New Author "Asperger's - If You Only Knew"

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Hi,

This is my first post on any forum. I've always been reluctant to join forums and I'm sure it's due to my difficulties with social interaction. I've published a book entitled Asperger's - If You Only Knew, which is an autobiography and self-help book. It has been quite the experience as it was therapeudic and helped me understand things in a whole new way. My teenage son and I both have Asperger's Syndrome. My son was diagnosed when he was three and I was just diagnosed 2 years ago with the same. Getting a diagnosis was great because I was finally able able to put a name to my difficulties growing up. One of the main reasons I wrote the book was to offer hope and quidance to the many people out there suffering in silence. My web site is under construction at the moment, but you will be able to access it next week at www.aspergers-ifyouonlyknew.com. In the meantime, you can go to Amazon or Barnes and Noble and check out the editorial review. Let me know if anyone out there is thinking of writing also or has already written a book.

Best wishes,


Sophia Summers
Nothing is impossible, there is a solution to everything!

Hi and welcome to the aspie community..

and just like you
Quote:
"Getting a diagnosis was great because I was finally able to put a name to my difficulties growing up. One of the main reasons I wrote the book was to offer hope and quidance to the many people out there suffering in silence."

I only discovered last year July 2007 and I also suffered growing up and realize there are so many more people suffering in silent, so the more people who speak out write articles books etc the better..

I have set up a web site and written articles, my older son has now been diagnosed with non verbal learning disorder, but it was difficult as a mother not knowing up until now. I have chosen not to write a book but write my story on line.. and share my site with as many other aspies as I can, as feel we can learn so much from each other.

Last edited by asplanet on 03 Feb 2008, 2:13 am, edited 2 times in total.

Hi Sophia,

I've been writing my aspie blog as if it were chapters in a book - it's unstructured but has a lot of info.

(see my sig).

Hi Gavin,

Thank you for your post. I thoroughly enjoyed your site. It's both interesting and informative - exactly what we all need. I'm sure it has helped a lot of people understand themselves and their loved ones...and will benefit many more. Keep it up!

Sophia

Hi Sophia

Hope I did not offend you with my first post, tend to say what I think (the aspie in me , anyway have changed it a little now

I do not know if you have heard of Jen Birch, anyway here is a link to her book review/site
Congratulations! It's Asperger Syndrome by Jen Birch
http://asplanet.info/forum/index.php?topic=62.0

She has just completed an online interview for me and should be adding tomorrow, may interest you.

Look froward to reading your book and seeing your site
Regards Alyson

Hi Alyson,

I sent you a post but I don't think it went through. By the way, no offence taken. I tend to say what I think as well. Great job on your web site, I enjoyed it tremendously. Your story will touch many lives and that's the biggest accomplishment you can achieve. I'll keep checking your web site from time to time. It's really interesting.

As I mentionned before, this is the first time I've ever used a forum. I must say, it feels like home to me and I'm glad I registered. Thank you for the link by Jen Birch, I'll be sure to check out the online interview you did with her.

I hope you enjoy my book. Please let me know what you thought of it. Keep your web site going and remember --- Nothing is impossible, there's a solution to everything.

Best wishes,

Sophia Summers

Hi Sophia

Thanks for that and you words of encouragement - I can stop being so paranoid now

Sorry did not receive post, but feel free to contact me any time via my web site (email via contacts)

Quote: "Nothing is impossible, there's a solution to everything" I agree 100%, I have given up listening to others all the time, and quite often they have all the answers for not doing things. Now I know who I am I do listen and believe in myself...

Look forward to reading your book / viewing your web site
Take care Alyson

Hi,

It's been a while since I visited this post. I was wondering if anyone had the chance to read my book yet "Asperger's - If You Only Knew". If so, what were your thoughts on it. If not, you can visit my website www.aspergers-ifyouonlyknew.com and click on iUniverse or amazon.com to browse inside. I value your opinions above all else and I'm hoping for constructive feedback from my fellow aspies.

All the best,


Sophia Summers

Hello -

I will likely read it, though just not now. I'm working on my own autobiography-as-vehicle-for-philosophy book. Actually started the project before I heard of AS. The AS element sort of grew into it.

Anyway, I don't want to taint my own unique view or unconsciously use too much of someone else's influence, so I'm trying to keep my distance from any works that are too similar to mine. But once I'm done, I'll be eagerly reading others' accounts!

- Jo

Also adding...

As Autism is becoming the latest disorder-de-jour, I suspect we'll see lots of books like yours (and mine if I ever get it finished) popping onto the shelves. These I hope will create a nice counter-balance to what is already a plethora of misinformation.

It's important I think for people to see the world from our POV.


- Jo; Having overcome a few mountains of writer's blocks, off tomorrow to write, write, write!

Hi JoJerome,

Congratulations on your book!! !
Yes, there are many books out there but as you said, it's important for people to see the world from our POV. Autism is one of the most fascinating conditions in the history of mental health. It also is one of the most mysterious conditions.
Autobiographies written by people with Autism throughout the spectrum are one of the most valuable tools we can offer to society. Imagine if our scientists conducted a study based on these autobiographies. What do you think would happen?

I'm anxious to read your book. Let me know when you publish it.

Cool - and I look forward to reading yours!

One question: As yours is autobiographical, did you use your real name? I'm still undecided. I figured at first I'd change mine and other major players' names to help avoid the inevitable how-dare-you-mention-me-without-permission. But the more I read about it, the more it seems the libel laws here in America are pretty generous to the authors. The way I'm reading it, someone would have to be able to prove that the express purpose of the book was to ruin their lives specifically.

I'm already fuzzing details enough to make good on my disclaimer, "The only people who will know I'm talking about you are other people who were involved. And they already know you're a moron."

... Or some slightly more polite version of that.


- Jo

Hi Jo-Jerome,

How is your book coming along? Sorry my reply is so late I've been extremely busy these days. To answer your question, I didn't use my real name and all the names in my book have also been changed. I did this to protect my son, myself and my family. I'm glad I did it that way. Publishing an autobiography puts you in a vulnerable position to begin with. Also, by changing names, I was able to be more candid about our lives. It's always a good idea to research libel laws. I did my research before starting my book so that I would be able to write without reservations. You don't want to second guess yourself for fear of being sued. Besides, writing is hard enough as it is. Using real names in a book is a personal decision. I hope my answer was helpful.

Take care,