Review

ÔÇ£For anyone who has difficulty fitting in, this book is fantastic.ÔÇØ
ÔÇöTemple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures

ÔÇ£In a love poem to his wife, Pedro Salinas, the Spanish poet, wrote,┬áÔÇÿGlory to the differences / between you and me.ÔÇÖ John Robison teaches us to┬ácelebrate differences
like Salinas did, but also offers clear insight and valuable┬áadvice on how to cope with the challenges that being different can create.┬áThis book transcends the specific case of AspergerÔÇÖs syndrome and┬áis a lesson in humanity and the human condition.ÔÇØ
ÔÇöAlvaro Pascual-Leone, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard Medical School┬áand Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

ÔÇ£Anyone with AspergerÔÇÖs, if not everyone else, will derive knowledge and┬ápleasure from the wonderful stories told in John Elder RobisonÔÇÖs newest book,┬áBe Different. Clearly, John is one of our communityÔÇÖs leading voices.ÔÇØ
ÔÇöMichael John Carley, author of AspergerÔÇÖs from the Inside Out┬áand executive director of GRASP and ASTEP

ÔÇ£Be Different is a fascinating and unique guide for young people┬áwho may be struggling with autism and feel ÔÇÿout of syncÔÇÖ with the┬áworld around them. John shares personal insights about growing up,┬áfeeling apart from his peers, and learning to modify his socializing skills┬áand harness his gifts to discover his path to a successful life.ÔÇØ
ÔÇöMark Roithmayr, president of Autism Speaks

ÔÇ£Robison offers down-to-earth life advice for his ÔÇ£AspieÔÇØ peers and their friends, families, and teachers...recommended reading for anyone seeking to understand Aspergian children and adultsÔÇØ ÔÇö_Kirkus_

"" ...provides incredibly helpful advice to families learning to live with these challenges. RobisonÔÇÖs clear writing provides substantial insight into the mind of someone whose disorder makes clarity very, very difficult...a valuable read.""_ÔǼ--Booklist
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Product Description

ÔÇ£I believe those of us with AspergerÔÇÖs are here for a reason, and we have much to offer. This book will help you bring out those gifts.ÔÇØ

In his bestselling memoir,┬á_Look Me in the Eye_, John Elder Robison described growing up with AspergerÔÇÖs syndrome at a time when the diagnosis didnÔÇÖt exist. He was intelligent but socially isolated; his talents won him jobs with toy makers and rock bands but did little to endear him to authority figures and classmates, who were put off by his inclination to blurt out non sequiturs and avoid eye contact.

By the time he was diagnosed at age forty, John had already developed a myriad of coping strategies that helped him achieve a seemingly normal, even highly successful, life. In _Be Different_, Robison shares a new batch of endearing stories
about his childhood, adolescence, and young adult years, giving the reader a rare window into the Aspergian mind.

In each story, he offers practical adviceÔÇöfor Aspergians and indeed for anyone who feels ÔÇ£differentÔÇØÔÇöon how to improve the weak communication and social skills that keep so many people from taking full advantage of their often remarkable gifts. With his trademark honesty and unapologetic eccentricity, Robison addresses questions like:

ÔÇó How to read others and follow their behaviors when in uncertain social situations
ÔÇó Why manners matter
ÔÇó How to harness your powers of concentration to master difficult skills
ÔÇó How to deal with bullies
ÔÇó When to make an effort to fit in, and when to embrace eccentricity
ÔÇó How to identify special gifts and use them to your advantage

Every person, Aspergian or not, has something unique to offer the world, and every person has the capacity to create strong, loving bonds with their friends and family. _Be Different_ will help readers and those they love find their path to success.