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Finding a Different Kind of Normal: Misadventures with Asperger Syndrome Paperback – January 6, 2006

by Yenn Purkis (Author), Donna Williams (Foreword)
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 20 ratings
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Jeanette Purkis spent her early life reacting violently against her feelings of embarrassment, anger and confusion about her 'difference' from other people. She was unaware until well into adulthood that everything she found difficult, including her lack of success in forming relationships, could be a result of having Asperger Syndrome.

Used to being a misfit from a very young age, Jeanette found that being a member of a group in which she had a label - Jeanette the Communist; Jeanette, Enemy of the State; Jeanette the convict; Jeanette the drug addict - gave her a sense of order she could depend on, particularly in prison, where each day had a set routine and the inmates accepted her because of her rebel attitude. Finally diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at the age of 20, the author only began to accept her diagnosis some years later when she felt for the first time that she might learn to cope with being herself.

Jeanette's remarkable life and her journey towards finding a different kind of normal is compelling and inspiring reading for people with autism spectrum disorders, and those living or working with them.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    192 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Jessica Kingsley Publishers
  4. Publication date
    January 6, 2006
  5. Dimensions
    6.22 x 0.35 x 9.17 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1843104164
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1843104162
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Review

This is a well written and remarkable account of the life story of Jeanette Purkis, who has Asperger Syndrome.The book gives lots of examples of Jeanette's survival mechanism - to play whatever role was expected of her . Her inability to communicate her feelings and the reasons for her actions led to frequent misunderstandings. Not knowing the `rules' of relationships also resulted in Jeanette being used by others. It was quite compelling reading, with Jeanette's life unfolding like a novel. Overall, I would recommend this book to professionals and parents or carers of those with Asperger Syndrome. Teenagers and adults with autistic spectrum disorders may also find it helpful to read Jeanette's journey towards finding a 'different kind of normal . Author: NAPLIC

Subtitled 'Misadventures with Asperger Syndrome', with a Foreword written by Donna Williams. Jeanette's journey has been far from easy - she was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome whilst serving a prison sentence. Her story is harrowing at times but extremely informative for those wanting to understand more of the challenges that a person with Asperger Syndrome has to live with and manage. Author: The Spectrum

Finding A Different Kind of Normal offers straightforward and extremely valuable introspective advice and hope for young people with ASD and their families, this advice is oftentimes best heard from individuals who live everyday with autism spectrum disorders. The hope is something we all can learn from. Author: Dennis Debbaudt's Autism Risk and Safety Newsletter

This autobiography demonstrates the impact of undiagnosed Asperger Syndrome on the author's childhood, adolescence and early adult life. Jeanette Purkis responds to a tortuous awareness of her difference by endeavouring to mould herself into shapes that others will find acceptable. With the lack of awareness of social rules and inability to read other's facial expressions that is characteristic of autism spectrum disorders, her quest is further complicated when she looks to addicts, criminals and militant political activists as role models. Author: HCPJ Magazine

There are so few books written by people with Asperger's that I would rate Finding a different kind of normal essential reading in terms of the insights it offers into the condition - and ultimately the uplift and inspiration it gives as we see Jeanette conquer her difficulties, find self-acceptance and get the support she needs. I would commend it to those working in the mental health services and in prisons and to those with an interest in Asperger's syndrome, self- harming behaviours and addictions. Author: HCPJ Magazine

I Think that this is a bookt that all sufferers of Autism or Aspergers syndrome should try to read.. I Woiuld like to say thank you to Jeanette for sharing her story. Author: BFKBooks - The Bookfriends Kingdom blog

This powerful autobiography is wrtiten without embellishment to provide an open and frank look at the author's life. Her loneliness, confusion and vulnerability whilst growing up are apparent as, having not fitted in from a young age, she adopts a series of different indentities from Christian to Communist, criminal and drug addict before being diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and then finally coming to terms with who she is. Author: Youthmind

Book Description

Compelling and beautifully written autobiographical account of a remarkable life lived with Asperger Syndrome (ASD)

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jessica Kingsley Publishers (January 6, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1843104164
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1843104162
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.22 x 0.35 x 9.17 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 20 ratings

About the author

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Jeannette Purkis

Jeannette Purkis

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Yenn (formerly Jeanette) Purkis is an autistic author, advocate and presenter. Yenn has seven published books on elements of autism. Yenn lives in Canberra, Australia.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
20 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Debbie Denenburg
5.0 out of 5 stars Raw and enlightening
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2014
Verified Purchase
I could not put this book down. It is an exceptionally well written autobiography that is breathtakingly honest. Thank you Jeannette for sharing your story with the world. It is a stellar example of what it means to grow up with a condition that clouds your judgment. It illustrates what happens when help comes along to assist you in figuring it all out and making some changes that will improve the quality of life. I have Aspergers and I related to it very well even though my own experiences were drastically different.
One person found this helpful
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Suzie
4.0 out of 5 stars Dark But Beautiful Honesty
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2006
With all due respect to another reviewer here, I would not describe this as a humorous book. The themes of violence and drug addiction don't naturally lend themselves to comedy. Personally I think you'd have to be a bit sick to laugh at the author's very painful story. It definitely does not show "the fun side to having Asperger's Syndrome". If anything it is quite the opposite. Sorry Beetlebangs1964 but did you actually read this book?

The author has succeeded in describing her life before she knew she had Asperger Syndrome and resisting the temptation to apply retrospective wisdom, capturing perfectly what it is like to see everything going wrong in your life and not knowing why. Neither does she shy away from dark thoughts and feelings... in that way most typical of people on the spectrum she is frank and honest, confronting the reader with sometimes harsh realities. A book like this should change you a little bit, and this one does.

That said, this is still an accessible read and is ultimately very positive and hopeful. It proves that no matter how big a hole you get yourself in to or how desperate things may seem, there is always a way forward. I don't think you can underestimate what a big step it must have been for the author to talk so publicly about these most difficult times in her life, and hopefully her generosity in sharing her experiences will help others who have faced similar challenges.

As with any auto-biography this is the story of part of one persons life, not a description of Asperger's syndrome, and I cannot stress enough to the casual reader that Asperger Syndrome does not cause or result in criminal or violent behaviour and is not at all characterised by such. The author explains herself "I tend to think we are all given a set of circumstances to deal with and that we have to do the best with what we have at our disposal". She has just happened to have a "somewhat dark and bizarre life". You probably have to already have some knowledge about what Asperger Syndrome is I think to see how it fits in to that picture, but nonetheless this is a very worthwhile read.
13 people found this helpful
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shaquaria reid
3.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2018
Verified Purchase
Was a good book but a bit repetitive, it was interesting to watch her life unfold and manifest at the same time.
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Top reviews from other countries

Margot Tesch
4.0 out of 5 stars Understanding autism
Reviewed in Australia on December 16, 2016
Verified Purchase
A great read. I read it in a few days. Jeanette really finds her voice and takes us on a tumultuous ride as she reverals the challenges she faced and wrong turns taken. It gives insight into autism, including a sense of awe at her obvious remarkable talents. I recommend this book.
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