Build Your Own Life - by Wendy Lawson

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Build Your Own Life: A Self-help Guide for Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome (2003) written by Wendy Lawson is an example of a self-help guide to establish an independant life under the circumstances of having an Asperger Syndrom diagnosis. The book begins with explaining the difficulties an Asperger mind is facing in a neurotypical world and how to relate to them. Then the author uses the construction of a house as a metaphor to describe the different phases in creating an existence. For the foundation to be solid you have to base your life on a good selfesteem and values. You have to set walls between you and the world in order to contain your thoughts and protect you from lifes challenges and you wil need to make windows to see the world and to let the world look in. Rooms for daily habitation, for sharing thoughts and hiding unpleasent memorys will have to be planned. To supply you with inspiration and ideas from the outside you will need to establish sufficient plumbing and wiring. Throughout the construction process you have to erect scaffolding i.e. family, personal friends and professionals to support your work.

It sounds like a good guide to life for anyone, not just aspies!