a doctor. The doctor diagnosed Sam with Asperger Syndrome.This book does a good job at explaining characteristics of children with Aspergers. It explains the condition in an easy way for children to understand as well and the illustrations are perfect for the text. Perfect book for teaching the class about this disability.

[Keith Mannina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, it’s a decent book as an introduction to the concept of Asperger‘s spectrum disorder but not a very thorough explanation of what it is like to experience it. This book falls firmly into the area of “tolerance“ as a way to understand a new friend through the lens of a neuro-typical child. I suppose it may also be helpful for a parent to read if their neighbor has a child with high functioning autism. It barely touches on the struggles of the actual child who is on the spectrum. This book seems to be written for the outside observer, not the child or parent of the the subject of the book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love LOVED this book! When I was in school, we had classmates and friends that were in the self-contained classrooms with Autism, and one of my good friends had a brother with autism. As a kid, I didn't always know what to say, do, how to act, etc. I wish I had reads like this as a child. The message was beautiful and so special, and today, there are so many kids out there like Sam. They may not be like everyone else, but there is one thing that rings true to this day- they just want to be accepted as they are, and they especially need friends. It made me think about what my parents told me, "you don't have to understand everything or get it; just be his/her friend."