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). 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. 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. Likewise, finding an adult Aspie support group was a watershed moment for Michelle and one that I can relate to strongly as well. It took getting my diagnosis to finally understand the social mechanics of mutual misunderstandings as to why such things happen. 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. 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.
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