Customer Reviews
Excellent 
2008-03-02
This book is intended for a person with Asperger's however, it can also be used by a child being bullied.
Freaks, Geeks & Asperger Syndrome 2008-02-09
This is a MUST READ for everyone who has a child or adult in the Autistic Spectrom!! Gives first hand information into the reasons why they react like they do to different situations daily in life!! Thanks to the author, Luke Jackson, we can now have a better insite into how to help them have less stress and help ourselves in the process!! Verleen (our 17 yr old grandson, Zachary has AS)
No longer alone... 2008-01-28
My son read this book when at age 12, we finally began to learn the reasons why he felt so "different." Reading Luke's book he laughed aloud and wanted to share everything Luke had to say. His self-image shot up as he realized he was not alone, indeed not a "freak," but that many other children and adults share the same feelings and frustrations as he. My son became much more outgoing and willing to put himself "out there." He's more accepting of himself and others now. This book really freed my son to embrace who he is. What more could a parent want for their child? Bravo, Luke, for sharing your life! It is a must read for every child/teen with Aspergers and for their teachers, friends and loved ones as well.
Insight into Aspergers Syndrome 
2008-01-21
This book is written by a 13 year old, and talks about the daily challenges and degrees of variance in children with Aspergers. I hope that my 10 year old will warm up to reading this as I think reading from another child's perspective will help him know he is not the only kid dealing with the social challenges of Aspergers. It was easy to read, and a good book for parents, teachers and caregivers of children on with this autistic related disorder. If you know how they are thinking, it helps you understand how to help you child.
A Must Read 2007-12-13
Anyone who knows an adolescent with Asperger Syndrome should read this book. Its an insightful look at the world, through a child with Apsergers eyes. It is for parents, teachers & kids.
Hardly a freak or a geek... 2007-11-08
Have you ever been called a freak or a geek? Have you ever felt like one? Luke Jackson is 13 years old and has Asperger Syndrome. Over the years Luke has learned to laugh at such names but there are other aspects of life which are more difficult. Adolescence and the teenage years are a minefield of emotions, transitions and decisions and when a child has Asperger Syndrome, the result is often explosive.
Luke has three sisters and one brother in various stages of their adolescent and teenage years but he is acutely aware of just how different he is and how little information is available for adolescents like himself.
Drawing from his own experiences and gaining information from his teenage brother and sisters, he wrote this enlightening, honest and witty book in an attempt to address difficult topics such as bullying, friendships, when and how to tell others about AS, school problems, dating, relationships and morality.
Luke writes briefly about his younger autistic and AD/HD brothers, providing amusing insights into the antics of his younger years and advice for parents, carers and teachers of younger AS children. However, his main reason for writing was because "so many books are written about us, but none are written directly to adolescents with Asperger Syndrome. I thought I would write one in the hope that we could all learn together."
I wish I had read this sooner. 2007-07-31
I saw this book several years ago when my son was being tested for the third time, and I had come to believe that he had Asperger Syndrome. I thought, at that time, that I would get this book in a few years when he was a teen. I didn't think it would apply to the 9 year old that he was then. Once again, we got a muddled mess of diagnoses and recommendations, but nothing that really got to the heart of what my son was dealing with. I filed the report away and continued working with my son based on the research I was finding on AS. My son has made remarkable progress, but still struggles in some areas. I recently read Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence
, now that my son is a teen, and gave it to him. I found so much of my son in Luke. I only wish I had read this book when I first saw it. I would have handed it to the psychotherapist who refused to diagnose my son because, in her opinion, autism is a "terrible thing" that I wouldn't want my son to be labeled. Luke didn't surprise us with anything since we have been living it for 13 years, but it encouraged my son to read Luke's insight and know that it's really ok to be himself. Like my son, Luke is intelligent and charming. I am recommending this book to my daughter, because my 19 month old grandson has many of the same traits that my son had at that age. My grandson is just now beginning the testing process, and I'm hoping that there has been enough progress in the understanding of autism for him to get an accurate diagnosis. I highly recommend this book to anyone who lives with, teaches, works with or is in a position to diagnose a person with Asperger Syndrome. It also has practical information for preteens and teens with AS.
Not my first choice 
2007-06-05
Maybe my expectations were a little too high.
I was looking for a book to offer practical socializing advise for our 13 year old AS son as well as a book that would help him understand the issues that he deals with. This book was a little helpful and Luke does have a sense of humor but I did not feel comfortable sharing this book with my son. However, I do recommend "Can I tell you about Aspergers" by Jude Welton. I shared this book with our son and it was like a "light-bulb" went off in his head. I also recommend "Can I tell you about Aspergers" as a source to share with teachers and compassionate classmates (approximately 8 to 15 years old) as a way of explaining the responses of their AS student or classmate.
Some of the phrasing that Luke used in "Freaks, Geeks and ..." was a bit difficult to understand. This is probably due to the fact that Luke is British so some terms that he used were not familiar to this American reader.
In conclusion, I want to congratulate Luke for writing this book and sharing his story with others. This is probably a great accomplishment for him and his mother should be very proud of the continued support that she gives to her children. This book might be useful for parents to read but I would recommend borrowing it verses buying it (or buy used). I would highly recommend that you read the book "Can I tell you about Aspergers" as well.
Laurie - From Maryland
freaks,geeks and aspergers syndrome: a user guide to adolescence 2007-05-20
Great book. Helped me to understand what was going on inside my son's head. very helpful
Great Book 2007-05-14
My four year old niece was just diagnosed with Asperger's so I have been reading anything I can get my hands on to understand her. This book is very well written by a 13 year old boy. His sense of humor and his descriptions of what it is like to see the world from a different point of view is quite informative. Most of us NTs (I learned that that is the description used by those who are not on the autism spectum) have an idea that people with this syndrome cannot relate to the world and the people in it. While it may be difficult for them, this boy proves otherwise and was such an encouragement and helped me understand a little more what my niece might be going through as she lives in this world. This book is definately recommended for anyone who would like to understand what life is like for anyone with this syndrome.
