This was an excellent book. As the mother of a son recently diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, I have found myself consumed by the following:

1. Learning how to correctly spell Asperger’s without having to look it up;
2. Learn more about the syndrome and finding strategies and best practices to help my son thrive in the demands of a neurotypical world.

David Finch proves himself to be a very likeable subject and I found myself rooting for him, and could easily see my son in parts of Finch.

While I did enjoy the whole book, I found this section alone to be worth the price:

“Prior to my diagnosis, such a revelation would not have been possible. Perhaps that’s what a diagnosis does: it helps you to understand that you have unique operating parameters—unique limitations and preferences. Knowing why you don’t naturally fit in alleviates the shame and embarrassment. (That’s my brain, folks. Can’t help it. Who wants more champagne?) My diagnosis gave me an explanation as to why I was relatively alone in my circumstances whenever I went places, and that knowledge somehow made me feel less lonely. Best of all, I wouldn’t have to use a persona anymore. I could just be me. ”

Finch, David (2012). The Journal of Best Practices (p. 211). Simon & Schuster, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Keeping this in mind when I work with my sweet boy, or work with the school to make accommodations is priceless. Reminding myself, my son and others that there is nothing ‘wrong’ with him, just that he operates a little differently, takes the shame and the pressure off of the work of helping him thrive in a world where people are programmed differently from him.

Whether or not your life is touched by Asperger’s Syndrome, it is impossible to read the book and not be touched by David Finch’s journey.