I Am Utterly Unique. Celebrating the Strengths of Children with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism

Customer Reviews

I am utterly unique

2008-01-23
Disappointing. Good for young children perhaps, but not a lot of content for the money

a positive outlook for kids with asd

2008-01-08
We loved this book though at first we were surprised it was so simply written. Appears to be for younger kids as there is very little text but the message was great for my 12yo. He responded well to it and got a needed self esteem boost. That was good enough for me.

A wonderful additon to books on autism

2006-12-01
What a great book and a blessing to those children with Asperger's Syndrome and high functioning autism. This positive, up-beat book will delight any child with autism, encouraging them and reinforce their positive qualities.
Another reason why this is such a great book is that it will alert the reader, whether it's a parent, grandparent, or older sibling, to all these positive qualities that a child with Asperger's has; qualities that might not otherwise be recognized.
The illustrations are absolutely perfect. Very kid-like pictures add just the right touch to complement an already terrific book.

Especially recommended for families with Asperger Syndrome children.

2006-10-08
Written by Elaine Marie Larson and illustrated by Vivian Strand, I Am Utterly Unique: Celebrating The Strengths Of Children With Asperger Syndrome And High-Functioning Autism is a very special alphabet book with each letter of the alphabet corresponds to a positive quality or a strength found among children with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism. From A for "I am an Animal Lover" to L for "I like to Learn" to T for "I Tell the Truth", the alphabet, phrases and simple color pictures offer an overall message of positive self-esteem. Especially recommended for families with Asperger Syndrome children.

Celebrate the Autism Experience!

2006-06-16
This is the kind of book that deserves a place of honor. I want more books like this.

All too many cooks try to spoil the broth, in this case neurotypicals (NT) trying to "repair" people on the autism/Asperger's (a/A) spectrum. What is so terrible about being on the spectrum? Granted, the social difficulties are the worst part of it. When you consider the original way of thinking and the wonderful gifts of abstraction, then why try to force people with autism to fit a Procrustean bed of complied responses to appease the NT population? The world is for everybody and not just the NT population and this book does an exemplary job of stressing this point.

I love the way this book emphasizes the originality people with autism have; I love the way this author appears to be totally accepting and not trying to fix anyone.

The Byrds' 1965 classic, "All I Really Want to Do" seems so a propos; the lyrics "I ain't looking for you to see like me, feel like me or be like me." How about applying that fair minded approach to the a/A world? Instead of making people with autism continue trying to appease the NT world, just accept that there is no need to make others "see like, feel like or be like" what and who they are not.

This book is not limited to children; many adults will love it, especially those on the spectrum and/or those who have children who are on the spectrum. It makes me want to do a parody of the dreadfully inane "If You're Happy And You Know It" which I have never liked, by saying, "If You're Autistic And You Know It, Celebrate!" That's right, celebrate! Do an individual dance and just be true to yourself. Beat on a different drum and play a unique and individual tune.

Being able to give one's honest opinion instead of echoing the prevailing sentiment to appease others ("giving the desired response," as Donna Williams so aptly says in her books about autism) is empowering; it is the key to self respect.

I wish I had this book when I was a child. It is a giant step towards teaching acceptance and in enjoying one's own individual quirks; perks and creativity.

Great idea for a book!

2008-05-08
I got this book for my son, who is high functioning and he has really enjoyed it and we have added it to our night time routine. While not all the characteristics apply exactly to him (he laughs at "F" which is "I have fantastic focus", because he doesn't at all, and he knows it!) We have also used as a template to do our own alphabet book, geared more specific to him. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that it is a little more simplistic than I had wanted. The great thing about this book is that it gives these guys positive aspects of autism instead of more of what they "can't" do.

Fabulous Alphabet Book for ASD kids!

2008-04-25
My son really enjoyed reading this book with me! He was very proud as each letter referenced a wonderful, unique quality about him. What a gift to celebrate together!

Great book despite writer's confusion over readers' age

2008-03-04
The traits commonly associated with Asperger's syndrome (one of the autism spectrum disorders) are listed out in alliterative alphabetical order-I Like to Learn, I am Utterly Unique, I am a Knowledgable Kid...etc. What I love about this book is the positive spin it puts on children with AS. It doesn't attempt to fix them, it's a moral booster. The only thing I don't like is that, by the time a child with AS gets to the point of appreciating a book like this, an alphabet book can be seen as insulting to his intelligence.
Other than that, this is another great motivational book for a child with AS-or really, any highly-funtioning form of autism-that shows the benefits of being a kid who's really good at a number of things. Great job done by the author not trying to "fix" the children reading this book.

Good, but good for younger kids

2008-03-02
I think the book is great. I love the positive view!

It just wasn't right for what I was looking for. It's definitely geared toward a younger audience than my 11 year old son.

Positive self reflection

2008-01-23
Gave this to my nephew and he loves it. The book emphasizes a child's positive attributes by useing the letters of the alphabet. this is very encouraging and uplifting to a child who can easily be stigmatized by societies negative views of autism. Empowering! Eye opening to adults too, to realize that it is not a negative thing to be a child with autism.