Finding Kansas: living and decoding Asperger's syndrome
Description
Finding Kansas is a memoir like no other, written by an unlikely author who at first never dreamed he would find even one reader. When he was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at age 20, Aaron Likens began to collect his thoughts and experiences on paper-the highs, the lows, the challenges, and the unexpected joys. What he found was hope -- not only for himself, but also for others with Asperger's. Now a sought-after speaker and blogger, he is passionate about sharing his insights into this often misunderstood condition.
Aaron has another passion, too: the world of auto racing. A successful flag man at racing events across the country, Aaron calls racing his Kansas-a place where he feels safe, confident, and normal. For others on the autism spectrum, Kansas might be trains, history, or the weather. It is here where, like Aaron, they find freedom, and the possibility for growth and change
Finding Kansas brings us into Aaron's world and, in the process, offers a richly observed, deeply thoughtful, and sometimes painful picture of what it's like to live on the autism spectrum.
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From the Book - First edition.
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Published Reviews
Library Journal Review
Likens, who was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at 20, has written not a self-help book but a rigorous examination of his life so far. Similar to Temple Grandin's first book, Emergence, this title provides a unique window into a complex inner world. Likens describes the joys in his life: auto racing, race-flagging, the comfort of rule-based games, even airport layovers. He also explains his concept of Kansas-a place where he feels calm, capable, and whole. Likens is honest about painful moments too, from the former girlfriend who told him no one would want to date a person with Asperger's, to his hatred of school, to his opinion that he is completely unlikable. Aaron is an affecting writer and speaker for Asperger's. VERDICT This absorbing and ultimately hopeful book is recommended for young people with Asperger's and their family, friends, and colleagues, as well as for fans of Grandin and of John Elder Robison's Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's. A perfect pick for April, which is Autism Awareness Month.-Elizabeth Safford, Nevins Memorial Lib., Methuen, MA (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Library Journal Reviews
Likens, who was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at 20, has written not a self-help book but a rigorous examination of his life so far. Similar to Temple Grandin's first book, Emergence, this title provides a unique window into a complex inner world. Likens describes the joys in his life: auto racing, race-flagging, the comfort of rule-based games, even airport layovers. He also explains his concept of Kansas—a place where he feels calm, capable, and whole. Likens is honest about painful moments too, from the former girlfriend who told him no one would want to date a person with Asperger's, to his hatred of school, to his opinion that he is completely unlikable. Aaron is an affecting writer and speaker for Asperger's. VERDICT This absorbing and ultimately hopeful book is recommended for young people with Asperger's and their family, friends, and colleagues, as well as for fans of Grandin and of John Elder Robison's Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's. A perfect pick for April, which is Autism Awareness Month.—Elizabeth Safford, Nevins Memorial Lib., Methuen, MA
[Page 90]. (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.