I'm Not Broken, I'm Just Different: A Story of Living with Asperger's Syndrome

This SECOND EDITION incorporates the sequel 'Wings to fly' with its new material on the unique difficulties and gifts of adult Asperger's, and features a comprehensive section by Professor Tony Attwood. Linda's book takes us to places we have never been, to places of the heart, teaching us to have the courage to look at life through the eyes of others. Linda chronicles her life with her son from his birth, covering the early years, teen years to adulthood. It follows the roller coaster ride from the bizarre to the obscene, the poetic and the hilarious, the heartache and the joy. The story embraces the muddled, hilarious stumbling between two worlds, linked by love-worlds that seemed so desperately different at first view; hand in hand, mother and son. A boy obsessed with the unfathomable, a mother obsessed with understanding him. Linda has poignantly captured the struggle of living with a child who appears to see the world through broken glass. Asperger's is like watching a child trying to play hopscotch when he can't see the squares, and everyone else can. It is a book that informs about Asperger's Syndrome in a uniquely accessible way, pulling no punches, but is buoyant with hope and spirit. I am very pleased to be involved with Linda's book, 'I'm not broken, I'm just different'. I think we both have a very important message and I certainly endorse Linda's positive approach. I know it will change the lives of many families. Professor Tony Attwood As a counsellor I have discovered a number of special pearls, a couple of which are found in Linda and Bronson's journey. This is a timely book with a special message. Dr Steele Fitchett This is a long awaited book. It is wonderfully creative and scientific. Here is a person who so eloquently and succinctly is able to verbalize so much of what I experience in my daily practice. I was touched and moved; and yet heartened by Linda's sound, logical and narrative style. Linda and Bronson have a great relationship; it's entertaining to watch them bounce off each other. She enjoys him regardless of how he reacts, and that is one of the finest assets a mother can offer. Dr John Miller

About the Author :
Linda was born and raised in Cooranbong, a small country town on the east coast of Australia, near Lake Macquarie. Her friends tell her she should be a stand-up comedienne, which is a good way to terrify Linda; she would rather write and paint. Linda writes regularly for the local Gazette, and gives author talks to support groups for the Autism spectrum. She is a passionate advocate for Asperger's and disability rights. A Curious & Inelegant Childhood was Linda's first published book. She uploaded many of her warm and humorous stories to 'The Making of Modern Australia' website, run by the ABC, where they regularly ended up in the Highest Rated section. Her story A Dangerous Time was chosen by the producers as one of a few Featured Stories. Her stories also landed on top of the pile with readers and she caught the eye of a publisher. I'm not broken, I'm just different is Linda's second book. She has written and illustrated a companion book for children, which also deals with Asperger's, Callan the Chameleon. Linda is currently working on her next novella; based on her nursing training and experience. She has written and illustrated several other children's books, including The Frog that Hiccupped, and Under the Bracken Fern, a 'children's story for adults' dealing with child abuse. A former register nurse in aged care and community health, Linda has experience as a carer. With this background, and a lot of life experience in general, she feels she has plenty more to write about. Visit her author site at www.lindaruthbrooks.com